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.
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The Top 10 Twitter Trends in Ireland from last week (8th – 14th August 2016) are summarised below.
1. #PullLikeADog #ODonovanBrothers #Skibereen, Shteak
Irish rowing silver medalists the O’Donovan brothers dominated social media last week as they became the first Irish rowers to win Olympic medals. It was their charm and laid back wit however that engrossed global audiences after their post race interviews went viral.
Crying tears of pride & laughter here watching #odonovanbrothers interview now on @RTE2 😂😂😂 #legends @skibbrowing 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/2xbvjloJAf
— Niamh O'Connor RD (@CorkNutrition) August 12, 2016
When asked about their strategy for the medal race their reply was steak, spuds and pull like a dog. The phrase rapidly took off donning t-shirts and becoming a hashtag of its own #PullLikeADog.
It may need to be done!!! #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/CSMDw932v2
— Hairy Baby T-Shirts (@HairyBabyTees) August 11, 2016
The hashtag took on a life of its own spawning its own Twitter page and the #PullLikeADogChallenge created by RTE.
#PullLikeADogChallenge @CrossfitCork @RTEsport @HeagaSteve you're up next! #onefortyonepointone #500m #rowing pic.twitter.com/XdJ4TgEHzq
— Chris Hodge (@hodgechris) August 15, 2016
2. Annalise Murphy
Irish Olympic laser boat sailor Annalise Murphy was one of the Irish Olympians that caught Twitter’s attention last week as she powered through her initial races, leaving her lying in bronze medal position ahead of the medal race. UPDATE Annalise went on to win the silver medal for Ireland.
Waving in @Annalise_Murphy as she finishes her Olympic series. Just the medal race to go, we're doing the math pic.twitter.com/AJVu8X0weu
— Sinead O'Carroll (@SineadOCarroll) August 13, 2016
3. #BrendanDassey, #MakingAMurderer
Popular 2015 Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer dominated news headlines again last week as it was announced that one of the shows subject’s Brendan Dassey, had his conviction overturned.
The series, outlined numerous alleged flaws in the case against him and suggested that police investigators had unfairly questioned Dassey, then 16, without a lawyer or parent present. These findings and global popularity of the series prompted demands for judicial review.
Want to read the Brendan Dassey decision in full? Here it is: https://t.co/mYpi1S1fgv #brendandassey #MakingAMurderer
— Gavin Sheridan (@gavinsblog) August 12, 2016
It is a sad fact of reality that had #MakingAMurderer not been made @netflix #brendandassey would never have been freed
— James McNamara (@jimmymacRTE) August 13, 2016
4. Olympic trends
The Olympics of course dominated Twitter conversations last week with an array of Irish and international Olympians and general Olympic sports trending in Ireland over the course of the week.
The Olympic sports that got Irish Twitter users excited last week were: rowing; athletics; diving; rugby 7s; basketball; and steeplechase as they all trended on Twitter last week.
Meanwhile over in the #diving at #Rio2016 #RioOlympics2016 pic.twitter.com/DMyaIMMruD
— Flagman Ireland (@flagmanireland) August 10, 2016
Irish Olympians who trended last week were: 800m runner, Mark English; 1,500m runner, Ciara Mageean; badminton player, Scott Evans; lightweight doubles rower, Claire Lambe; light heavyweight boxer, Joe Ward; and light fly boxer, Paddy Barnes.
it's happening. Enjoy every moment.
— Keith Barry (@KeithpBarry) August 14, 2016
International Olympians who trended were: British 10,000m runner, Mo Farrah; British Gymnast, Max Whitlock; Jamaican 100m sprinter, Usain Bolt; British golfer, Justin rose; British tennis player, Andy Murray; US gymnast, Simone Biles; US swimmer, Michael Phelps; British diver, Dan Goodfellow; British diver, Tom Daley; British diver, Jack Laugher; and US sprinter, Justin Gatlin.
Crying along with Simone Biles. This is literally the only thing I can do as well as she can.
— aoife (@aoiph) August 11, 2016
5. #PuckFair
The annual Puck Fair festival took place in Killorglin, Kerry last weekend for its 413th recorded fair. This years King Puck goat took centre stage as it was crowned by the Queen of the Fair, school girl Kerry Lynch and surveyed proceedings from its royal perch.
Spot the billy goat! @puck_fair #puckfair #PullLikeADog #kerry 💪🏼😜 pic.twitter.com/4qRvxKvZQY
— Deric (@deric_tv) August 12, 2016
Animal rights activists protested the festival on Twitter claiming that the wild goat should not be included in the festivities.
@IrelandAMTV3 shameful promoting the disgusting #puckfair, just a cruel piss up
— stephendonnelly (@tecumsehvalley) August 12, 2016
6. #EPL, #ArsvLiv, #WengerOut, #BouMun
Liverpool came from behind to beat Arsenal 4-3 away to get their Premier League campaign off to a winning start last weekend. Arsenal fans seemed frustrated with the outcome on Twitter as #WengerOut began trending as the match was coming to an end.
https://twitter.com/ericlalor/status/764862566128611328
Already had no enthusiasm for this season. This result just typifies Arsenal under #Wenger. Just depressing. #WengerOut
— John Quinn (@jquinn) August 14, 2016
Manchester United began their new era under Jose Mourinho with a 3-1 win at Bournemouth in their opening game of the English Premier League season on Sunday.
Zlatan is fantastic! What a guy, what charisma!!! Welcome to the premier league! #MUFC #ZlatanTime #BOUMUN
— Charlotte Keating (@Charkea) August 14, 2016
7. #GarysPants
Gary Lineker presented BBC’s Match of the Day in his underwear last Saturday. Former Leicester striker Lineker vowed to go on live television in his underwear in December if Leicester won the Premier League title last season. He has spent the last few months getting ready for the reveal since the big win.
Fair play to @GaryLineker. Man of his word. Top banter. #garyspants #MOTD pic.twitter.com/D0TaT1J3Md
— Karl O’Shaughnessy (@OShaughnessyK) August 13, 2016
How long can they keep the straight faces?! 😂 #MOTD #garyspants
— Amanda Connolly (@tweets_amanda) August 13, 2016
8. #KennyBaker
Kenny Baker, the British actor who starred as the robot R2-D2 in the Star Wars movies, died on Saturday at the age of 81. Kenny first played R2-D2 in the original Star Wars movie in 1977 and then in the five following movies. Heartfelt Twitter tributes were posted from co-workers and fans alike.
https://twitter.com/JeremyDixonDJ/status/764520832962027520
Sad beep indeed. #R2D2 #kennybaker pic.twitter.com/fjOmmjTAr9
— Sharon Casey Ledwidge (@sharonledwidge) August 13, 2016
9. GAA, #TippvGalway, #KilvWat #Camogie
The Hurling and Camogie semi-finals took place last weekend and Twitter was buzzing with commentary, congratulations and commiserations. Tipperary beat Galway on Sunday 2-19 to 2-18 and will face Kilkenny in the All Ireland final as they came out on top in their replay against Waterford 2-19 to 2-17.
This is amazing stuff from @TipperaryGAA , 10 ahead but could well be 15… #honthepremier #tippvgalway @TheSundayGame
— Conor Kane (@ConorKane0909) July 31, 2016
Just watched back the #WATvKIL match again. What a game of hurling. Absolutely scintillating. Lots to be proud of, still absolutely gutting
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) August 14, 2016
In the camogie Kilkenny just edged past Galway 3-15 to 1-19 to secure the win. Cork put Wexford to bed after extra time in their semi-final on Saturday beating them 0-19 to 0-15
Some outstanding scores in yesterday's #Camogie semi-finals #TheSundayGame Great final to look forward to #OurGameYourGame
— Tracey Kennedy (@Tracey_Cork) August 14, 2016
Kilkenny have lots of switches from their QF line out. They have become a very tactical side. Kilkenny win for me. #Camogie #GalvKil
— Ann Marie (@AnnMarieGuinan) August 13, 2016
10. Bobby Kerr
Irish entrepreneur and News talk host Bobby Kerr trended on Twitter in Ireland last week as he presented his show Down to Business in the Café in Limerick’s Hunt museum. The theme of the show was ‘Winning Back the High Street’ in association with Vodafone.
#legendsunite @GearoidEire gets to meet the main man @bobbykerr @HuntMuseum Great show @NewstalkFM #bobbybizlimerick pic.twitter.com/IUtU13pI7s
— Colm O'Brien (@colmobrien31) August 13, 2016
Really enjoying @bobbykerr #DownToBusiness @NewstalkFM this morning from Limerick, covering great range of sectors here #BobbyBizLimerick
— Cllr Olivia O'Sullivan (@oliviaos) August 13, 2016