The number of marriages celebrated in 2020 was less than half of 2019’s figure, with 9,523 marriages taking place last year. Some 9,209 of these were opposite-sex marriages, while 170 male same-sex couples and 144 female same-sex couples were also wed. The figures also show that Catholic marriages were less popular than civil marriages for the first time last year. Some 42.1 per cent of marriages were in civil ceremonies in 2020, compared to 34.6 per cent in Catholic services. In 2019, 43.6 per cent of marriages were Catholic, in 2018 47.6 per cent, and in 2017 50.9 per cent.

Source: The Irish Times April 30, 2021 12:05 UTC