Of all the nations in Europe, and most certainly in Western Europe, it has been the most conservative and resistant to social change.

Yeah.... only if you forget about the whole of eastern Europe...

It is an exhilarating occurrence, and another positive in our long and tortured journey. God bless Ireland!

Of all the nations in Europe, and most certainly in Western Europe, it has been the most conservative and resistant to social change.

 

Yeah.... only if you forget about the whole of eastern Europe...

This is true. I have a blind spot about the nations in Eastern Europe. Its a hold over from the Warsaw Pact days.

 You must understand how deeply rooted in the Catholic Culture Ireland is. Of all the nations in Europe, and most certainly in Western Europe, it has been the most conservative and resistant to social change. To see that Gay Marriage is now legal there after just 22 years of legal homosexuality is very encouraging and then to know that Ireland is the first nation in the world to make Gay Marriage a part of the constitution is revolutionary!

Recent censuses show Ireland has the most youthful population in Europe - 40% are under 30. So it's perhaps not surprising that an educated young population should reject the bigoted dogma of an ancient and out-of-date dinosaur like the Catholic Establishment

Ah, its that long stubborn streak. My greatgrandma had it, my grandma had it, my mom had it, and I had it too but left it at the door when things no longer fit for me 'conventionally'. Its hard to remain a certain way when that way makes you want to be dead.