THEY CAME. THEY voted. They went home.

But the next morning… Well….

Last Saturday – in Dublin Castle, and elsewhere – provided some incredible, unexpected scenes of giddiness and joy – as it became apparent that the country had given a resounding Yes to same-sex marriage.

Even No campaigners, in interviews that evening and the following days, acknowledged that it was a unique day in Irish life.

There was so much going on, we thought you’d appreciate this quick look back at the marquee moments – and the smaller stories, you may have missed.

All human life is here – from David Norris’s stirring speech, to Vincent’s MAD day out, at The George…

1. The moment it was over before it even began

I'm calling it. Key boxes opened.
It's a yes. And a landslide across Dublin.
And I'm so proud to be Irish today. #MarRef
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) May 23, 2015

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD / Twitter

2. The time we had the first recorded proposal

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3. The moment this 9-year-old’s note was found in a ballot box

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4. The moment Senator Katherine Zappone proposed on live TV
https://vine.co/v/eqvxFv3EjOj

5. The moment David Norris didn’t need a microphone

Newstalk 106-108 fm / YouTube

6. ‘In these heels?’: The moment Panti was turned away from a Dublin Castle side entrance

pant6 Daragh Brophy / Youtube Daragh Brophy / Youtube / Youtube

7. The moment Miriam got a proposal…
https://vine.co/v/eqrK36MPEHO

Surely the most bizarre photo of the wknd. Gerry Adams taking a selfie with Panti Bliss. In Dublin Castle. #bananas pic.twitter.com/HJyrt3DDeC
— John Harrington🔰 (@johnny_harr) May 25, 2015

John Harrington™ / Twitter

8. And Pat Carey NEARLY got one…

Des Bishop and Pat Carey on RTE. Des: "There's no story here folks". . No proposal #MarRef pic.twitter.com/yexHoSspxY
— Daragh Brophy (@DaraghBroph) May 23, 2015

Daragh Brophy / Twitter

9. The moment the crowd repurposed an Italia ’90 anthem

4UNME / YouTube

10. All of Vincent’s frankly NUTS show from The George…

vin1

11. Put in particular the bit when Bosco appeared

glen1

12. With a special mention for … the moment it all got too much
https://vine.co/v/eqtb6xIWhpi

Early tallies indicate Ireland has voted YES to same-sex marriage http://t.co/VS1SfqK8kg #MarRef pic.twitter.com/jPC8Z4b7ui
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) May 23, 2015

TheJournal.ie / Twitter

Got time for more?

13. The time EVERYONE hugged
https://vine.co/v/eq6qeAYMxeL

This, just now, outside Dublin Castle: @jerrybuttimer and @SenatorKZappone #MarRef pic.twitter.com/BOdbMbbeaD
— Jennifer Bray (@Jennifer_Bray) May 23, 2015

Jennifer Bray / Twitter

14. The moment the ref was passed mathematically
https://vine.co/v/eq6ZPdDB1Qu

15. The moment ‘boos’ rang out, at the wrong moment
https://vine.co/v/eqrQ6uUzxnJ

16. The moment Andrew WK and Mia Farrow sent best wishes. (Because of course).

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Yes vote is now certain!! Congratulations Ireland !!!🍀💜💛💚💙❤️💘🎉🍀 pic.twitter.com/5zSNADHKaM
— Mia Farrow 🏳️‍🌈 (@MiaFarrow) May 23, 2015

mia farrow / Twitter

17. The moment everyone realised the Eurovision was yet to come

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18. The moment the result was (finally) read-out

yes

19. And the crowd went wild…

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20. The moment the White House send this message

We welcome Ireland's support for equality. #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/11IhOv4yHm
— VP Biden (Archived) (@VP44) May 23, 2015

Vice President Biden / Twitter

21. The time Enda quoted a Jimmy Cliff song

Gay marriage referendum PA WIRE PA WIRE

Taoiseach Enda Kenny: "Today we exposed who we are: a generous, bold, compassionate people....It's going to be a bright sunshiny day."
— Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) May 23, 2015

Helen Kennedy / Twitter

22. The moment the world took note

Ireland becomes the first nation to approve same-sex marriage by a popular vote http://t.co/iXLQ5GhLWQ pic.twitter.com/DUKdQCiIzP
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 23, 2015

The New York Times / Twitter

23. And the gardaí earned a final honourable mention

Gardaí are advising motorists to avoid the Capel St area in Dublin due to large crowds following the Referendum result
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) May 23, 2015

An Garda Síochána / Twitter

Read: The first same-sex marriages could take place before the end of the summer

Read: Bono preaching Pride: “On this very day, we have true equality in Ireland!”

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