Pics: Ireland voted like it has never voted before

IT COULD BE the highest turnout in an Irish referendum ever.

The youth vote was mobilised, the nation swelled with pride at the number of emigrants coming home, and more people than ever make sure their voice was heard.

Here are a handful of scenes from across the country.

There were queues at some polling station. Queues!

Openly gay TD John Lyons went to vote in Ballymun with his mother Josie

Source: Mark Stedman

The Carmelite sisters cast their vote at a polling station in Malahide, County Dublin, Ireland.

Source: Associated Press

Hundreds, if not thousands, of emigrants came home….

Source: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

… and there were scenes like this at Dublin Airport.

Source: Catherine Brennan

This newly wed couple, Vincent Fox and Anne Cole, were spotted casting their votes…

Source: Peter Morrison/AP/Press Association Images

… and civil partners of four years Paul Higgins (left) and Richard Lucey.

Source: PA WIRE