Arielle McConneaughey is a Junior at University of Florida. She is currently studying abroad at Griffith College and interning with Olytico through the CAPA study abroad programme.
Each week Olytico tracks the trending Twitter Topics in Ireland. We specialise 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.
The Top 10 Twitter Trends in Ireland from last week (December 4th – December 10th) are summarised below.
1. Arlene Foster
Politician Arlene Foster is facing criticism for her recent statements on Northern Ireland’s stance in Brexit. Her statements gained multiple responses on Twitter.
Amazing how easily Arlene Foster says things like “it’s important that NI not be treated differently from the rest of UK” when it is already different in many many ways.
— Karl Whelan (@WhelanKarl) December 5, 2017
Time to soften your border Ms Foster @DUPleader a party representing 0.9% of British voters “We have been very clear. Northern Ireland must leave the EU on the same terms as the rest of the United Kingdom" Represent your people; not politics. Northern Ireland voted to remain #EU pic.twitter.com/SdOhWqVFBx
— Deric Ó hArtagáinTV (@deric_tv) December 4, 2017
2. #PESCO
PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) was established in hopes of increasing effectiveness in addressing security challenges and strengthening defence cooperation within the EU. Ireland recently voted in favour of joining but some citizens disagreed on the decision as soon on Twitter.
Shame on those TDs who have railroaded constitutionally questionable #PESCO through the Dáil. There is no desire in Ireland, a neutral country to join an EU army or increase our military capacity. pic.twitter.com/KBgKQIgGxE
— Lynn Boylan ???????? (@LNBDublin) December 7, 2017
Is PESCO constitutional? How can we sign up to common defence when the constitution says "Ireland shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence" @rtenews #dail #pesco
— Richard Boyd Barrett (@RBoydBarrett) December 7, 2017
Ireland cannot afford to home children living on the streets or buy beds for hospital patients, now Fine Gael want to give our money away to bomb children in the middle east #PESCO
— Fintan (@Fintaann) December 7, 2017
3. Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan recently starred on Saturday Night Live, formerly known as ‘SNL’, with a skit about Aer Lingus. Critics were quick to break down her performance, but fans followed up with support on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/ArmedNdFabulous/status/939998493225242624
Am I the only one baffled by all the talk about Saoirse Ronan's accent? She sounds like countless people I know. She sounds like I did as a kid with a Tallaght/Kildare hybrid. How on earth is it offending people?
— Emer McLysaght (@EmerTheScreamer) December 9, 2017
I love hearing people having a go at Saoirse Ronan as if she owes us all something. Like we all had a whip-round to send her to 'Merica and she never kept her promise to send for us all when she got set up.
— The Jason Commemoration (@jasonomahony) December 3, 2017
4. #BrexitDeal
Negotiations between the UK and EU about the Brexit deal have finally made enough progress to move to phase two of the UK’s withdrawal negotiations. Despite politian’s progress, people questioned developments on Twitter.
That’s quite the front page in tomorrow’s London Independent #BrexitDeal pic.twitter.com/3alUIH3tPo
— John O'Driscoll (@odriscollrte) December 8, 2017
Having spent a lot of time abroad these past two years, it’s heartening to see bipartisan politics at play in the Irish parliament this week. Refreshing when there’s often so much divisiveness and ego-driven agendas on the political stage. #brexitdeal
— Aine Kerr (@AineKerr) December 8, 2017
5. #TrinityOpenDay
On Saturday, December 9th Trinity invited visitors it’s Open Day. Open Day gives the opportunity for future prospective alumni to learn about Ireland’s leading university. People tweeted their departments and information in order to raise awareness and support.
Interested in Biomedical Engineering? We're all set here in Parsons Building to tell you all about it #TrinityOpenDay @tcdengineering @tcddublin @TCDBioengineer pic.twitter.com/1xx3T8RggS
— David Hoey (@hoeyd83) December 9, 2017
We loved meeting y’all at #TrinityOpenDay and wish everyone the best with #CAO decisions and exams in the months ahead. A massive thank you to all the volunteers and organisers. Amazing work!
???????????? pic.twitter.com/sgZf7zoE98— Drama Department, Trinity College Dublin (@DramaTCD) December 9, 2017
Terrence the Cane Toad cordially invites you to visit him and many other cool animals at the zoology information stand @tcddublin open day this Sat December 9th. You may even learn how to speak a little amphibian… ????
#TrinityOpenDay pic.twitter.com/a5N33g52L3— Collie Ennis ???? (@collieennis) December 7, 2017
6. #LoveIrishResearch
The Irish Research Council’s mission is to enable and sustain a research community in Ireland by supporting excellent researchers in all disciplines. The council recently celebrated 15 years of research. Event goers tweeted in their support.
Congratulations to @IrishResearch on their 15 year celebration #LoveIrishResearch I’m glad to have been a part of the Council team pic.twitter.com/uOHfZhyTMM
— Dr Jennifer Brennan (@drjenbren) December 6, 2017
Happy 15th anniversary @IrishResearch thanks for funding about a half-dozen of my PhD graduates and a couple of postdocs over the years. Delighted to serve as a current IRC Board member #LoveIrishResearch pic.twitter.com/ouHnlGsRNl
— Alan Smeaton (@asmeaton) December 6, 2017
Celebrating 15 years of the Irish Research Council / IRCHSS / IRCSET. The work of the Councils has been vital for the health of the Irish research landscape. #LoveIrishResearch pic.twitter.com/YsNdzb2RTC
— Orla Feely (@OrlaFeely) December 6, 2017
7. Irish Examiner
An acquisition deal is in process between the Irish Times and Irish Examiner. Once the deal is complete, the Irish Times will own all the publishing and media assets produced by the Cork-based company, Landmark Media Group. Tweets discussing the deal are shown below.
Another nail in the coffin of Irish journalism. Hard to imagine how either paper can survive the next five years as public trust in media plummets https://t.co/S0XylgiKK8
— Gemma O'Doherty (@gemmaod1) December 6, 2017
Irish Times agrees deal to acquire Irish Examiner and other media assets https://t.co/OP4hTHQ79O via @IrishTimesBiz
— Fiach Kelly (@fiachkelly) December 6, 2017
Potentially very good news for media diversity in Ireland
Irish Times set to acquire Irish Examiner and other media assets https://t.co/HlWHh9XIfQ via @IrishTimesBiz— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole) December 6, 2017
8. #DWTSIrl
Dancing with the Stars: Ireland returns for its second series on January 11th. This year’s contestants include TV presenter Marty Morrissey, Conor McGregor’s sister Erin McGregor, and entrepreneur Norah Casey. Fans tweeted their excitement.
It's the 11 celebs of DWTS Ireland 2018 @GregorErin @jakecartermusic @DeirdreOKane1 @boshea5 @AnnaGCork @RM_Heffernan @NorahCasey @Tomas_OLeary @aoiferosewalsh @MaiaDunphy + @MartyM_RTE that we will laugh along with for weeks + remember for years let the good times roll Goodluck pic.twitter.com/0e4oMgnyPH
— DWTSIrelandFans (@Dwtsireireland) December 9, 2017
3 Cork sports stars on #DWTSIrl – @AnnaGCork @Tomas_OLeary @RM_Heffernan ye'll be flat out in @Reardenscork trying to share out the votes!! ????????????????????????????????????????????
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) December 9, 2017
9. #Sneachta
The first major snowfall of the year has covered several areas of Ireland. Warnings have been issued by Met Eireann for several counties. The snow has given people opportunities for mesmerizing photography and fun which they showcased on Twitter.
Another interview in the can for @3NewsIreland’s #snow #sneachta coverage in Laoise
“Snow comment” pic.twitter.com/5vkwzKaxbT
— Ruairi Carroll (@RCarrollTV) December 10, 2017
The Gaelic Chieftain in the snow #roscommon #Ireland #Sneachta pic.twitter.com/VtvbJnIUOt
— Val (@magnumlady) December 8, 2017
I’ve made to Lough dan on foot, do not attempt to drive, roads are impassable #Wicklow #Ireland #Sneachta pic.twitter.com/cH1yC0mkzm
— KB photography Ireland (@KBProductionsIR) December 10, 2017
10. Ballymun
A shooting took place in Ballymun, injuring one man in his 40s. This shooting comes days after a garda was shot attempting to enter a house in Ballymun. People tweeted words of encouragement at the garda concerned.
In recent weeks we've been calling for the Gardai to increase patrols in Ballymun to tackle open drug dealing. This morning's operation was an example of how Gardai regularly put their life on the line to protect the community. They desperately need more resources.
— Paul McAuliffe (@PaulMcauliffe) December 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/padraig_reilly/status/938740368513884160
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, send us a request at info@olytico.com or click here.
Fun fact for the UK media. Arlene Foster is no more first minister of Northern Ireland than I am.
— Conor Gallagher (@ConorGallaghe_r) December 4, 2017