The Best Viral Irish Videos of All Time (That Still Make Us Laugh)

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Ireland punches well above its weight when it comes to viral videos. Maybe it is the accents, maybe it is the weather, maybe it is a national talent for not taking ourselves too seriously. Whatever it is, these are the clips we have shared on Irish Around The World over the years that readers love most.

The videos at a glance

1. Teresa Mannion: “Don’t make unnecessary journeys”
2. Despacito as Gaeilge
3. The Castletown Donkey Derby, 1994
4. Leanne Rowlette Singing on the Tractor
5. The Cows Who Love Irish Music
6. The Irish Lads Who Sang Adele on Ellen
7. The Six-Year-Old Who Wants to Go to the Pub
8. The World’s Worst Attempt at Parallel Parking
9. A Wild Atlantic Way Honeymoon

1. Teresa Mannion: “Don’t make unnecessary journeys”

In December 2015, RTÉ reporter Teresa Mannion stood on the seafront in Salthill, Galway, in the teeth of Storm Desmond and pleaded with the nation not to make unnecessary journeys. The report became one of the most remixed clips in Irish history, and she later appeared on the Late Late Show to talk about her week as a viral sensation. Here is that interview.

2. Despacito as Gaeilge

The students of Coláiste Lurgan, the Irish-language summer college in Connemara, have been turning pop hits into Irish-language versions for years. Their take on ‘Despacito’ in 2017 is one of the best: a Spanish rap, an Irish chorus and a room full of teenagers having the time of their lives.

3. The Castletown Donkey Derby, 1994

A local donkey derby, a commentator doing his very best, and donkeys with absolutely no interest in the race. This home video has been doing the rounds in Ireland for decades and still reduces people to tears.

4. Leanne Rowlette Singing on the Tractor

A teenage Leanne Rowlette sang ‘Go Lassie Go’ while driving a tractor around the family farm. Her family posted the clip, and it spread around the world, making her an overnight internet sensation.

5. The Cows Who Love Irish Music

Young Grace Lehane took her accordion into a field in Kilmichael, County Cork, and played a few tunes. The cattle came over to listen and refused to leave. Posted by her family.

6. The Irish Lads Who Sang Adele on Ellen

Two Irish lads posted a medley of Adele songs online in 2016, and it went so far that they ended up performing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

7. The Six-Year-Old Who Wants to Go to the Pub

Cork funnyman Jamie Moynihan filmed this negotiation with a small girl who has decided, very firmly, that she is going to the pub. She makes some excellent points.

8. The World’s Worst Attempt at Parallel Parking

Ciarán Shannon filmed this heroic, long-running battle between a driver and a parking space. We will not spoil the ending.

9. A Wild Atlantic Way Honeymoon

Irish dancer Edwina Guckian made this film of her honeymoon road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way to share with friends and family. It went viral, and no wonder: it is better than most tourism adverts.

Planning the trip yourself? Read our Wild Atlantic Way guide.

Honourable mentions

• The little boy at Dublin Airport: a TV3 news report from the arrivals hall, interrupted by a toddler running full tilt into the ground. Irish people of a certain age can recite it.
• The man on the ice: an RTÉ news report on icy Dublin footpaths, perfectly illustrated by a passer-by.
• The singing priest: Fr Ray Kelly went viral in 2014 singing his own version of ‘Hallelujah’ at a wedding in County Meath, and later appeared on Britain’s Got Talent. Another priest followed with Wonderwall at a wedding.

More of the same: the best Irish dancing videos, Irish accents on video and old Ireland on film.

Keep reading

• Irish jokes
• Irish slang words
• St Patrick’s Day music
• Facts about Ireland

Featured photo: A rainy day at Merchant’s Arch, Temple Bar, Dublin by David Kernan, licensed under CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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