Same-sex referendum a Top 10 topic on Facebook in 2015

Irish users of social media site also posted on Syrian conflict, refugee crisis, St Patrick’s Day

The same-sex marriage referendum was the most talked about topic on Facebook in Ireland in 2015, while marriage equality, including Ireland’s May referendum, was the sixth most talked about topic on Facebook in the world. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
The same-sex marriage referendum was the most talked about topic on Facebook in Ireland in 2015, while marriage equality, including Ireland’s May referendum, was the sixth most talked about topic on Facebook in the world. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Ireland's same-sex marriage referendum was among the Top 10 most talked about world events on Facebook in 2015, according to the social media site's year in review.

The same-sex marriage referendum was the most talked about topic on Facebook in Ireland, while marriage equality, including the May referendum, was the sixth most talked about topic on Facebook in the world.

The year in review allows Facebook users to take a look back “on the moments in 2015 that moved and inspired us to take action”, according to the site.

Irish Facebook users were also busy posting on Facebook on the Syrian conflict and the refugee crisis, St Patrick’s Day, the UK general election, the November 13th attacks and the Greek debt crisis.

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Star Wars

Large numbers of Irish users also posted about Steven Gerrard’s move to LA Galaxy, the upcoming Star Wars movie and the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight.

The Facebook year in review also tracks the top spots where people choose to “check in” on their profile.

The Guinness Storehouse made the top of the list (how many of those checking in were actually Irish?), followed by the Cliffs of Moher (again, Irish users?), Dublin Zoo (ok, Irish users there), Blarney Castle, Croke Park, Tayto Park (definitely Irish users), Temple Bar, 2Arena, The Temple Bar Pub and Fota Wildlife Park in Cork.

Internationally, the most frequently mentioned event on Facebook was the US presidential election, which takes place in November 2016. This was followed by the November 13th attacks in Paris, the Syrian civil war and refugee crisis, the Nepal earthquakes, the Greek debt crisis, marriage equality and the fight against Islamic State.

Game of Thrones

Ed Sheeran was the most talked about celebrity on the Facebook airwaves, followed by Taylor Swift and Kanye West, while Game of Thrones topped the list for the most popular TV show on Facebook.

In the final countdown to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, movie fans seem busy posting about the latest instalment, making it the most talked about movie on Facebook this year. It is followed by the movies Furious 7, Jurassic World, Avengers: Age of Ultron and American Sniper.

US president Barack Obama was the most talked about politician on Facebook this year, beating even Donald Trump. Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff and US democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sangers completed the top five.

Ronda Rousey

Boxer Floyd Mayweather jnr was the most talked about athlete, followed by boxer Manny Pacquiao, judo Olympian Ronda Rousey and footballer Lionel Messi.

The most popular spots globally to "check in" on your Facebook account were Disney parks, Universal Studios, Times Square and the Eiffel Tower.

The Facebook year in review lists are measured by how frequently a topic was mentioned in Facebook posts between January 1st - December 1st 2015, while the top 20 global places are based on the number of Facebook check-ins at these locations over the past 12 months.

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak is an Irish Times reporter specialising in immigration issues and cohost of the In the News podcast