Sinn Féin is the most followed political party on social media in Ireland.
They have amassed 934,545 followers across all social media platforms and are comfortably ahead of the next nearest party’s reach, People Before Profit, who have 170,200 followers.
An analysis by Mulley Communications found Sinn Féin has grown its reach by 421,600 followers since 2020 – the most gained during this period.
The Social Democrats have also experienced a 233% growth since 2022 and now have 150,000 followers across all platforms – the third highest of all parties.
Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns on the Plinth at Leinster House. Image: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNewsMeanwhile the so-called ‘TikTok Taoiseach' Simon Harris was found to have more TikTok followers than Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Labour Party, the Social Democrats, and People Before Profit combined.
Here is the combined reach of parties across all platforms:
- Sinn Féin: 925,900
- People Before Profit: 170,200
- Social Democrats: 146,900
- Labour Party: 141,700
- Fine Gael: 125,006
- Fianna Fáil: 115,983
- Green Party: 70,121
Sinn Féin is the most followed party on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Threads, according to the new research.
Meanwhile, outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is the most followed (now former) political leader in Ireland with a reach of 788,600 followers.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris speaking to the media at Government Buildings, 25-9-20. Image: Julien Behal Photography / RollingNews.ieHe is followed by his replacement Simon Harris, with 542,700 followers in second and Mary Lou McDonald placed third with 446,000.
Here is the list of the most followed political leaders in Ireland:
- Leo Varadkar: 788,600 followers
- Simon Harris: 542,700 followers
- Mary Lou McDonald: 446,000 followers
- Richard Boyd Barrett: 398,200 followers
- Micheál Martin: 288,900 followers
- Paul Murphy: 199,500 followers
- Holly Cairns: 133,447 followers
- Eamon Ryan: 69,080 followers
- Ivana Bacik: 41,550 followers
- Brid Smith: 37,950 followers
People Before Profit TD Richard Boy Barrett has seen his following grow on Instagram from 61,000 in 2022 to 179,000 today – the most grown of any politician on the platform during this period.
His party colleague Paul Murphy has also seen his follower count skyrocket on TikTok during the last two years from 281 to 52,700.
People Before Profit's Richard Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy on the plinth at Leinster House, 21-11-2022. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNewsMulley Communications Director Damien Mulley said social media will have a big role to play in upcoming elections.
“It can be a steep learning curve with some politicians being awkward Dad trying to have a chat while others are your cool older sister back from uni,” he said.
"With upcoming local, European, and general elections, all parties are ready to use social media to get their message out on platforms from the now very old Facebook, to the trendy TikTok to the brand new Threads from Meta.
“Having a presence and using it strategically is another matter."
Main image: Mary Lou McDonald speaking to press outside of Leinster House in 2020. Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
