THE #HOMETOVOTE HASHTAG has dominated social media today, with heartfelt stories of people making the trip home to vote in the marriage equality referendum.

Here, we chatted to four people who successfully made it back, and why the vote matters to them:

Ali May, San Francisco – Dublin

When did you make it home?

I flew in last Friday, after moving there in January. I was waiting on the referendum date to be announced – and as soon as it was, I booked my flight. I was always going to be here for the referendum.

Were you following the campaign from San Francisco?

The thing about it is, all my friends on social media were Yes so I hadn’t quite realised until I got home how neck and neck it might be here. I have been out canvassing and have been shocked when people would answer the door and say they were voting no.

But coming home has been great – seeing my straight friends know as much about the issues has been amazing. That’s what it’s all about.

David Maybury, London – Dublin

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When did you fly in?

I flew in from London this morning. The minute the campaign started my family and friends were getting a little nervous, so I said I would book my flight early on.

The plane to Dublin was packed with people, badges, and just a great, positive atmosphere. I had to explain to two Japanese tourists what exactly was going on, and they were fully supportive. There was just lots of positivity.

How did you find being away for the campaign?

I was following it over there. If anything, it is the guilt of not being around to do the heavy lifting. There were nights that people were posting on Twitter the awful stuff they were hearing out and about and it was then I would have loved to be at home for the full campaign.

Patrick Barrett, Cardiff – Dublin

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How was the flight home?

I left this morning at 8am but there was a three hour delay because there was fog on the ground at Cardiff. There was no real presence of Tá or Yes on the flight back, but it was mostly connecting flights through to the States, so that’s to be expected.

Have you been following the campaign when you were in Cardiff?

I saw my local TD in the Irish Times a few days ago saying he was voting No and that really spurred me to make the trip home. It’s been interesting to see the support for Yes online, and I have been following all the hashtags when I was away.

Laura Carew, Toronto – Clare

When did you make it back from Toronto

I came back a week or two ago. I knew I was going to come back at some stage this year and I wanted to come back for the vote, so I booked at the end of April. I had to be here for it.

I knew straight away that I would vote Yes, unfortunately some of my friends in Toronto couldn’t make it back because of work.

How was it being abroad for the campaign?

I’d see a couple of things pop up on Facebook when I was away, but you still feel a little bit cut off from it. Since I’ve been home, though, you’ve got a lot more time to engage – and it’s great to be part of such a historic thing.

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