What’s trending on Twitter this week in Ireland?
Welcome to our autumn weekly blog by intern Taylor O’Neil. She is a Junior at Lasell College currently studying abroad at Griffith College and interning with Olytico through the CAPA study abroad programme.
Olytico specialises in social media listening and analysis, helping our clients make well-informed, performance-driven decisions based on Olytico insights. To find out more about our services click here.
This week several topics are trending on Twitter in Ireland. These include:
1. Minister
5,895 Irish Tweets
Leo Varadkar is under scrutiny after news was released that while he was Minister of Health, he took two Christmas holidays. Along with the release of this information, people are also criticizing his recently made comments about the Irish healthcare system and how he acted when he was the Minister of Health. People shared their thoughts on Twitter.
Leo Varadkar is doing his best to put as much distance between himself and the health service he was Minister and Taoiseach responsible for… pic.twitter.com/ANsVdx9MlY
— Eoin Kelleher (@EoinKr) November 10, 2018
I heard some f/g senator on Sean o Rourke today banging on about Leo been a doctor,his dad + partner were doctors,his mum sis were doctors and he was minister for health, how the hell is the health service so badly messed up with all Varadkar family experience?
— Shane O' Malley (@shane_malley) November 9, 2018
On both Christmases when "Leo" was Health minister he took sun holidays to Canary Islands & Miami. He had to return early from the Miami trip as trolley numbers reached 600 for the first time in the history if the state. Trolley numbers are predicted to pass the 1000 mark soon. pic.twitter.com/Pxyiu8vdd6
— Robert (@Eintrachtrob) November 11, 2018
2. California
4,458 Irish Tweets (of 3,092,645 globally)
Wildfires spread through California leaving destruction in its path. Forty-Two people have been reported dead and thousands have been forced to flee their burning homes. Fair City actor Victor Burke was among those who were forced to flee their homes. People took to Twitter to share their thoughts and prayers for the victims of the wildfires.
More than 200 missing as fierce winds fan California wildfires https://t.co/IpA0L5vyXt pic.twitter.com/2BsWk6uwha
— Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) November 12, 2018
I've just heard my cousin has lost his home in the California wildfires in the town of Paradise. He's a police officer at Chico State University and is looking for a place to rent. It's a long shot but if any followers in Northern California know of anything please get in touch
— Sorcha Pollak (@SorchaPollak) November 10, 2018
My Mam: OH MY GOD I had no idea Wayne lived in California I hope he's ok
Dad: who's Wayne?
Mam: Wayne from fair city
— Joyce Dignam (@joyceydignam) November 11, 2018
3. Argentina
3,174 Irish Tweets
Ireland won against Argentina in the Autumn Winter League on November 11th at the Aviva Stadium. The final score of the game was 28-17 with Ireland in the lead. Fans took to Twitter to share their opinions on the match.
It's all over and Ireland beat Argentina by 28-17 #IREvARG pic.twitter.com/rjHpO8KMnF
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) November 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/klincoln100/status/1061328433849004032
4. Northern Ireland
3,137 Irish Tweets (of 60,208 globally)
Northern Ireland and the soft border are still being discussed in relations to Brexit. People are concerned about the implications of Brexit on those living in Northern Ireland. They took to Twitter to share their opinions.
As former Northern Ireland secretary I support the Irish backstop | Peter Hain https://t.co/cZg3o3WA2j
— Mary C. Murphy (@MaryCMurphy) November 12, 2018
Northern Ireland, #Brexit and the border (via @Channel4News) https://t.co/IJqM4hbN22
— Politics & Society – North Mon Secondary School (@NorthMonPolSoc) November 8, 2018
5. #Armistice100
2,622 Irish Tweets (of 213,076 globally)
Armistice Day on November 11th marked the centennial since the end of World War 1. Countries all across Europe hosted ceremonies to remember this day. In Ireland, ceremonies were held in Cork, Sligo, and Dublin to name a few. At Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin there was an unveiling of the Victoria Cross commemorative plaque and at St. Patrick’s Cathedral there was a moment of silence at 11am. People took to Twitter to share their thoughts and prayers.
Dublin War Memorial Gardens today. #Armistice100
Thread. Normally, only a small group is ever here around Nov 11, but today, hundreds turned out to pay their respects. From every corner of Ireland and beyond. pic.twitter.com/6g9BnfZC9I— Dub8Lady (@DubLoony) November 11, 2018
I was honoured earlier today to join colleagues and students of UCD in commemorating #Armistice100 with a commemorative walk across the @UCDdublin campus led by piper and UCD Music student, Mr James Stone.
The full University War list is now live at https://t.co/JofUMP1JSv pic.twitter.com/XBl7LZMrHY— Conor Mulvagh (@ConorMulvagh) November 9, 2018
6. #Midterms2018
2,501 Irish Tweets (of 819,799 globally)
The 2018 Midterm elections took place on November 6th in the United States. Democrats took back the majority in the House of Representation after a wave of blue votes at the polls. Among those voted in to office, a record-breaking number of women have been voted into Congress. Irish people took to Twitter to share their opinions.
Oh BETO Cruz vote is so close … come on Beto beat him #ElectionNight #MidTerms2018 pic.twitter.com/rDcJPK8eT8
— Sean O' Shea (@SeaniieOShea) November 7, 2018
I pay attention to what happens in US politics and their #Midterms2018 and #presidentialelection because they're a superpower and the decisions they make affect the global economy and environment. Also decisions they make embolden other countries. They affect all of us.
— Daithí Vote Left Transfer Left! (@debhruin) November 7, 2018
7. #WebSummit
1,484 Irish Tweets (of 54,713 gloablly)
The 2018 Web Summit took place in Lisbon, Portugal this past week from November 5th to 8th. The Web Summit, originally named the Dublin Web Summit, is an annual technology conference that hosts Fortune 500 companies and tech start-ups. Attendees of the 2018 summit included Tim Berners-Lee, Michelle Peluso, Des Traynor, and many more. Guests shared their experiences on Twitter.
Delighted to be representing @Entirl at Venture Summit @WebSummit today – Enterprise Ireland is always looking to build relationships with new co-investment partners #websummit #venturessummit pic.twitter.com/kdhj2XpvT7
— Mike Brennan (@atmikeb) November 5, 2018
If you are a founder in Lisbon tomorrow night and enjoy telling failure stories against yourself drop me a DM #websummit
— paul hayes (@paulhayesman) November 5, 2018
8. #scienceweek
1,335 Irish Tweets
The Science Foundation of Ireland is hosting Science Week Ireland this week from November 11th to November 18th. Twelve regional science festivals will take place during this week in Sligo, Mayo, Galway and more counties. Participants have been sharing their experiences on Twitter.
Another Excellent set up for #scienceweek @itsligo today. Hours spent just wandering around with My 5 year old Chloe. Well done to all involved and congrats to the primary school students for their excellent displays and presentations. #stem pic.twitter.com/HDxl8Ftr5n
— Daragh Fallon (@Daraghfallon) November 11, 2018
Listening to @SpaceNorah @itsligo #ScienceWeek Great to see so many kids asking interesting questions and engaging with STEM pic.twitter.com/DLur4ygAUc
— Michelle O'Leary (@michellemoleary) November 11, 2018
9. #U2eiTour
1,103 Irish Tweets (of 11,526 globally)
U2’s Experience + Innocence Tour headlined in Ireland during this past weekend. U2 performed their albums, Songs of Experience and Songs of Innocence, at the Dublin 3Arena for four back to back nights. At the first night, President Michael D. Higgins made an appearance. Fans took to Twitter to share their experiences at the concerts.
Universe of fans and band collided tonight for Dublin 4. Stars aligned with perfect energy, perfect setlist, perfect sound, just simply perfect. #unforgettable #U2eiTour #Dublin
— JZ (@jzcanuck) November 10, 2018
Nipped out to see 4 lads from the Northside of Dublin tonight .. best gig of my life .. think they’re gonna be big ! @u2 #u2eitour @U2ThreeChords pic.twitter.com/a0IEwvmyyT
— Paul Kelly (@kellypaul68) November 9, 2018
10. #legis18
125 Tweets
At a hearing on November 7th, Ireland’s Health Committee rejected abortion legislation amendments. The Health Committee consist of 10 TD’s who examined 130 amendments out of 180. People took to Twitter to share their varying opinions.
Our new abortion law should respect, protect and fulfil the #humanrights of women, girls and all pregnant people. #ARCMarch18 #legis18 #NoOneLeftBehind #ItsTime pic.twitter.com/J03XXcrnf3
— Amnesty Ireland (@AmnestyIreland) September 29, 2018
According to @SimonHarrisTD abortion is to be a normal part of the health service? #legis18 yet people did not get to vote on the legislation @toibin1 speaks about a medical procedure intended to end the life of a foetus.
— Nurses & Midwives 4Life Ireland (@Nurses4lifeIrl) November 7, 2018
If you want to find out more about what was trending in Ireland this past week, or if you have any other social media listening requirements, click here, email us at info@olytico.com or request a free demo.