Over 2,600 people have entered into civil partnerships across every county in Ireland.

New figures show that over 2,600 people have entered into a civil partnership in Ireland up to the end of 2013. Although Dublin has had the most partnerships with 728, the figures show that every single county was represented.

Tiernan Brady, Policy director with GLEN said “Civil Partnerships are a resounding success. Lesbian and gay couples in every county in Ireland have celebrated their love and commitment to each other in front of family, friends and neighbours. In doing so, these couples have contributed enormously to the remarkable progress towards marriage and full constitutional equality for lesbian and gay couples and families.”

According to the figures, Cork is the most popular area in Munster with 106 couples celebrating civil partnerships: 41 from Cork city and 65 from the rest of the county. In Connaught, it’s Galway, with 44 couples, 23 from the city of Galway and 21 from across the county.

“The huge welcome for civil partnerships throughout the country shows that Ireland is ready to take the next step to provide for civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples” said Brady.

He concluded, “We warmly welcome the government commitment to hold a referendum on equal access to civil marriage in early 2015. We firmly believe that the people of Ireland will continue their warm welcome of lesbian and gay couples and families and that a yes vote will be carried in a referendum that would provide access to civil marriage and full constitutional equality.”