Here is what got Irish people talking on Twitter this year

They also announced the tweets with the most likes and retweets as well as the top Twitter moments that had us talking.

So let's have a look at what we were all talking about this year.

News

This year, Ireland’s eyes followed decisions around #Brexit closely, making it the top shared news hashtag by Irish Twitter.

Political discourse was as popular as ever with other hot topics including the local elections #LE19 and #Budget2020.

Environmental issues came to the fore on Twitter in Ireland during 2019 with #ClimateStrike becoming a hugely popular news hashtag, inspired by the momentous campaigning by Greta Thunberg.

Other popular climate-themed hashtags shared this year were #ClimateChange and #FridaysForFuture.

We Irish love talking about the weather, and it's no different on Twitter with #StormLorenzo and the hilarious Tweets around what could have been featuring heavily.

This is what happens when you fall for a #StormLorenzo.
You get all excited, he breezes in, lots of noise & promises, and then you wake up in the morning disappointed, wondering what all the fuss was about. A little wet.
Wouldn't happen with boring names like #StormDamian pic.twitter.com/ujXqNLlX44

— Damian Cullen (@Damian_Cullen) October 4, 2019

When it came to international news, #Brexit and #ClimateStrike were two of the top hashtags, alongside the Rugby World Cup, #RWC2019, discussions around the fire at #NotreDame, and all things #Trump, impeachment and American politics.

Social issues

There were many social issues to shout about in Ireland and globally this year and Irish campaigners harnessed the power of Twitter in 2019 to raise awareness about the causes closest to their hearts.

#ClimateStrike topped the list which included #20x20 and its #CantSeeCantBe campaign, calling for greater participation in the coverage of and support for women in sport.

We are very grateful to Laura Brennan for contacting @HSELive to advocate for the #HPVVaccine.

We sincerely thank Laura's family for continuing to spread Lauras message about getting the facts about #HPV vaccine #ThankYouLaura #CBLive #ProtectOurFuture

— HSE National Immunisation Office (NIO) (@HSEImm) September 16, 2019

This was followed by #ThankYouLaura - honouring Laura Brennan and the fight against HPV related cancers in Ireland - and the ever-present issues around homelessness, #RaiseTheRoof, campaigning against #DirectProvision.

Sport

As always, sport was one of the most discussed topics on Twitter during the year and Liverpool, @LFC, beat Manchester United, @ManUtd to be the most mentioned sports team on Irish Twitter.

Using cutting-edge technology, @StanChart have Bob Paisley and Jürgen Klopp walk the same Anfield pitch 🔴 #StandRed pic.twitter.com/9iZJqjW3TC

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 9, 2019

Not surprisingly @OfficialGaa, @FAIreland and @IrishRugby were also up there in the most mentioned.

Entertainment

Topping the list of most talked about entertainment moments on Irish Twitter was #LoveIsland featuring the antics of our very own @MauraHiggins and Greg O’Shea (@GOSofficialpage).

So overwhelmed & speechless with all the support & love I have received 🙊 Thankyou all so much with the bottom of my heart ♥️ I never expected to last a week in the villa never mind get to THE FINAL 😳 love you all so much ❤️ 🌴

— Maura Higgins (@MauraHiggins) July 31, 2019

This was followed closely by the final series of one of television history’s most popular ever TV shows, #GameOfThrones while the Late Late Show, #LateLate, and the hilarious #DerryGirls, were also on the list.

Closing it out was one of the most talked-about music competitions of the year, #Eurovision.

Pop stars

America’s Sweetheart A.K.A @LewisCapaldi … or should we say Irish Sweetheart, he tops the list of most talked about artist handles in Ireland.

The man who mixed rap with country and rode his horse until he couldn’t no more, truly stole Irish hearts as @Lilnasx makes it to the top of Irish rankings.

Irish Twitter was hugely supportive of the English man who Tweeted “Taytos are the best crisps in the universe THE END as you were”, @LiamGallagher.

Taytos are the best crisps in the universe THE END as you were LG x

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) March 26, 2019

And we continued to show our love for the pop charts this year with lots of Tweets about vocal queens @ArianaGrande and @MileyCyrus, as well as one of our own, @Hozier.

The Golden Tweets: Most popular liked and retweeted

Some of the most popular Tweets this year in Ireland include:

"I hear people talking as if this country owns Ireland.

"Ireland owes this country nothing."

Bonnie Greer on Newsnight is going to be VERY popular on this side of the Irish Sea.pic.twitter.com/ec5fA1HyLS

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) October 3, 2019

Isn’t it ironic...my Achilles heel has literally been my Achilles heel and finished me off!

I am now retired from playing football

It’s been epic

Veni vidi vici pic.twitter.com/ZC3m0LmYn5

— Jonathan Walters (@JonWalters19) March 22, 2019

What a grueling and amazing night at MSG! Dream come true to come away with all the belts. It was a very close fight but mission accomplished! Thanks so much to the fans for all the support. Today is a day for celebrating with family as UNDISPUTED! pic.twitter.com/xKsSsT6Xjr

— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) June 2, 2019

Please retweet. Looking for social media help please.
Has anyone seen my son Paul in around Hale, Manchester , London or any airports in the past few days? Police have been informed but we are very concerned and someone somewhere might have spotted him #thankyou pic.twitter.com/qebz5ks9MA

— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) July 25, 2019

When I was in the city last week, these three Irishmen asked me to take a photo of them, but none of them had phones.
“you’ll take the picture and we’ll find it someday”
so if by some strange turn of events anyone knows these guys, here’s their photo pic.twitter.com/ZrPvKXusJ7

— Christina (@CBones705) May 12, 2019

Top Twitter moments that had us talking

Legally Blonde! pic.twitter.com/8OIffq7f3f

— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) October 31, 2019

This has been a burden in my life for a few years now and finally I have got to the bottom of it...... pic.twitter.com/0YqJAoXuK1

— Coleen Rooney (@ColeenRoo) October 9, 2019

Lorenzo is now an extremely powerful category 5 hurricane. It is the strongest hurricane on record this far north and east in the Atlantic basin. pic.twitter.com/nUR5ugJws7

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 29, 2019

The moment Amber and Greg found out they were the WINNERS of #LoveIsland 2019! 😭💕 pic.twitter.com/CHIR72CQ43

— Love Island (@LoveIsland) July 29, 2019