Ireland Celebrates First Gay Marriages as Referendum Goes into Effect

Gay marriage has officially been enforced in Ireland. The traditionally conservative catholic country legalized gay marriages via a referendum back in May.

The nation celebrated its first gay marriages this Tuesday as couples flocked to multiple locations where they were allowed to change their civil partnerships into marriages. The first couple to sign a marriage license was Cormac Gollogly and Richard Dowling.

"It was great to get it done so early ... to be the first in Ireland," Gollogly said reported by ABC News.

His partner of 12 years, Dowling added, "There's something very surreal about it, because obviously we've done the civil partnership already. But it really is so nice to have the full marriage, and I'm every bit as emotional."

The Irish Times posted a video of the happy couple getting married.

Gay marriage became official on Monday. However, couples in civil partnerships had to wait 24 hours before they could upgrade their status to legally married. Same-sex couples who do not have a legal union but want one will have to give a three months notice while registering.

Ireland is the first country in the world to legalize gay marriage based on popular vote. 62 percent of the people had voted for the approval of gay marriage during the May referendum.

In other parts of the world, such as the United States, gay marriage has been legalized via the court or legislation.