PART TWO - Ireland voted to legalize divorce thirty years ago. On Nov. 24, 1995 a tiny majority of voters amended the constitution, which banned the “dissolution of marriage.” The campaign was rancorous. The outcome established the right to remarry. Divorce rates didn’t rise as much as some feared they would.

Part One - Voters in Ireland said YES to legalizing divorce 30 years ago on Nov. 24, 1995. Just nine years earlier voters had said NO on the same issue. Much had changed in Ireland but the vote favoring divorce was extremely close.

The current President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, is finishing his second seven-year term.  Voters will choose his successor in about three months.