Ireland took to the polls Friday to vote on whether same-sex marriage should be legal, in a referendum that has exposed sharp divisions between communities in this traditionally Catholic nation.

If the move is approved and the ensuing legislation is passed, Ireland would become the first country to make the change following a popular vote.

Referenda in Croatia and Slovenia both resulted in "No" votes, although in Slovenia, parliament went ahead and approved gay marriage in March.

Ireland would be the 19th country in the world to legalize gay marriage and the 14th in Europe.

Across the border in Northern Ireland, which is part of Britain, gay marriage is banned even though it is legal in the rest of the country.

All of Ireland's main political parties, including conservatives, support amending the constitutional definition of marriage, and the latest polls put their camp in the lead.

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