Limerick celebrates 10 year anniversary of Marriage Equality in Ireland

IRELAND'S same-sex marriage referendum will be celebrated 10 years after it was passed in 2015.

This May, Limerick groups will come together to celebrate the landmark marriage equality referendum which passed by popular vote on May 22, 2015.

Regarded as a social revolution, Ireland made history in 2015 by becoming the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through a national referendum.

Voter turnout for the referendum was exceptionally high and was carried by a significant majority in Limerick. 

To celebrate this historic day, activists have come together to plan a series of events in Limerick across the week of May 19 to 25.

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The  celebrations will begin at the People's Museum of Limerick on Monday, May 19, with a panel discussion from 6-8pm  featuring David Cuddihy, Chair of Limerick’s Yes Campaign, Jenny Blake, Canvassing co-ordinator, Limerick’s Yes Campaign, and Adam Long, Board Member of national LGBT Federation.

From May 19 to 23, local organisation GOSHH will host an exhibition at 18 Davis Street in the city. 

The display will feature photographs and personal stories from the time of the referendum, offering an intimate look at the emotions and efforts that were  behind the campaign.

The Rising of the Women will host a performance of The Morning After the Life Before at 8pm, on Saturday, May 24.    

Written and performed by Ann Blake alongside Lucia Smyth, the play recounts Blake’s personal journey of coming out and the societal transformation that followed the referendum. 

Throughout the week, GOSHH, Limerick Pride, and Mammies for Trans Rights will be taking part in various radio, podcast, and print features on Limerick Leader, Live 95FM, and Limerick Post.

Richard Lynch, Limerick Pride PRO said, “It was a beautiful moment when the people of Ireland came out to vote and to show how much they cared about their fellow humans and their right to love who they want to love.”