The anticipated Yes vote in the marriage equality referendum has been described as "something, new, exciting and fresh'' by Minster for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan.

"We really have embraced now a new and modern Ireland, '' he said.

He said it was “a great day for tolerance, inclusion, pluralism, and a great signature for what we are’’.

The Minister was speaking to The Irish Times at the Carlow-Kilkenny byelection count in Kilkenny. He was Fine Gael’s direction of elections for the campaign.

Mr Flanagan said everyday people had actively engaged in the kind of campaign not seen before.

“That is exciting and it does pose real and serious challenges for politicians,’’ he added.

“There is a strong message here: the number of people who came home to vote, the young people who led the charge in the campaign.’’

Mr Flanagan said the campaign was striking because of the personal nature of stories, accounts and anecdotes about sexual orientation.

People who had never before spoken publicly went on the airwaves about it, he added.

“It was an extraordinary emotional campaign, of a type this country has never experienced before,’’ he added.

“It is interesting that Ireland is the first country in the world where there was a popular vote, rather than a mandated Government vote on marriage equality.”