Google’s Year in Search is always a fascinating reflection of the collective consciousness, and Ireland’s 2023 trends are no exception. Google has just released its search trends for 2023 so Let’s dive into the top 5 searches in various categories, revealing what captured our interests in 2023.
Movies
- Oppenheimer
- Barbie
- Banshees of Inisherin
- Everything Everywhere All at Once
- Guardians of the Galaxy 3
The year’s most searched movie was the fascinating historical drama “Oppenheimer” staring our very own Cillian Murphy followed by the whimsical and empowering world of “Barbie. Another nod to Irish talent was the fantastic Martin McDonagh’s “Banshees of Inisherin” staring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson while “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Guardians of the Galaxy 3” demonstrate a love for high-concept and adventure films.
People
- Russell Brand
- Huw Edwards
- Phillip Schofield
- Ryan Tubridy
- Joe Biden
The top-three people searched for in Ireland related to allegations and revelations from personalities in the UK while the controversary around the RTE payments to Ryan Tubridy put him in the number-four spot. At the tail end of this list is US President Joes Biden who visited Ireland in the spring of this year.
Recipes
- Viking Toast
- Pornstar Martini
- Marry Me Chicken
- Airfryer recipes
- Banana Muffins
Our culinary curiosity shines through in these top recipe searches. From the hearty and robust “Viking Toast” to the sweet simplicity of “Banana Muffins,” there’s a treat for everyone in this list. “Marry Me Chicken” a personal favourite of mine was number-three followed by”Airfryer recipes” suggesting a trend towards convenient and healthier cooking methods.
Sports
- Rugby World Cup
- Women’s World Cup
- Ryder Cup
- Ireland V England
- Inter Miami
Not surprisingly the Rugy World Cup topped the list of sports searches this year. Despite some world class performances from the Irish team, they didn’t go as far in the competition as we wanted or that they deserved, however, made the nation immensely proud. Soccer and the Women’s World Cup came in second place, with Spain emerging as victors of a great sporting campaign, marred slightly by the controversy surrounding the actions of the President of the Spanish Football Federation after their victory. The nod to Inter Miami in the number-five spot presumably relates to owner David Beckhams coup of signing Lionel Messi, for the US soccer team.
TV Shows
- The Last of Us
- Ginny and Georgia
- Welcome to Wrexham
- Love Island
- Succession
TV shows that captivated Ireland range from the post-apocalyptic drama of “The Last of Us” to the high-stakes world of “Succession.” The inclusion of “Ginny and Georgia” and “Love Island” indicates a love for drama and reality TV, while “Welcome to Wrexham” brings the story of a small Welsh professional football club to a worldwide audience, with the help of its Hollywood A-list owners.
What is...
- What is botulism?
- What is a barter account?
- What is Oppenheimer about?
- What is the Willow Project?
- What is Threads?
The ‘What is…’ category offers a glimpse into the curious minds of the Irish. Questions range from health concerns (“What is botulism?”) to the questionable RTE financial practices (“What is a barter account?”). The interest in “Oppenheimer” extends beyond the movie category, showing a deeper desire to understand its historical context. The controversial “Willow Project” and “Threads” searches indicate a keen interest in the environment and technology.
Global Trends: A World Connected by Curiosity
While Ireland’s searches in 2023 were a blend of local and international interests, the global trends of the year reflect a broader spectrum of shared global concerns, fascinations and interests. Key searches globally included:
- News: The top news searches were dominated by significant events like the “War in Israel and Gaza,” the “Turkey earthquake,” and various hurricanes, highlighting a global concern for geopolitical and natural events.
- People: Figures like Damar Hamlin, Jeremy Renner, and Andrew Tate captured worldwide attention, showing a blend of interest in sports, entertainment, and controversial personalities.
- Movies and TV Shows: “Barbie” and “The Last of Us” were not only popular with Irish searchers but captured the interested of a worldwide audience.
- Passings: The world mourned the loss of notable personalities, including the beloved actor Matthew Perry, known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing in “Friends,” and Ireland’s own Sinéad O’Connor, who touched many hearts with her soulful music and unique voice.
Ireland’s year in search for 2023, is a mirror for our collective interests, concerns, and curiosities, while the wider global search trends reflect global events and personalities. Last year I concluded this post with a hope that Ireland would be crowned Rugby World Cup champions in 2023 and while this did not come to pass, we are nonetheless proud of our teams’ achievements, throughout 2023. The search trends for 2023 not only highlight our past year’s journey but also hint at the evolving interests and concerns that will shape our queries in the year ahead.
