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. Peter Casey
8,213 Irish Tweets (of 15,024 globally)
Presidential candidate Peter Casey was faced with controversy this past week due to comments he made about the Irish Traveller community. Casey was subjected to harsh criticism due to his comments which people found deeply offensive. In a statement he released, Casey apologized and mentioned how he considered withdrawing from the race. People shared their thoughts and opinions about Casey’s remarks on Twitter.
Peter Casey turns from vilifying Travellers to criticising those on social welfare, says he wants to represent “those who get up early in the morning”.
Problem for FG is how they distance themselves from these latest comments, as he’s basically echoing Leo Varadkar ???? #aras18
— Colette Browne (@colettebrowne) October 22, 2018
Anyone who says Peter Casey "is just saying what other people are afraid to say" need to ask themselves why they're afraid to say it. Perhaps it's because you'd be be called out for being racist. It's that simple.
— Fiona Kenny (@FionaKenny1) October 17, 2018
2. #CBlive
6,982 Irish Tweets (of 12,815 globally)
Claire Byrne Live hosted the first live debate of the presidential election on October 15th. In attendance were presidential candidates Peter Casey, Gavin Duffy, Joan Freeman, and Liadh Ni Riada. Missing from the debate were incumbent President Michael D. Higgins and candidate Sean Gallagher. People took to Twitter to share their opinions about the debate and joke about where the two missing candidates were.
Michael D at home tonight ???? #cblive pic.twitter.com/c2mqRtFCnX
— Barry Browne™ (@babsbrowne) October 15, 2018
That debate was actually really valuable. I learned from 2 of the candidates that to become a millionaire all I have to do is "work hard". So simple, can't believe I didn't think of it before #cblive #Aras18
— Colette Sexton (@colette_sexton) October 15, 2018
3. Saudi Arabia
4,707 Irish Tweets (of 2,128,711 globally)
Following the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an investigation has been conducted to determine what events led to his death. Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2nd. On Friday the consulate admitted to the public that Khashoggi was killed in a fight inside of the consulate following their previous statement they released saying he left unharmed. Both Turkish and Saudi officials blame a “rogue operation” for Khashoggi’s death.
Jamal Khashoggi's killing took seven minutes, Turkish source tells MEE #SaudiArabia#JamalKhashoggi#Turkeyhttps://t.co/lspMqfn09b via @MiddleEastEye
— John O'Connor (@johnnyoconn) October 20, 2018
Saudi Arabia says Khashoggi died after 'fistfight' via @RTENewsNow ???? I am horrified, angry, disgusted and see a good man who fought for freedoms, with words. A loss to his family and society. We need more like him, not less. https://t.co/xP4y8I0DjY
— pongodhall ???????????? (@pongodhall) October 20, 2018
4. #NWED
2,714 Irish Tweets
National Women’s Enterprise Day took place this year on October 18th. NWED is a campaign run by the Local Enterprise Offices to inspire and assist the women of Ireland in starting and operating their own business. Across counties in Ireland, events with workshops and guest speakers took place. Women took to Twitter to share their NWED favourite moments.
Great advice from @valbreastcare on building awareness of her business and minding yourself in the process of working hard building a new business , including her involvement in @acorns_ie @TheAdareManor #NWEDADARE #NWED pic.twitter.com/s9yEoLDQcH
— Moher Cottage (@MoherCottage) October 18, 2018
Stage set for National Women’s Enterprise Day – from local to global #NWED #NWEDAdare @TheAdareManor @leo_limerick pic.twitter.com/pVP7WsFfNr
— Laura Ryan (@LauraMR) October 18, 2018
5. #20×20
2,489 Irish Tweets (of 5,332 gloabally)
20×20 is a movement across Ireland to show representation of women within sports. Female representation within the sports community is important for the younger generations due to the lack of female role models today. This movement focuses on achieving a 20% increase in media coverage of women in sport; female participation and attendance at women’s events. Athletes and women took to Twitter to support this movement.
Was privileged to take this pic of Canadian soccer star Diana Mathewson after winning bronze in London 2012. The girl is saying to her ‘you’re more famous than Cinderella’. Promote our female sports stars. Show girls they have their place among them. #20×20 #womeninsport pic.twitter.com/1rwVjrWu6u
— Paul Varian (@paulvarian) October 19, 2018
Brilliant news to hear there will also be a Euro Hockey League for women starting in 2020. Equal prize money, full production & video referrals. Great to see women’s club hockey being taken to the next level #EquallyAmazing #20×20 #CantSeeCantBe https://t.co/NfHqExekei
— Nikki Evans (@nikkilevans) October 22, 2018
6. #Legisl8
1,290 Tweets
The second stage debate on the abortion legislation was concluded in the Dail on October 18th. Supporters of the referendum are asking for their TD’s to say no to waiting periods, no to refusals by healthcare professionals and yes to patient focused legislation. On Tuesday, October 23rd the legislation will be voted on by TD’s before it moves to the Committee stage. People shared their opinions and thoughts of the legislation on Twitter.
The anti-choice TDs tonight have a very nice repeating motif – "forcing doctors to end life". Remember, the consequence of their position is: forcing women to continue crisis pregnancies. #legisl8
— Lawyers For Choice (@Lawyers4Choice) October 17, 2018
Please, please write to your TD. We need to get this passed #Legisl8 https://t.co/iLNGGayqd6
— vicky conway (@drvconway) October 17, 2018
7. Katie Taylor
876 Irish Tweets (of 5,080 globally)
Ireland’s professional female boxer and lightweight world champion, Katie Taylor won her fight against Cindy Serrano this past weekend in Boston. Taylor’s win against Serrano marked her eleventh win a as professional boxer. In attendance was Ireland’s professional MMA star, Conor McGregor. Fans took to Twitter to discuss the fight.
She’s one of the greatest athletes of all time and barely gets any recognition in comparison to #McGregor. Another retention of the title in a flawless performance. Congrats champ @KatieTaylor #Eleven #AndStill #FightingIrish #IrishPride #KatieTaylor #Champion pic.twitter.com/TVfc5uYECu
— i_am_maddie (@i_am_maddie_) October 21, 2018
Mad bunch of Irishmen ????☘ in @tdgarden tonight ! @spike_osullivan @TheNotoriousMMA & @mikemcc74257104 all good company @John_Kavanagh ! Cheering on @niallbaskennedy @JamesT931 @KatieTaylor pic.twitter.com/HJnpfgXvB5
— Packie Collins (@packycollins) October 21, 2018
8. #mathsweek
787 Irish Tweets (of 1,607 globally)
Ireland’s mathematic celebration, Maths Week, began on October 13th and concluded on October 21st. During this celebration, organisations such as universities, museums, and technological institutes united to share their common vision of making math and STEM fields accessible for everyone. In this year’s celebration of Maths Week, 372,773 people registered to participate. These participants took to Twitter to share their experiences.
It’s all coming together – we’re getting some good stuff done here at @ucddublin with the @MirrorPillar and @MMACA_cat @mathsweek #mathsweek #iusemaths @ucdscience @UCDMathStat @UCDMathsSupport @UCDResearch @UCDSciEx @scienceirel @standupmaths pic.twitter.com/ZxGnCqxKSp
— Cordula Weiss (@Weiss_Cordula) October 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/blanch_mr/status/1052167855893041153
9. #Octocon
489 Irish Tweets
The National Irish Science Fiction Convention, Octocon, took place this past weekend to celebrate fan favourites within the science fiction genre. Octocon 2018 marked the conventions 26th year. At this year’s convention the guests of honour consisted of Pat Cadigan and Colleen Doran. Attendees of the convention shared their experiences on Twitter.
The #DoctorWho panel was so much fun! Not often I get to chat about the show with fellow fans. Thanks @Octocon #Octocon
— Robert J.E. Simpson (@avalard) October 21, 2018
"200 years and counting: women creators"
THIS IS THE CONTENT I AM HERE FOR!!
❤️ these women.#octocon pic.twitter.com/yW1s9MdRbU— Lada is going to too many cons in 2020 (@ladule_b) October 21, 2018
10. #CervicalCheck
392 Tweets
Controversy surrounds Cervical Check following Vicky Phelan’s court case. Phelan took Cervical Check to court due to their negligence in communicating to her that the results from her smear test were inaccurate and not releasing her revised results. Phelan is one of 162 women to be diagnosed with cervical cancer following their original test reports being false and their revised results not being conveyed to them. On Twitter support is being shown for these women.
I thought long & hard b4 writing something on the #CervicalCheckScandal It is something that cuts close to the bone. I hope this does justice to #EmmaMhicmhathuna & @PhelanVicky 's fight, Jade, my mother & all other women affected by #cervicalcancer https://t.co/RQiCJPYJ9z
— Aisling Walsh (@AxliWrites) October 12, 2018
Luckily, there hasn't been a falloff in the number of women using #CervicalCheck – mostly thanks to the efforts of @PhelanVicky and others, who encouraged them to still go for scans.
Now Irish women deserve a truly reliable screening programme.— Adrienne Cullen (@AdrienneCullen) October 17, 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.