Wicklow is one of the most popular areas for same-sex partnerships

By Nevan Riley

31 same-sex couples from Wicklow have tied the knot since the enactment of the Civil Partnership Act some 17 months ago.

According to the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen), Wicklow is the third most popular location for same-sex unions after Dublin and Cork.

At least one civil partnership has taken place in every county since the unions were signed into law with 862 couples tying the knot nationally. 528 were male couples and 334 were female couples.

Civil Partners have the same rights and obligations as opposite-sex married couples in an extensive range of areas including tax, inheritance, next of kin, social welfare, immigration, pensions, home protection and have all the same protections as married couples in employment and equality protections.

“Based on the success of civil partnerships, Ireland is rapidly evolving to supporting civil marriage as the next step for lesbian and gay couples,” said Glen chairman Kieran Rose.

“To move to marriage now and provide full constitutional equality for lesbian and gay people is not a massive legislative leap; it is an incremental step building on the success of Civil Partnerships,” concluded Rose.