High Turnout as Ireland Decides on Same Sex Marriage.

Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny voted in Catlebar.

Votes have closed in the Republic of Ireland, where voters have been taking part in a referendum on whether to legalize same-sex marriage.

More than 3.2m people were asked whether they wanted to amend the country's constitution to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Counting is due to start on Saturday morning after polling stations closed at 22:00 BST and they reported an "unusually high" turnout on Friday.

Irish state broadcaster RTÉ said the turnout in most areas was well ahead of what it had been in recent referendums.

Limerick, Waterford and Dublin, passed the 60% electorate turnout mark, while in Donegal, Tipperary, Kerry, Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, and Galway it was above 50%.

Before Friday, votes had already been cast in some islands as well as hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. Registered Irish citizens are allowed to vote, but there is no postal voting. Many  returned to Ireland to cast their votes.