The Rugby World Cup and celebrity controversies have dominated internet searches in Ireland over the last year. 

Google has today released its list of what has been trending in Ireland in 2023 across categories such as sports, recipes, and movies.

In sports, it found that the Rugby World Cup was the most searched sporting term of the year.

Searches for the competition peaked between September 17th-23rd in the build-up to the Ireland vs South Africa game.

The event was more popular with Google users in Wicklow than anywhere else in the country.

The Women’s World Cup and the Ryder Cup came second and third on Google’s list.

Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimr (2023). Image: UNIVERSAL PICTURES/Alamy Stock Photo

The search engine may have settled one of Ireland's biggest movie debates of the year - Barbie vs Oppenheimer. 

The films were pitted against each other in July when they came out on the very same date.

When it came to Google, Cillian Murphy's Oppenheimer was the most searched-for movie of the year.

Barbie was a close second, just missing out on the top spot.

Oppenheimer had more searches in Tramore and Waterford than anywhere else while Barbie was most popular in Edenderry and Offaly.

The Irish public also had a keen interest in one local film this year, with Banshees of Inisherin following closely behind in third place.

Russell Brand. Image: Tommy London / Alamy Stock Photo

Celebrities embroiled in controversy dominated the list of the most searched-for people on Google this year.

In first place was Russel Brand who was accused of sexual assault and abuse by five women in September.

BBC presenter Huw Edwards placed second after he was accused of paying a teenager for explicit photos.

This Morning host Philip Scofield was the third most searched-for person in Ireland this year after details of his extramarital affair with a co-worker came to light.

Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy placed fourth with US President Joe Biden in fifth.

Ryan Tubridy with his agent Noel Kelly leaving Leinster House, Dublin, 11-07-2023. Image: PA Images / Alamy

In the ‘What is’ category of Google’s search trends, ‘What is Botulism’ is placed first, followed by ‘What is a barter account.’

People were most likely to search for botulism in Portlaoise and barter accounts in Dublin.

Third, making another appearance on this list was ‘What is Oppenheimer.’

TV Shows

In TV shows, HBO’s hit series The Last of Us had the most searches in Ireland.

Netflix comedy-drama Ginny & Georgia placed second, with Ryan Reynolds's football documentary Welcome to Wrexham coming in next on the list.

Closing out the top five was the reality show Love Island and HBO’s Succession.

Succession came fifth as the most searched-for TV series in Ireland this year.

Topping the list of the most searched-for recipes was Viking Toast, which is toast topped with egg, cheese, onions, and more ingredients.

It peaked as a search term in the first week of January and was more popular in Dublin than anywhere else.

Next was the Pornstar Martini cocktail followed by Marry Me Chicken – a dish that involves sautéed chicken breasts cooked in a sun-dried tomato and cream sauce.

Fourth in recipe searches was ‘Airfryer recipes,’ followed by Banana Muffins.

Main Image: New Zealand vs Ireland, Rugby World Cup quarter-final, 15/10/2023. Image: Mickael Chavet / Alamy Stock Photo