2023 was the year we learned a new life hack (or two!), laughed out loud – and couldn’t stop thinking about the Roman Empire.
More than 1 billion people continues to come together to connect on TikTok, positively influencing culture and impacting lives.
From comfort-food recipes to satirical ‘Point of View’ videos (POV), throwback tracks and thriving small businesses, the TikTok community in Ireland continued creating, connecting and celebrating authenticity on TikTok throughout 2023.
This year we celebrated a big milestone for our community – there are now 2 million people across Ireland tuning into TikTok each month. This community comes to our platform to be inspired, learn new skills, and connect with others through shared experiences, no matter how large or small.
Cormac Keenan, Head of Trust and Safety at TikTok commented: “It’s been an incredible year for TikTok in Ireland. Artists, creators, and businesses from across Ireland have been using TikTok to entertain, inspire and educate us all, whether it’s farmers using #FarmTok to share glimpses into their daily lives, booklovers using #BookTok to inspire reading across all genres, or #SmallBusiness using the platform to have fun, educate and attract customers.
We are truly inspired by the 2 million people in Ireland who come to TikTok to share their creativity in an authentic way and foster a sense of belonging you can’t find anywhere else. Thank you to our amazing community for another unforgettable year. We look forward to what next year has in store.”
As we scroll back to this year’s most memorable trends, creators and moments with our community, join us in a stroll down memory lane and look back on an incredible year that saw us learning, laughing, inspiring, imagining, entertaining and exploring
Every day, a star is born on TikTok. This year, we were entertained and inspired by an entire galaxy of creators, who remain the beating heart of our platform.
From the iconic #TubeGirl aka Sabrina Bahsoon to a cute border collie named Pluto, as well as “The Irish Gay”, here are the breakthrough creators, celebrities and artists who made it on and beyond TikTok in 2023 in Ireland.
@chrisisainmdom (846.4K followers/36.8M likes)
@itshanice_ (498K followers/41.6M likes)
@garron_music (520.8K followers/14.8M likes)
@annaliviahynds (152.4K followers/9.5M likes)
@ericroberts44 (608.8K followers/31.5M likes)
TikTok is a place where you can start small, but think – and achieve – big. No one knows this better than our small business owners who truly felt the positive impact of our community in 2023. Thanks to trending hashtags like #SMB and #SmallBusiness, and #IrishSmallBusiness, we discovered a dad’s T-shirt designs from the 80s and 90s that went on to sell 1000s of T-Shirts and massively grow their business.
In Ireland, TikTok has helped local businesses like the mother and daughter duo from I-SPY Clothing in Co. Clare, and Helen from Sound Quality Gifts in Monaghan, to grow their audiences and reach new customers . Here are some of the most beloved small businesses in Ireland that inspired us in 2023.
@theispyteam (2.5K followers/34.3K likes)
@fromscratchbaker (1.1M followers/29M likes)
@centra_clarecastle (104.8K followers/6.2M likes)
@helen.drumm (43.7K followers/926K likes)
@freebornnoble (10.9K followers/302.4K likes)
In 2023, creators continued to push boundaries, inspiring others to learn something new and advocate for causes they care about. Whether it’s @dr.blondieperes, a doctor using her platform to educate, or @indiasasha, a disability-rights activist promoting body confidence, these creators are making a huge difference around the world. Here are the changemakers who are using TikTok to spark good this year.
@dr.blondieperes (64.1K followers/889K likes)
@irelandsfavouritegay (74.6K followers/3.8M likes)
@indiasasha (543.6K followers/33.3M likes)
@kerrycoda (14.1K followers/157K likes)
@huhclotthing_ (38K followers/517.3K likes)
With so much educational content, we learn while we scroll on TikTok! In 2023, #BookTok taught us that reading is cool again, #CleanTok showed us the most helpful household hacks and #ArtTok helped us to brush up our art knowledge. In Ireland, @crypticaf is teaching us tips and tricks for cryptic crosswords, @millennialwealthsarah offers us practical advice on money and investing, and @kylecookegoalkeeping is helping us to improve our football skills! Discover the most popular trends, tricks and how-tos in Ireland that made our lives even better in 2023.
@crypticaf (29.4K followers/219.1K likes)
@millennialwealthsarah (265.2K followers/2.3M likes)
@kylecookegoalkeeping (371.3K followers/9.5M likes)
@leavingcertguidance (6.3K followers/368.4K likes)
@fooddunneright (72.1K followers/705.5K likes)
In 2023, trending content took over #ForYou feeds around the world – especially in the entertainment, lifestyle & education and sports categories. We were mesmerized by Dollievision’s makeup routine, that Capybara song, and the brilliance of sheepdogs – so many good memories, you can almost hear them!
In Ireland, Irish artist @smashingpencils captivated us with his relaxing colour-mixing videos, and Cork creator Ian Slattery made us laugh with his funny reposts, like this one of someone falling through a gap in a bar door. Keep on reading to discover the most popular videos and trends in Ireland this year that had everyone saying, ‘Have you seen that TikTok about…?’ this year.
@ian..slattery (12.8K views/likes)
@smashingpencils (184.5M views/8.4M likes)
@hellorebeccaryan (122.4M views/3.2M like)
@monika_mua_ (23.6M views/634.8k likes)
@victoralfred11 (66.6K views/2.1M likes)
From catchy pop tunes to comeback tracks, TikTok artists gave us the soundtrack of 2023. Whether we’re singing along to chart-toppers or discovering the next emerging hit, these were the songs that couldn’t get out of our heads throughout the year.
In 2023, the most popular song across Ireland and the UK was ‘Sprinter’ by Dave and Central Cee, which immediately gripped TikTok creators and brought these artists to the global stage. We also couldn’t get enough of catchy hits like Collide and Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2! Turn up the volume and check out TikTok’s most popular songs in Ireland this year.
Sprinter – Dave & Central Cee ( 655.3K videos)
Collide (more sped up) – Justine Skye &Tyga (3.3M videos)
Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2 – PinkPantheress & Ice Spice (1.8M videos)
Cupid – Twin Ver. – Sped Up Version – FIFTY FIFTY (6.2M videos)
Green Green Grass (Sped-Up) – George Ezra (1.5M videos)
California Gurls – Katy Perry (70.7K videos)
Strangers – Kenya Grace (1.1M videos)
Paint The Town Red – Doja Cat (2.8M videos)
Makeba – Jain (1.7M videos)
Radio – Lana Del Rey (339.2K videos)
In 2023, we strived to make TikTok a platform that supports artists and the industry whilst encouraging musical discovery and rediscovery. TikTok’s breakthrough artist category celebrates artists from across Ireland and the UK who have truly broken into the mainstream this year – from rap, hip hop, classical to alternative pop. Whether it’s chart hits, major award wins or sold-out tours, these artists have achieved incredible success which is celebrated by the TikTok community:
Mae Stephens (379k followers/8.8M likes)
CHINCHILLA (463k followers/7.7M likes)
Jazzy (192k followers/4.3M likes)
Kenya Grace (703k followers/13.7M likes)
Caity Baser (573k followers/17.9M likes)
Cian Ducrot (4.6M followers/112.5M likes)
Lola Young (519k followers/8.2M likes)
AntsLive (63k followers/1.8M likes)
Prinz (1.7M followers/26.9M likes)
Anna Lapwood (647k followers/19.9M likes)
In 2023, Cian Ducrot (@cianducrot) was the most-viewed artist on TikTok in Ireland this year followed by Niall Horan (@niallhoran) and Robert Grace (@robertgracemusic). Also featured in the top ten is Jazzy (@jazzyofficial) who became the first Irish woman to reach number one on Spotify!
@cianducrot (4.6M followers/ 112.7M likes)
@niallhoran (6M followers/124.7M likes)
@robertgracemusic (3.2M followers/44.7M likes)
@ryanmackmusic (3M followers/39.2M likes)
@jazzyofficial (193K followers/4.2M likes)
@hozierofficial (1.4M followers/13.1M likes)
@alliesherlock (603.9K followers/3.6M likes)
@iamleaheart (167.7K followers/5M likes)
@chasingabbey (86.9K followers/2.2M likes)
@dermotkennedy (496.6K followers/5.9M likes
This year, the TikTok community continued to bring their creativity to life and push the boundaries of self-expression through a diverse array of community effects, sounds, filters and more, with more than 25 billion videos created using community effects to date. This year, we all loved sharing our versions of Girl Dinner, acting like we were in a Wes Anderson film and using our Bombastic Side Eye. Here are the most popular trends made possible by unique features – and our creativity – in 2023.
Roman Empire (2.4B views)
Delulu (4.4BB views)
Yearbook photobooth (2.6B views)
Wes Anderson (2.7B views)
Bombastic Side Eye (2.3B views)
Beige flag, red flag, green flag (8.52B views)
Aged filter (24.6M creations)
Girl Dinner / Boy Dinner (2.67B views)
Girl Summer (4B views)
Date bark (24.5B views)
It’s all happening! From the #Tiktokbookawards to #ploughing2023, TikTok brought us all together to experience unique moments that helped shape culture as we know it in 2023. Here are some of the most unforgettable real-time moments this year.
TikTok Book Awards (31.5M views)
Eurovision 2023 (LIVE)
FIFA Women World Cup (38.2B views)
Six Nations (541.9k followers/15M likes)
Ploughing2023 (37.1M views)
Celebrate Year on TikTok 2023 with us
Let’s scroll it back on TikTok! Learn more about this year’s most unforgettable trends, creators and moments via our in-app hub or search #YearOnTikTok on the app.
