Looking back at 2023 is like an intense workout – it requires serious stretching, mental fortitude and at the end of it, you’re debating whether it was all worth it.
With the WHO declaring the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood actors and writers going on strike, violence escalating in Israel and Palestine and riots breaking out in Dublin, the last 12 months have been a lot to take in.
Amid all the world news, the digital world has also been buzzing; artificial intelligence has crept further into our lives, Elon Musk has crept up on anyone worried about hate speech online, and every month brought new viral trends and iconic moments.
Let’s take a look back at some of the biggest trending moments of 2023.
Barbenheimer
One of Ireland’s own rose to meme immortality this year as Cillian Murphy played an integral role in one of the biggest movie moments of the century: the simultaneous cinema release of Barbie and Oppenheimer.
While a biopic about the atomic bomb and a comedy fantasy about dolls don’t seem like the most obvious combination, people around the world still gathered to enjoy a Barbenheimer double-bill on July 21st.
Their entire lives have led up to the Oppenheimer / Barbie release pic.twitter.com/w2FgLwhDg1
— Yann (@yannhatchuel) June 26, 2023
10 am-12 pm bottomless mimosas
12:30pm Oppenheimer
4-6pm ungodly amount of Olive Garden unlimited breadsticks, 4 bottles of red wine, and shrimp alfredo
7pm Barbie
10 pm- 2 am existential reflection and discussion with the boys over beers https://t.co/ktD0u16qpl— yam haus (@yamhaus) June 21, 2023
Tubsgate
If Ryan Tubridy was worried about how the nation would carry on without him as Late Late Show host, he need not fear; his performance at the Oireachtas committee hearing fed Irish audiences the equivalent of 10 Toy Shows.
After news broke of RTÉ’s hidden payments to Mr Tubridy, a slush fund of sports trips, golf outings and €5,000 worth of flip-flops was revealed.
The scandal raised serious questions over spending and budget cuts at the national broadcaster – although several pubs likely made a pretty penny airing Mr Tubridy’s session with the Public Accounts Committee.
@elmobmattock Honest mistake for suuuuure.. 🙃😂 #ireland #ryantubridy #rte #fyp ♬ original sound - ElmoMattock
"Where did you work before ?"
"Cadburys."
"What were you selling for Cadburys?"
......
"Chocolate".
____________
Investigations at it's best #RTEgate
— David Doyle (@David_Integrate) July 11, 2023
Succession finale – ‘Kendall Roy is baby girl’
It was also a big year for media organisations in the fictional world as the hit HBO show Succession concluded with a stellar final season.
For a few weeks, you couldn’t go online without seeing fans go crazy over the show – and label the show’s protagonist Kendall Roy, whose misdeeds include fraud and a little bit of murder, their ‘baby girl’.
@emmlaurenson only a month until i get my most pathetic 40 year old man who’s also a teenage girl back #succession #hbo #kendallroy #successionedit #kendallroyedit #oliviarodrigo #fyp ♬ brutal - Olivia Rodrigo
how to lose a company in 10 days starring kendall, roman, and shiv
— meg succession text posts (@successtextpost) May 29, 2023
2023 (Taylor’s version)
While she was far from obscure before, 2023 saw Taylor Swift elevate to new heights of stardom as she began her worldwide ‘Era’s Tour’.
The announcement of Ms Swift’s Dublin shows saw hotel and Airbnb prices immediately skyrocket the weekend of her performances. If you have more control over property prices than the Government does, you’re certainly an influential person.
I light of recent comments from the transport minister Eamon Ryan, Badbody Hotels will reduce its room rates for the Taylor Swift concerts in Dublin next year by €5, kindly bringing the rooms down to €995 per night. You’re welcome.
— Lord Bill Badbody (@BillBadbody) June 21, 2023
athlete bf making romantic gestures to his popstar gf in the crowd in front of thousands people what in the romance movie https://t.co/0Gq6iu2Zia
— dom ☆ (@ev3rhaze) September 25, 2023
Sound Quality Gifts
This year, a small gift shop in County Monaghan has given Carroll’s Gift Shop a run for its money. Sound Quality Gifts owner Helen Drumm has amassed millions of views on TikTok and charmed the world with her unique advertising and impeccable dance skills.
@helen.drumm Its a girls night out…Heading to Barbie #soundqualitygifts #fyp #barbie #monaghan#irelandtiktok #foryoupage #pink #newyork #dublintiktok #donegal #belfastgirls ♬ original sound - SOUND QUALITY GIFTS
@helen.drumm For those travelling home for Christmas….Remember Home is where the heart is ❤️🇮🇪#soundqualitygifts #fypシ゚viral #monaghanireland #tiktok #monaghantourism #cometomonaghan #christmas #home#traveltiktok #irelandtiktok #helendrumm #santa ♬ original sound - SOUND QUALITY GIFTS
Beige flags
Red flags are out-of-date and green flags are overrated; in 2023, TikTok decided ‘beige flags’ are the most important thing about your partner.
Used to describe strange but harmless things your significant other does, people online began behaving like scientists observing monkeys, except these monkeys prefer Pepsi over Coke and have their parents’ contact info in their phone by their full name instead of ‘mam’ or ‘dad’.
@cat.elizabeth #boyfriend #beigeflag ♬ Summer Background Jazz - Jazz Background Vibes
@h.j.gibbo Anyone else’s girlfriend broken @Lola May #fyp #couple #beigeflag ♬ Summer Background Jazz - Jazz Background Vibes
BoI ATM chaos
Money doesn’t grow on trees, and this year we learned it also doesn’t grow out of Bank of Ireland glitches, unfortunately.
Hundreds of thousands of customers flocked to ATMs around Ireland after they realised they could withdraw hundreds of euros more than they actually had. The dream was short-lived, however, as BOI later said all withdrawals would be added to their accounts.
Delighted to start my new job today as a senior software engineer in charge of ATM transactions for Bank of Ireland! Had a super first day, can't wait to login tomorrow and get back to the grindstone!
— Lorcan O'Neill (@forksinthebag) August 15, 2023
Dublin tourist dresses as Bank of Ireland ATM to ensure Gardaí protect him. pic.twitter.com/nlC8a5quGy
— Dr Harold News (@DrHaroldNews) August 16, 2023
Roman Empire
If you haven’t asked the men in your life how often they think about the Roman Empire, ask now – the answer may shock you.
TikTok users realised in September that men apparently think about the Roman Empire extremely often. They might just be reflecting on simpler times.
The phrase 'Roman Empire' has now become shorthand for something strange you think about on a near-daily basis.
@ambarrail This trend is incredible. Some of the best ones #romanempire #romanempirecompilation ♬ original sound - Alexia B.
@stephdo_ one of my biggest fears #romanempire #trend #lol #relatable ♬ Margaret - Lana Del Rey
Meteor-gate
This is my Roman Empire. Space enthusiasts in Ireland were full of excitement after an amateur astronomer appeared on national news to show off a hole on Portmarnock Beach, suspected to be “the aftermath of a cosmic event” such as a meteor.
Space enthusiasts were quickly left heartbroken after it was revealed that the hole was dug by two young men. Maybe we’ll find something in 2024.
BREAKING: Satellite photo shows Portmarnock beach hole visible from space. pic.twitter.com/5TCEhsrVYL
— Dr Harold News (@DrHaroldNews) September 15, 2023
BREAKING: Aliens spotted leaving suspicious crater on Portmarnock Beach according to Virgin Media News pic.twitter.com/M0dfg4DvNN
— Not the RTÉ News (@notthertenews) September 14, 2023
