Ireland celebrates after huge 'yes' to gay marriage

Dublin

IRELAND on Sunday celebrated a historic referendum approving gay marriage, as the once all-powerful Catholic Church reflected on the need for a "reality check" to keep in touch with changing times.

Jubilant "Yes" supporters partied into the night after final results on Saturday showed 62 per cent of votes in favour and 38 per cent against in a country where being gay was a crime until 1993.