This thesis explores the meaning of Civil Partnership for same-sex couples in Ireland. An interpretative phenomenological study, it examines the relationship recognition experiences of lesbian and gay couples in Civil Partnerships. Using the philosophical texts of Heidegger and Gadamer, the study explores Dasein’s (human beings) mode of being-in-the-world (Heidegger 1969) and how we make sense of our thrown-world through interpretation and language (Gadamer 1979). The study takes the reader on a journey in which a deepening understanding of the meanings and significance of relationship recognition for same-sex couples and wider society emerges. Deploying an interpretative analysis of the experiences of 12 same-sex couples and a fusion of horizons (Gadamer 1979) which includes sociological relationship recognition and sexuality studies discourses, the study includes a review of the socio-historical emergence of relationship recognition forms. Chapters One and Two outline the historical discourse on sexuality and non-normative sexualities and Chapter Three examines the context for the emergence of the same-sex relationship recognition construct of Civil Partnership in Ireland in 2010. Chapter Four presents the methodology and details the research methods. Chapters Five, Six and Seven discuss the themes which emerge from dwelling with the data (Heidegger 1969). These include: an exploration of Civil Partnership as a Be-coming-out for same-sex couples (Chapter Five). Civil Partnership is seen to be of huge importance for couples as its recognition brings a crucial sense of belonging to them (Chapter Six). Chapter Seven examines a further significant theme of Civil Partnership, parenting rights and family. In Chapter 8 the study suggests that while Civil Partnership offers the two adults entering Civil Partnership significant rights and recognition, the absence of parenting rights in the Act means that same-sex headed families are not gaining recognition through Civil Partnership, but rather are left without a significant element of affective equality, thus their families remain insecure and unrecognised.