GOOGLE IS CELEBRATING its tenth anniversary of operations in Ireland this month and the search giant has released details of what the most popular search terms have been in Ireland for the last decade.
Google released details of what Irish people searched, asked and who they were looking up.
2004
(The European Ryder Cup team poses with the trophy after their victory over the United States at the 35th Ryder Cup matches at Oakland Hills Country Club AP Photo/Dave Martin)
In 2004, sport led the way as Ireland asked for information on the 2004 Athens Olympics, the Euro 2004 football tournament and the Ryder Cup.
2005
In 2005, Ireland was technologically confused about now every day terms asking “What is VOIP?”, “What is WiFi?” and, oddly enough “What is creativity?”
2006
(Detail of a sculpture of Zinedine Zidane by French artist Adel Abdessemed in front of Paris’ Centre Pompidou modern art museum. AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
The most popular people in 2006 were led by the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, who died early in the year. Richard Hammond, who had a lucky escape from a high-powered car crash. Zinedine Zidane completed the top three, following his World Cup final headbutt.
2007
The growing Polish community in Ireland made their presence known on Google, as social networking site Naza Klasa climbed into the top three search terms. It was joined by the deaths of Luciano Pavarotti and model Katy French.
2008
2008 saw us directed by a brilliant viral video to ask “What is Cloverfield?” (it’s a film. We also wanted career and financial answers, asking “What is FMCG?” and “What is PRSI?”. The new financial realities were setting in as well, we were asking “What is stress?”.
2009
Atmosphere around the Michael Jackson Memorial at the Staple Center in Los Angeles, California (Benkey/AFF/EMPICS Entertainment)
Dead celebrities dominated the trending people in 2009 as Michael Jackson, Jade Goody, Natasha Richardson and Ireland’s own Stephen Gately were trending.
On a positive note songstress Susan Boyle stormed onto the international stage following her appearance on the Britain’s Got Talent, her first audition became a viral sensation on YouTube with over 19 million views to date.
2010
Communication and playback on our minds in 2010, as we searched for Chatroulette, Gmail, and Facebook. The popularity of TV playback services can be seen with searches for RTE and TV3 player services.
2011
In 2011, health was a major concern as we wanted to know “What is Mono?” and “What is Bipolar?”. However, Harry Potter loomed large as Irish people asked “What is Pottermore?”
2012
The year belonged to women as Katie Taylor took gold in London, Kate Middleton took a throne in London and Rosanna Davison took her clothes off in Germany. All three were searched more by Irish people than anyone else.
2013
So far this year, Revenue.ie and property tax are among the most popular searches, as are the deaths of Margaret Thatcher and Glee star Cory Monteith.
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