2020 THE YEAR THAT WAS
Twitter is what’s happening. It’s the place for the funniest, most interesting and relevant cultural moments, conversations and movements of the year. It is about what we are thinking, feeling, and talking about. 2020 was a year none of us will forget and many of us spent it together on Twitter. Twitter builds communities and brings people together 2020 was truly the year when we came together to get through the trials and tribulations of the pandemic and the #lockdown.
Be The Change You Want To See In The World - #ActsOfKindness were big on Twitter and Helen O’Rahilly used Twitter to coordinate volunteers in her vicinity, but the hashtag #SelfIsolationHelp caught on nationwide with thousands of people across the country signing up to help. Not to mention keeping us all laughing as she shared the hilarious, poignant and emotional experience of caring for her elderly aunt in #StairliftAscends.
How We Made It Through 2020 - Irish comedian Alison Spittle entertained the nation during lockdown by creating the #CovideoParty community. After seeing gigs cancelled she needed to keep busy and what better way than to watch movies with thousands of virtual friends. In a year when TV was one of the best forms of getting through it all, we came together to talk about Sally Rooney’s #NormalPeople. Paul Mescal (and #ConnellsChain) became instant sensations so it’s not surprising that some UK media outlets wanted to claim him as their own. But Paul’s succinct “I’m Irish” Tweet put everything right and it became the most liked Tweet on Irish Twitter in 2020.
Any News? - In addition to #Covid19 and #Coronavirus, Irish Twitter was talking about #GE2020. It was also the year when the world and Ireland stood up and shouted that #BlackLivesMatter, following the tragic death of #GeorgeFloyd. Other topics Ireland’s eyes followed this year were #GolfGate and the continued ups and downs of #Brexit, the #LFC becoming Premier League champions and of course #Trump and all things #Election2020.
The country collectively showed its appreciation to @CMOIreland Tony Holohan when he announced he was talking time away to spend with his family early this summer. Ireland also mourned the sad and untimely passing of much loved and admired actor Chadwick Boseman in August. And Ireland and the world, seemed to wait with bated breath until Joe Biden was announced as President-elect.
Keepy-Uppy The Top Of The List - In a year when we didn’t have much live sport, we continued to talk about our favourite sport’s stars on Irish Twitter. Marcus Rashford’s work on and off the pitch made him the most talked about sports person on Irish Twitter in 2020. He was followed by our own Conor McGregor; France International and Man Utd’s Paul Pogba; then the untimely loss of Kobe Bryant; and a third footballer, Bruno Fernandes, rounding out the list and showing the continued popularity of soccer Twitter. Of course another of the top global sporting stories on Twitter this year was the death of one of soccer’s greatest legends, Diego Maradona, with millions sharing their love on the platform and tributes continuing to pour in every day.
Chart Toppers - When it comes to Irish Twitter’s favourite tunes, 2020 was the year for @ArianaGrande climbed the charts to hit the top spot, up from last year’s fourth. Joining her in second and third were our own @NiallOfficial and his former bandmate @Louis_Tomlinson who this year celebrated #10YearsOfOneDirection. Out of nowhere @planetjedward came in at number four, possibly due to their Tweets encouraging us all to #WearAMask.
Around The World - Globally #Covid19 was the most discussed news hashtag on Twitter during 2020, @realdonaldtrump was the most mentioned politician, @Flamengo_en were top sports team, @kobebryant the top athlete, @BTS_twt remain atop the list of most discussed musicians worldwide, and when it came to gaming #nintendoswitch and #animalcrossing were the top hashtags. Check out our Twitter blog for more info about what happened on Twitter around the world during 2020.