Jessica Hergert is a junior at Rider University. 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 (27th February – 5th March 2017) are summarised below.
1. #AE17
The Northern Ireland Assembly election took place last weekend yielding promising results for the country. Although recounts are underway, it is projected that Sinn Féin is the nationalist frontrunner, with unionists currently on level pegging. One of the biggest consequences from the election is the Democratic Unionist Party’s loss of veto power in regards to same-sex marriage. Overall, Twitter users seemed content with the presumed results as they would see Northern Ireland move toward the legalisation of same-sex marriage.
https://twitter.com/dzstin/status/838042329034407936
LGBTQ people of Northern Ireland deserve #marriageequalityNI = 2 everyone else! #LoveisLove @WipeHomophobia @KevinPONeil @YesEquality2017 pic.twitter.com/LmIqsCzW13
— No_More_Mr_Nice_Democrat (@WillConard) March 1, 2017
2. #WorldBookDay
The 20th Anniversary of World Book Day in Ireland was celebrated Thursday, March 2nd. The event aims to promote the joy of reading to children of every age. Book tokens and discounts were plentiful during the event. They allowed access to the magic of books for every child, regardless of their financial background. Children came into school dressed as their favourite book characters including Harry Potter, Katniss Everdeen and, even, Sherlock Holmes!
The hardest thing about getting older on #WorldBookDay pic.twitter.com/QSca5cTOt5
— TwistedDoodles (@twisteddoodles) March 2, 2017
Y1 – HW Another great gathering of young wizards #WorldBookDay20 #HarryPotter ⚡️📚@WorldBookDayUK pic.twitter.com/efGAn7IWUa
— Holme Valley (@HolmeValleySch) March 4, 2017
3. #BusÉireann
Trade unions, SIPTU and the NBRU, cancelled their planned strike last weekend after agreeing to begin talks with Bus Éireann at the Workplace Relations Commission. The cause of the conflict stems from a multitude of problems related to job cuts, location closings and more. Bus Éireann says they are taking the would-be strike seriously and are hoping to resolve the problem through meaningful discussion.
With Cllr @EFFanning supporting the #buseireann drivers & standing up for public transport outside Busarás pic.twitter.com/llh7c2COGV
— Sorcha Ní Aoláin (@SJTHolland) March 3, 2017
4. #TravellerEthnicity
Taoiseach Enda Kenny formally recognised the ethnicity of the Irish Traveller last week. This historic ruling marks the beginning of rectifying years of prejudice and discrimination against the nomadic group. The newly-recognised minority group is hopeful that this will lead to overall better living conditions, attaining their basic human rights and gaining respect from the public that has not existed before.
Amazing scenes in Leinster House for recognition of #TravellerEthnicity well done to all who have campaigned for this.@GerryAdamsSF pic.twitter.com/H4RfDsBqDu
— Cllr Noeleen Reilly (@NoeleenReilly) March 1, 2017
We salute our many friends in the Traveller Community & @PaveePoint on this historic day of #TravellerEthnicity recognition by @EndaKennyTD pic.twitter.com/sZP3BFOpj5
— The Cobblestone 🎻 (@CobblestoneDub) March 1, 2017
Recognition of #TravellerEthnicity shines a light on Travellers' rich distinct history and culture – Martin Collins https://t.co/Zk7ORHz99s pic.twitter.com/l40vQ89ut0
— Pavee Point (@PaveePoint) March 1, 2017
5. #ITTheatreAwards
The 20th Anniversary Irish Times Theatre Awards took place on March 5th, filling the auditorium with brilliant stage artists of every sort. David Ireland’s play Cyprus Avenue took home the award for Best Play. Jane Daly and Siobhán Bourke won the Irish Times Special Tribute Award for their years of commitment to Irish theatre. Overall, the Irish Times said they were pleased with the diversity of the awards and proud fans of the theatre took to Twitter to congratulate the winners.
What a night – four #ITTheatreawards – Best Actor, Best Actress, Best New Play, Best Sound and Composition pic.twitter.com/PErHvg3k5H
— Abbey Theatre (@AbbeyTheatre) March 5, 2017
Congratulations to @garryhynes who was awarded best director at #ITTheatreAwards tonight in #Dublin pic.twitter.com/MHSNOC7OEQ
— Mick O'Dea (@MickODeaArtist) March 5, 2017
6. #PancakeTuesday
Lent began last week following an eventful Pancake Tuesday feast that swept across Ireland. Also known as Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day is rooted in Catholic tradition and is celebrated in many different ways throughout the world. In Ireland, pancakes were whipped up by the dozen with many connoisseurs taking photos of their creations to post on social media.
Yum day in the kitchen and on the road with @CrokeParkEvents for #PancakeTuesday pic.twitter.com/KU73g4iMZp
— Aoife McCrum (@aoifemccrum) February 28, 2017
What a great location for #PancakeTuesday – the fabulous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in Northern Ireland pic.twitter.com/vGxCwZMIwl
— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) February 28, 2017
7. #TuamBabies
On March 3rd a horrifying discovery was made in Tuam, Co. Galway when the human remains of hundreds of young children were found under what used to be the site of an institution for unmarried mothers. Radiocarbon dating estimates the deaths likely occurred when the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home was in operation from 1925 to 1961. Although the causes of death are suspected to be natural, the magnitude of bodies discovered is more than shocking. Officials say other possible excavation sites may be investigated soon.
Lighting a candle at home for the #TuamBabies It feels important to remember them tonight, and to try bring their memory home pic.twitter.com/HMpkCsLlWw
— Colm O'Gorman (@Colmogorman) March 3, 2017
'Locals are bewildered, shocked & upset' Henry in Tuam @NewstalkDrive @NewstalkFM #tuambabies https://t.co/HvuVVj9vOF
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) March 7, 2017
8. #Zelda
Fans of the Zelda video games rushed out to buy the newest addition to the franchise – Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Released on an entirely new, portable gaming console called the Nintendo Switch, Zelda has video-game-lovers everywhere talking. Despite mixed reviews for the overall Switch system, the majority of players are loving the unique, open-world format of the game and the nostalgic “feels” they are getting from seeing the beloved Link in a new adventure.
New Comic for any Zelda fans! #zelda #BreathOfTheWild #LegendOfZelda #nintendoswitch Shop here: https://t.co/pqfRn0Fe5G pic.twitter.com/Ee24ThnKIt
— Gone into Rapture (@Goneintorapture) March 5, 2017
Gone adventuring. #zelda pic.twitter.com/QJn5iI0KCJ
— Jason Tammemagi (@jasontammemagi) March 3, 2017
Do you like my new Nintendo Switch? 😜#nintendoswitch #Nintendo #gamedev #indiedev #gamer #LegendOfZelda #Zelda #ZeldaBreathoftheWild pic.twitter.com/VjBO4ZZezP
— Javier Cobos (@javiercobosmesa) March 5, 2017
9. #Belgrade2017
A team of ten from Ireland attended the 34th annual European Athletics Indoor Championship that took place on March 3rd to 5th in Belgrade, Serbia. Despite high hopes from fans, Ireland’s team fell short and did not place in any of the final events. Ciara Mageean, a promising 1500m candidate could not finish the race due to an injury.
Morning report: Neville and Healy rise to the occasion @sportsdes #belgrade2017 https://t.co/Q2F3m8lrx7 pic.twitter.com/kv7YAUggWO
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) March 4, 2017
Lights going out on a boulevard of broken dreams #irishathletics #belgrade2017 pic.twitter.com/zG9qngbzyL
— Dave Hooper (@davehooperSSNS) March 4, 2017
10. #MWC17
As the world’s largest mobile industry convention, the Mobile World Congress brought in a crowd of 100,000 to Barcelona Spain during the week long event from February 27th to March 2nd. Ireland brought an impressive 14 enterprise companies to the event. According to RTE, Ireland is well respected within the field. Although the Global Market Awards went to other companies like Salesforce1, Ireland’s presence did not go unnoticed.
Rocking the floor @SAPStartups booth at #MWC17 – @Celonis @sensifyspain @Incelligent @capriza pic.twitter.com/jtDkm4SjJ0
— Gina Salluzzi (@ginasalluzzi3) March 2, 2017
With #5G touted by Verizon at #MWC17 you could download month's supply of their current Unlimited* DataLimit in 1sec https://t.co/gSu4jiLHBS pic.twitter.com/NWeJEsEFT2
— mHealth Insight (@mHealthInsight) March 2, 2017
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.