COMMENTS ARE PART of the lifeblood of the site.

Whether they make you laugh, roll your eyes, punch the keyboard, nod your head or just think about something in a different way, the reaction from readers is an integral part of the news stories that we publish.

As you’ll see from the list below, a lot of the articles which got the most comments this year were – unsurprisingly – on topical news issues which people felt strongly about. Same-sex marriage makes the list, with abortion, vaccinations and a united Ireland all getting provoking a vocal reaction from readers too.

So without further ado, here’s the 10 articles which received the most comments this year as of 20 December. Keep an eye out for later this week when we’ll be publishing the comments which got the most thumbs up from other readers. That’s going to be fun…

1. Poll: How would you vote if there was a referendum on same-sex marriage today?

Comments: 784

(Shutterstock)

2. Poll: Should Ireland allow terminations in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities?

Comments: 687

(Photocall Ireland)

3. Shatter condemns hate mail sent to Muslim Community, says gardaí will take “appropriate action”

Comments: 622

(Brian Lawless/PA Wire)

4. Pictures: Crowds take to the streets for pro-choice march

Comments: 575

(Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

5. Pics: Thousands attend pro-life vigil in Dublin

Comments: 554

(Niall Carson/PA Wire)

6= Ireland’s largest mosque gets planning permission

Comments: 540

(Dublin Welfare Society)

6= Poll: Would you welcome a united Ireland?

Comments: 540

(Paul Faith/PA Archive/Press Association Images)

8. Dublin business owner in storm over gay take-topper row

Comments: 538

9. Poll: Should vaccinations be compulsory for children?

Comments: 536

(Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

10. Stop exporting your abortion problem, Britain tells Ireland

Comments: 502

(Julian Behal/PA Wire)

Read: A selection of the best reader comments every week >