May 23rd 2015 was an immensely important day for Ireland as it was the day the marriage equality referendum took place.
1.2 million people voted for same sex marriage to become legal and the scenes of jubilation around the country will be remembered for years to come.
At today’s Dáil meeting, Sinn Féin TD, Padraig MacLochlainn read out a letter he received calling for May 23rd to become a bank holiday.
Panti pictured at Dublin Castle after the bill was passed
An excerpt from the letter read: “In a hundred years time the 23rd of May will be seen not Ireland’s, but one of humanity’s proudest moments because it was a day when equality conquered fear”.
“Perhaps May 23rd should become a bank holiday, and called equality day? To remind future generations of the significance of not just our emancipation, but the equality of every citizen.”
Ireland is the first country to introduce legal same sex marriage by a voting method.
