Referendum 2018: From nerves to elation as Longford says Yes

As counting of votes in the Eighth Amendment Referendum got underway this morning in Kenagh, there was a nervousness among Twitter followers as Longford ballot boxes were opened and they showed the margin between Yet and No was much tighter than the RTE and Irish Times exit polls showed.

Tallying has just finished at the count centre and with the early estimate for Longford, showing an overall outcome of 53.6% Yes and 46.4% No, the nervousness among Tweeters has been replaced with elation and pride. 

All tallying in Longford/Westmeath Referendum all done dusted #Referendum2018 #longford

— Longford Leader (@Longford_Leader) May 26, 2018

Looks like Longford has come out for Yes 53 to 47

— John Connell (@JConnelj2) May 26, 2018

Also read: Referendum 2018: Margin between Yes and No in Longford much tighter than what exit polls were saying

Also read: Referendum 2018 outcome is a huge milestone for women’s rights in Ireland

Also read: Save the 8th says 'what Irish voters did yesterday is a tragedy of historic proportions'

I genuinely cannot believe Longford went YES! I'm proud of my country and prouder of my county! Lads, if Longford went Yes, then end the counting now! #repealed ❤ https://t.co/FqP2ZoNOft

— Fiona Gallagher (@travelhealthfit) May 26, 2018

Well done @Longford4Repeal @AnTaobhRua A brilliant campaign https://t.co/LsRBKpL3Rp

— Longford Womens Link (@LWLLongford) May 26, 2018

#Longford #tallys making me nervous and bitterly disappointed #together4yes #RepealTheEighth

— Jane Reilly (@Janey_81) May 26, 2018

Was a rumour that counts in Longford were showing strong “no”. Local paper projecting 53% yes from tallies. https://t.co/cQ5RzK0lKy

— lisa o'carroll (@lisaocarroll) May 26, 2018

Possible that Longford says yes? I will be floored but also proud https://t.co/ZgKO1Sa6LM

— Johnny Fallon (@jonnyfallon) May 26, 2018

.@sjcbennett your work and everyone else who canvassed in Longford, was so bloody important.
#together4yes https://t.co/GnvHXX9VYK

— Catherine Bennett (@CatherineBenet) May 26, 2018

My sense is Longford, where I’m from, is an outlier. Looks like there will be pro repeal majorities even in rural Ireland

— Peter Geoghegan (@PeterKGeoghegan) May 26, 2018

Longford county voted no in the marriage ref too but the Westmeath vote ment the constituency returned a yes vote. So not surprising but disappointing again.

— Kerrie (@Kerrie0) May 26, 2018

Longford looking a bit dodge though. It's strangely fascinating to see the difference in percentages between constituencies.

— Dicey (@dicey69) May 26, 2018