IrishHeritage on TikTok: @annairishislands

Next up in our #IrishHeritage series we spoke to Anna Sutcliffe (@annairishislands). Anna is a travel and culture creator who shines a light on Ireland’s offshore communities through her account. Based on #achillisland, Anna explores the heritage, language, and everyday life of Ireland’s lesser-known islands. Her content is a heartfelt celebration of island culture, showing that some of Ireland’s richest experiences don’t require a passport, just a ferry ticket. Read more about Anna and her passion for keeping island heritage alive below.

Q: What inspired you to start showcasing traditional Irish island culture and heritage on TikTok?
A: After moving to Achill Island and working closely with Ireland’s offshore communities, I’ve come to see just how rich, vibrant, and unique the heritage of our islands really is. I first began working here as a researcher for the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI), and now as a Development Officer with Comhar na nOileán, an Irish community development organisation that supports the sustainable development of Ireland’s offshore islands. In my current role, I work with islanders every day, and I’ve realised how much of their language, traditions, crafts, and way of life remain deeply valuable, but not always visible to the wider world. TikTok felt like the perfect way to bring these stories to life in a creative and accessible way, whether it’s sharing snippets of daily island life, highlighting traditional skills, or capturing the beauty of our language and landscape. I also just genuinely love visiting the islands, and I wanted to share that love with the world. It’s been such a joy to see that so many people enjoy the content and feel that same connection. That sense of shared appreciation is what keeps me inspired to keep creating. Through @annairishislands, I hope to celebrate the islands and spark a new appreciation for these communities.

Q: What has the response been like from your TikTok community? A: The response has been really great and so encouraging! I’ve been genuinely amazed by how many people from Ireland and abroad are interested in the culture, language, and everyday life on the Irish islands. It’s also been a brilliant way to shine a light on the incredible businesses, craftspeople, and artists living on the islands, many of whom rely heavily on tourism for their livelihoods. I really hope that by sharing their stories and showcasing their work, more people will be inspired to support them, whether that’s through a visit, a purchase, or simply spreading the word. It’s all about sustaining these vibrant communities and making sure their creativity continues to thrive. Islanders themselves have reached out to say it’s lovely to see their way of life celebrated, while others have shared memories or family connections to the islands. There’s also been a lot of curiosity from people who’ve never visited but are now adding it to their bucket lists! I love sharing recommendations with them for their travels! It’s created a really positive and respectful little community that values the islands and their way of life and that’s exactly what I hoped for when I started.

Q: What drew you to traditional rural island life over city living? A: For me, it’s always been about connection. Connection to place, to people, to language, and the land. I’ve always been drawn to the richness and resilience of rural island life. Maybe I romanticised it a bit growing up, but I’ve come to truly love the calmness of island life compared to the fast pace of the city, where I was raised and worked before making the move. I’m a city girl at heart, but I wouldn’t give up island living now. There’s a deep sense of community on the islands. People genuinely look out for one another, and traditions are lived rather than just remembered. City life can be exciting, but there’s something grounding and meaningful about the slower rhythm of the islands: the closeness to nature, the strength of the community, the Irish language, and the way heritage is woven into everyday life. Comhar na nOileán has been doing incredible work to support and sustain life on the islands, and I was honoured to join the team as a Development Officer. Working closely with island communities has only deepened my appreciation for everything they represent. Because in the end, it’s not just where you live, it’s how you live and who you live it with.

You springle in Irish language phrases into your content, how do you think TikTok impacted interest and usage of the Irish language?
A: TikTok has had a really positive impact on Irish, not just for fluent speakers, but for learners too. It’s creative, informal, and community-led, which makes the language feel more alive and accessible.It’s helped shift Irish out of the classroom and into everyday life, from Gaeltacht areas to city flats, and shown that you don’t need to be fluent to join in. People are more confident using what they have, even if it’s just a few words, and proud to share it. That visibility matters. You see more urban Irish, more playful content, and a real sense that the language belongs in modern life. It doesn’t replace traditional spaces, but it adds something vital to the mix.

Q: Have you uncovered any lesser-known Irish traditions while working on the islands?
A: Ireland’s islands are full of rich stories and traditions! There are so many, and I thoroughly enjoy hearing some ghost stories or stories about Na Daoine Sídhe, (fairy folk). I should create content on these too! On Tory Island, there’s even been a King of Tory (Rí Thoraí) for centuries, elected by the islanders to represent their community. The legendary Balor of Irish mythology was said to be one as well. The last king sadly passed away in 2018, and many are curious to see who will be next. One of my favourite traditions is one I learned about on Inis Meáin for Lá le Bríde. On the eve of St Brigid’s Day (Jan 31st), young girls carry a Brídeog (a straw doll dressed in colourful clothes) from house to house and they recite a blessing on the household for the year ahead. It’s a beautiful custom still kept alive today, celebrating Brigid’s protection and the spirit of community.

Crios, crios
Bríd í mo chrios
Muire ‘s a Mac
Bríd is a brat
Má’s fearr atá sibh anocht,
Go mba seacht bhfearr a bheidh sibh
Bliain ó anocht

Q: Are there any other Irish TikTok creators you admire who are helping to promote Irish heritage?
A: #GaeilgeTok is really exciting at the moment and it’s great to see so many people creating content for it! I really enjoy Máire Ní Churraoin (@maire_na_greine), she’s a native Irish speaker with amazing content that promotes the language in such an engaging and natural way. I also love that she and her sister are in the band An Chéad Ghlúin Eile, singing beautiful songs in Irish. They’re both incredibly talented and such a breath of fresh air for the Irish-language music scene. I also really enjoy following Doireann Ní Ghlacáin. We actually went to school together! She’s doing brilliant work on TikTok promoting the language, history, and music in a way that’s really relatable. Her podcast How to Gael is a favourite of mine, especially when I’m in the car. It genuinely feels like you’re listening to a chat with your pals, and I love how they cover such a wide range of topics. It’s so inspiring to see creators like Máire and Doireann making Irish feel modern, fun, and alive.

Q: What do you enjoy most about creating content on TikTok?
A: What I enjoy most about creating content on TikTok is the chance to share the magic of the islands and our culture in a way that’s creative, accessible, and personal. It’s a joy to shine a light on traditions, crafts, language, and everyday life, especially the parts that people don’t always get to see. I love visiting the islands, and being able to share that love with others has been incredibly rewarding. The response has been so encouraging. It’s amazing to see how many people, both in Ireland and abroad, are genuinely curious and excited about our heritage. That sense of connection and being part of a wider community, keeping the language and culture alive, is what keeps me inspired.