Facebook looks back on 2019
Ireland’s been talking and Facebook’s been listening, taking the opportunity to release the nation’s most discussed moments in 2019.
Sharing its annual Year in Review, the social media platform revealed the likes of Munster Rugby, Electric Picnic, Gay Byrne and, of course, Brexit as the most talked about and celebrated moments on Facebook in Ireland in 2019.
Gay Byrne passed away on 4 November aged 85 after a short illness, bringing the entire nation together in mourning the loss of a broadcasting legend.
Meanwhile, the Brexit saga roared on and was a dominant topic of conversation throughout 2019 after an initial exit day had been set for 29 March 2019.
Facebook Ireland has released a monthly breakdown of the topics for 2019 which motivated people to come together online, listing Munster Rugby as the number one discussed topic in January last year.
Commenting on the 2019 Year in Review, Gareth Lambe, Head of Facebook Ireland, said: “Every day, people come to Facebook to connect with their friends and family, to support the causes they believe in and talk about the things that matter to them. It’s incredible to see the range of topics discussed on Facebook by people in Ireland.”
As part of the reveal, Instagram has also chipped in with its own input, publishing the most followed accounts and hashtags in Ireland in 2019.
The top five most followed hashtags were Irish Interiors, Mrs Hinch, Wild Atlantic Way, Love and Love Island, with the most followed accounts being Conor McGregor, Seán McLoughlin, Maura Higgins, Rory McIlroy and Dee Devlin.
Mr Lambe said: “Instagram is about bringing you closer to the people and things you love through creative expression and inspiring people to discover and explore their interests. The 2019 most followed accounts and hashtags highlights that people in Ireland have a love for sports, interiors, nature, and of course Love Island.”
The Year in Review also celebrated the people who use Facebook, with a personalised Year in Review video.
Year in Review topic breakdown:
January - Munster Rugby
February - Lady Gaga performance at the Oscars
March - Christchurch mosque attack
April - Notre Dame Paris fire
May - ‘Game of Thrones’ finale
June - President Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland
July - Fortnite Battle Royale at the Fortnite World Cup 2019
August - Amazon forest fires
September - Electric Picnic
October - Brexit
November - Gay Byrne