As results from Ireland’s referendums began to trickle in, I cringed as I imagined the international headlines that would follow: “Ireland votes to keep women in the home” and “Referendums to modernise Irish constitution fail” were likely interpretations of the “no-no” vote.
This was the latest in a series of referendums that have seen Ireland progress into the 21st century. I’m sure the government felt that winning it would be easy, considering the success of the same-sex marriage and abortion referendums, which helped to earn Ireland a status as a beacon of liberal progressivism. But now I fear that, after Ireland’s recent flirtation with the far right, we’ll be seen as a backward country.
