Cork creators among top trending TikTokers in 2024

The report revealed that 2.2 million Irish people were part of a billion-strong global community in 2024 and that Irish TikTok creators continued to inspire users of the social media platform throughout the year.

An Irish language teacher from Gougane Barra and a young farmer from Mitchelstown were among those who not only inspired TikTok users but taught them new skills and made them laugh.

Creator Gaeilge le Jane (@gaeilgelejane) from Gougane Barra has created a thriving community of Irish language enthusiasts on TikTok, transforming short-form content about the language into real-world connections.

The Irish language teacher shares daily Irish phrases, pronunciation tips, and cultural insights that have resonated so strongly with her audience that her in-person events now consistently sell out.

Her Irish language immersion courses, where participants explore conversation, folklore, and local culture entirely through Irish, demonstrate how TikTok can bridge the gap between online learning and real-world language revival.

Eoin Lynch (@eoin_lynch165) from the rollling fields of Mitchelstown shot to fame on the social media platform following this year’s National Ploughing Championships where he gave an interview stating how much he loves slurry.

The enthusiastic young farmer, whose infectious passion for agriculture has captivated audiences worldwide, creates videos giving in-depth breakdowns of slurry spreading techniques.

His passion for rural Irish life, combined with his deep agricultural knowledge and natural charm has earned him a devoted following far beyond the Irish farming community.

Rachel Galvo’s (@rachel_galvo) growing success empowered her to leave her corporate job in London to pursue content creation and comedy full-time.

Charting the highs and lows of her journey on TikTok, she has also shared her hilarious takes on everyday life, put her South County Dublin upbringing in the spotlight, and this year, her critically acclaimed show The Shite Feminist sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Garron Noone (@garron_music), well-known for his comedic skits on Irish culture and his catchphrase, ‘Follow me, I'm delicious’, gained global TikTok recognition this year.

Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks even gave him a shout-out during her Dublin concert saying she’d invite him to her parties.

Garron performed at this year's Electric Picnic and has also launched a podcast called Stay Delicious, blending his humor with discussions about music and Irish life.

Emmanuel (@emmanul_aaa) has emerged as an influential voice in the Irish fashion world, using his distinctively keen eye for combining high street finds with luxury pieces.

His styling tutorials have become must-watch content for fashion enthusiasts, and continue to inspire a new generation of Irish fashion creators while championing diversity in the industry.

Brands and businesses 

Brands and businesses have also used TikTok to embrace authenticity as they connect with a bigger global community, with many Irish entrepreneurs reimagining e-commerce and taking their creativity to new heights.

SOS Cookies (@soscookies) saw Sarah O'Sullivan's lockdown baking project charting on TikTok and going from delivering locally in Limerick to selling products at major retail spots in Arnotts and Dundrum Town Centre. SOS Cookies now produces 700,000 cookies annually with a team of 25 staff.

The Matcha Bar (@the_matchabar) is the brainchild of Elaine Fitzsimons who spotted a gap in Dublin's café scene for specialised matcha drinks, turning to TikTok to share her entrepreneurial journey from concept to creation.

Her content brought followers along as she researched matcha culture in Japan, developed unique recipes, and transformed her vision into reality with the opening of her Powerscourt Centre pop-up in July 2024.

Dundalk Credit Union (@dundalk_cu) has used TikTok to make financial education accessible and fun. Since launching in the Summer of 2024, the team at Dundalk Credit Union has set a new bar in financial marketing and rapidly attracted thousands of fans from Ireland and beyond with their unique blend of advice and humor.

Dash Burger (@dashburgerdublin) in Dublin has mastered the art of food content creation, turning their kitchen into a TikTok stage. Their videos showcase the mesmerising process of crafting their signature smash burgers and crispy fries, with each sizzle and flip garnering thousands of views.

Viral memes

TikTok also solidified its status as the cultural epicenter of the internet this year, with memes shaping language, trends, and global conversations.

One of the most viral catchphrases of 2024 was ‘demure’ which became popular after Jools Lebron (@joolieannie redefined the term "very demure, very mindful" and empowered self-expression, influenced fashion trends, and fostered a more inclusive online community.

Megan Boni's (@girl_on_couch) Man in Finance meme catapulted her to internet fame and opened doors to various opportunities, including a record deal and a talent agent. The meme spawned countless parodies and remixes but has also sparked conversations about dating expectations, gender roles, and the allure of the finance world.

By letting Gen Z write the marketing script, businesses and organisations around the world are driving an intergenerational creative approach to marketing with some hilarious results including The Talbot Hotel in Carlow, The Connacht Hotel in Galway, and Queen's University in Belfast.

Brat summer, inspired by Charli xcx's album, sparked a cultural shift towards individuality, self-expression, and a carefree attitude. Inspiring countless trends such as Kelley Heyer's iconic Apple dance, Brat summer encourages people to embrace their individuality, have fun, and live life to the fullest.

BookTok

This year, the BookTok community continued to ignite a global reading revolution, turning obscure titles into bestsellers and inspiring millions to pick up a book.

Irish individuals and businesses who were among the top BookTok community creators in Ireland included Claire Wright (@clairewright.author), Caroline O’Donoghue (@czaronline), Laois Library (@laoislibrarian), O'Mahony's Booksellers (@omahonysbooks), and Weird Ireland (@weirdireland).

FoodTok

The FoodTok community continued to inspire people and transform the way people cook, eat, and share our love for food.

Popular FoodTok videos included James Charles (James Charles) trying a spice bag from Xian Street Food during his trip to Dublin, Fix Dessert Chocolatier’s (@mariavehera257) Dubai chocolate bar, Logan Moffitt’s (@logagm) cucumber salad.

Sports

This year, TikTok reimagined the way users experience sports as a place where fans connect with their favorite teams and athletes, underrepresented voices are amplified, and sports culture thrives. In 2024, there was a 350% increase in #SportsOnTikTok posts.

Some of the most popular sporting events on the social media platform included the Olympics and Paralympics and the 2024 All-Ireland Hurling Final.

TeacherTok

TeacherTok saw teachers such as Miss Stacy Stout (@missstoutshistoryclass), Emma Ronan (@leavingcertbiology.ie) and John Sharpson (@johnsharpson) educate people around the globe and showcase unique moments in their classroom that makes the profession inspirational.

Trending Music

TikTok continues to shape the future of music in 2024, transforming how artists are discovered, songs are promoted, and fans engage with their favorites. The platform continues to be the go-to destination for music discovery, connecting fans and artists around the world.

Top 10 songs in Ireland on TikTok in 2024 were:

• Tell Ur Girlfriend - Lay Bankz 
• Never Lose Me - Flo Milli 
• Champagne Coast - Blood Orange 
• End of Beginning - Djo 
• Beautiful Things - Benson Boone 
• BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Billie Eilish 
• Lady Killers II - G-EAZY 
• Apple - Charli xcx 
• Please Please Please - Sabrina Carpenter
• Birds In The Sky- NewEra

The top 10 artists in Ireland were:

• Niall Horan (@niallhoran) 
• Hozier (@hozierofficial) 
• Casper Walsh (@caswalsh) 
• The Script (@thescripttok) 
• Ryan Mack (@ryanmackmusic) 
• Bambie Thug (@bambiethug) 
• Cian Ducrot (@cianducrot) 
• Robert Grace (@robertgracemusic)
• CamrinWatsin (@camrinwatsin) 
• CMAT (@cmatbaby)