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 (17th – 23rd April 2017) are summarised below.
1. #NationalMaternityHospital
Protest and controversy has surrounded the ownership of the National Maternity Hospital after statements outlining the planned move of the hospital to “a religious-owned site at St Vincent’s Hospital” were released. Campaigners claim that handing over the hospital to the Sisters of Charity could be disastrous for Irish women due to the Sister’s religious affiliation. Although the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, had stated that there is “no question of religious interference”, the protesters are working tirelessly to have their voices heard.
Don't hand over our #NationalMaternityHospital –
Full page ad in the Sunday Independent, crowdfunded by 899 @UpliftIRL members. pic.twitter.com/zmtFqn08QD— Ruairí McKiernan (@ruairimckiernan) April 23, 2017
"Gifting of #NationalMaternityHospital to Sisters of Charity after their behaviour and treatment of victims is obscene" – @loreillysf pic.twitter.com/oS06bnqkA9
— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) April 20, 2017
1-2pm Thurs, protest at Dept Health Hawkins Hse. Don't give Sisters of Charity #nationalmaternityhospital not trustworthy with womens health pic.twitter.com/luWEhKKBNr
— Donal O'Kelly (@DonalOKelly) April 19, 2017
2. #IMOAGM17
The Irish Medical Organisation held their annual general meeting from April 20th to 23rd at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Galway. The IMO represents all doctors in Ireland with newly inducted president Dr. Ann Hogan leading the council. The council is composed of doctors determined to improve the health service industry in Ireland. At the annual general meeting, the council passes motions, amends previous motions that need improvement and discuss pertinent topics within the medical field.
Congrats to organising committee of #imoagm17 on a great event @IMO_IRL pic.twitter.com/3AXhICJLTP
— Rosarii Mannion #StaySafe #HoldFirm (@rosarii_mannion) April 23, 2017
#IMOAGM17 is over and what a year it's been. Now on to the next challenge. pic.twitter.com/IkPQTwkFgY
— John Duddy (@DrJohnDuddy) April 23, 2017
3. #CitizensAssembly
Last weekend, the Citizen’s Assembly voted, with overwhelming support, in favour of a woman’s right to have an abortion. The Citizen’s Assembly is a group meant to equally represent the Irish population by age, gender, socio-economic class, and urban/rural residency. The group voted that they wanted to see the Eighth Amendment replaced rather than repealing it completely. The Citizen’s Assembly vote may now move the country toward legalising abortion with a possible referendum as early as next spring.
My mother @anningle Is my hero …. ❤️https://t.co/k5Jx5E3j6Y #repealthe8th @repealproject #CitizensAssembly
— Roisin Ingle (@roisiningle) April 23, 2017
.Took the liberty of charting that to make the trends more visible, if that's all right! #CitizensAssembly #repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/jZRvlFZTtF
— Morgan McEvoy (@kamikasei) April 23, 2017
Incredibly progressive results on ballot 4. Majority, 64% favour access to abortion on request #CitizensAssembly
— Colm O'Gorman (@Colmogorman) April 23, 2017
4. #pmVIPStyleAwards
The annual Peter Mark VIP Style Awards rolled out the red carpet for Ireland’s most stylish stars on April 21st. Celebrating its 16th anniversary, the event handed out its prestigious awards such as “Favourite Irish Designer”, “Most Stylish Newcomer”, and “Look of the Year”, claimed this year by model and beauty blogger Pippa O’Connor. A fan-favourite was football player and Dancing with the Stars winner Aidan O’Mahony who made an appearance sporting his first fake tan.
I can't believe this happened last night! For all of the votes, tweets, snapchats and love, thank you. 😘😘 #pmVIPStyleAwards pic.twitter.com/avLPlPjwzZ
— Doireann Garrihy (@DoireannGarrihy) April 22, 2017
Well @RTE2fm was well represented at the @VIPmagaz #pmVIPStyleAwards on Friday…bunch of messers! 😄😄😄 pic.twitter.com/74lYFCp0C1
— BlathnaidT (@BlathnaidT) April 23, 2017
5. #RSD17
Every April, record enthusiasts and all-things-retro lovers celebrate Record Store Day around the world. This year was no different as record shops saw a “month worth of trade in a weekend” according to Banquet Records owner Jon Tolley in Kingston, Britian. Ireland’s record stores also saw a high flux in sales for the day. Customer’s even began queuing the night before the event. Twitter was buzzing with nostalgic stories, live music events and even a comical tweet from NASA’s Voyager mission about the famous golden record.
Ultimate Limited Release: The making of the #GoldenRecord I'm carrying through interstellar space: https://t.co/cjoGUiXDKg #RSD17 #voyager40 pic.twitter.com/WN00T0qX4I
— NASA Voyager (@NASAVoyager) April 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/altclassic/status/855681102568181760
fantastic evening of live music @TheLiquorRooms for #RSD17 y'day thanks to @TowerDublin
@fictionpeaks @Ham_Sandwich @KatieLaffan @ThirdSmoke pic.twitter.com/XyMMDEsy53— ★garry baylon★ (@chunky66) April 23, 2017
6. Handsome Devil
Writer and director John Butler’s new film Handsome Devil was the star of many rave reviews after its Irish release on April 21st. The film centers around the struggles of Ned as he struggles to adapt to a new school that favours rugby over Ned’s passion for music. The plot thickens when Ned is forced to room with Conor, a star rugby player who is battling demons of his own. The films portrays bullying in a realistic way while also providing the audience with a heart-warming (sometimes heart-breaking) coming-of-age story.
My 4**** review of Handsome Devil in today's @SunTimesIreland Culture mag. pic.twitter.com/3JUvq6XVmT
— Katy Hayes (@Katy_Hayes) April 23, 2017
@handsomefilm is an absolutely lovely film with stellar performances! Thx for a great night @mrjohnbutler @FionnOS @IFI_Dub! #HandsomeDevil pic.twitter.com/tX0sTQvcU1
— 62georgestreet (@jkbolio) April 23, 2017
Seeing Handsome Devil with Mom and Dad tonight will be their first time in a cinema in 20 years. Excited doesn't describe it! #HandsomeDevil https://t.co/F2Z2AVdI7w
— Jamie Hallahan (@Jamie_Hallahan) April 21, 2017
7. #wwfof17
The seaside town of Dungarvan was busy hosting foodies from all over Ireland last weekend for the 10th annual West Waterford Festival of Food. As it does every year, the event showcased locally grown food and produce. This year offered masterclasses, health-conscious seminars and demonstrations while also opening the town to a host of activities such as bus tours and nature walks. The even saw the greatest number of tourists and attendees in its history which can only promise success for next year’s festival.
A tired, but VERY happy #wwfof17 #crew HUGE thanks to all involved in helping us celebrate our 10th birthday 🎉🎂🎉 See you at #wwfof18 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/nHxL47iM0T
— West Waterford Festival of Food (@WdFoodFestival) April 23, 2017
The Reluctant #Coeliac is in da house. There will be cake courtesy of @izabarro @WdFoodFestival #wwfof17 pic.twitter.com/ek7cKemZYR
— Rob Whinnett (@Blastawf) April 23, 2017
Fantastic atmosphere in #Dungarvan for #wwfof17 🎉 Great coffee from @BadgerAndDodo is needed to face the fun & crowds ☕ pic.twitter.com/KOmehCkurH
— Shannon Forrest (@waittilitellya) April 23, 2017
8. #esai17
The annual Education Studies Association of Ireland conference was held April 20th to the 22nd at University College Cork. This year the conference’s theme was “Changing research: working the spaces between education policy and practice” and aimed to expose some of the challenges found in educational research. Leading up to the event, academic papers were able to be submitted by researchers to be used during the conference. The keynote speaker, Dr. Anne Looney, led the discussion for what the association called the most successful conference yet.
#esai17 While others slept or whatever… :) Folders, programmes, booklets… #ThanksToThePackingCrew :) pic.twitter.com/3sRcp7iAM4
— Conor Galvin (@_conorgalvin) April 20, 2017
Outstanding panel session to open #esai17 conference @esai_irl pic.twitter.com/mCVU0OAbWL
— Enda (@donenda) April 20, 2017
Let's make research visual and practical says @econrachel @PDST_Ireland via @sylviaduckworth #esai17 @esai_irl pic.twitter.com/hRnJTJUm5g
— T. Ó Lionáird (@toirdealbhach) April 22, 2017
9. #BackedByAIB
The AIB Start-Up Academy national competition final took place last week on April 21st. The competition challenges nearly 500 entrepreneurs to pitch their idea to a panel of judges. The judges then narrow the hopeful candidates down to just 14 to go to the final. After the start-ups a short, “elevator pitch”, the judges deliberate who will be awarded the large cash prize and the expert advice that comes with it. This year Ostoform, “a medical device that aims to manage peristomal skin complications for people with ileostomies,” claimed the prize with the utmost gratitude.
https://twitter.com/fimahon/status/855123534544334848
Best of luck to the AIB Start Up Academy finalists tonight. Huge night for them all. Coverage on @AIBBiz all evening! 🎟💼🎤🏆 #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/eToYf51TZo
— Róisín Glynn (@RoisinGlynn) April 20, 2017
Goodluck to all the start-ups tonight ahead of the AIB start-up academy final pitch. You got this! #backedbyAIB pic.twitter.com/i84H2Wui1R
— Ciara Brennan (@Ciara_Breno) April 20, 2017
10. #Cruinniú
Easter Monday brought the first nationwide Cruinniú na Cásca to Ireland. The free public event aims to celebrate Irish culture through creative outlets such as poetry readings, music events, dance performances and more. The festival saw more than half a million people attend to experience the Irish arts. Photos of families and children enjoying the festivities were abundant on social media making for a very joyous Easter Monday.
Huge thanks to all the artists, musicians, poets, writers, dancers, actors, designers, filmmakers, speakers who made #Cruinniú a special day pic.twitter.com/zIMZgZPnu9
— John Concannon (@JCGalway) April 18, 2017
The fantastic sounds of Dublin yesterday at #Cruinniu Custom House! @creativeirl pic.twitter.com/GdO9fA848S
— The Finns (@TheFinnsMusic) April 18, 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.