Achill Island, 90s Nostalgia, and #CatholicCore are just some of the trends making waves this summer

Dublin, 30 May 2025: The TikTok community continues to spark cultural moments and inspire unexpected trends across the globe. From the rising popularity of hiking and the revival of ’90s music, to a Dubai chocolate obsession and viral 12-step morning routines, TikTok remains the place where creativity thrives and communities connect.

Today, we’re unveiling TikTok Trending 2025—a deep dive into the emerging trends gaining momentum on the platform that are shaping cultural conversations, transforming businesses, and influencing consumer behavior across Ireland and beyond.

From the rise of #IrishHistory and #GaelTok, to the surprising appeal of #CatholicCore, the aspirational pull of the Hamptons aesthetic, and the unstoppable energy of Florence Road—these are just a few of the trends set to define summer 2025.

GaelTok🇮🇪

All things Irish are trending on TikTok with #GaelTok doubling over the past yeare. The all encompassing hashtag features key aspects of Irish life, history, culture and comedy gaining traction on TikTok in Ireland.

🏔️ #IrishTourism: Ireland’s breathtaking natural beauty has long had a loyal fanbase on TikTok. This year the #WildAtlanticWay (+40%) and in particular, #AchillIsland seeing a staggering 300% increase in mentions—thanks in no small part to the basking sharks spotted at #KeemBay (+51%)

But, it’s not all about the west coast! ✨ Over on the east, #KodakCorner is fast becoming a cult favourite. Tucked at the base of the stunning Mourne Mountains, just a short spin from Rostrevor in Kilbroney Forest Park, the popularity of this once hidden gem on TikTok is turning heads (and lenses) with its jaw-dropping sunsets 🌅 and panoramic views 🌲⛰️.

Across all locations, the popular audio "Probably about as scenic as you're going to get" has become the soundtrack to Ireland’s natural beauty, being used alongside stunning Irish landscapes from coast to countryside.

📺 On Repeat: 90s/00s Nostalgia

A wave of nostalgia for the ’90s and ’00s is sweeping TikTok, with #Nostalgia growing 68% year-on-year in Irish-published videos. From childhood toys and discontinued snacks to primary school memories, users are reminiscing—and the throwbacks are hitting home.

In entertainment, older series are among the most popular IPs on TikTok. A new generation is rediscovering shows like Sex and the City, The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, and Gilmore Girls, while fans of the UK series Skins (with 1.6 million posts globally) provide 00s nostalgia and Y2K outfit inspiration.

In Ireland, the nostalgic vibe has also fueled the rise of #CatholicCore a trend that taps into memories of life at your grandparents’ house, First Communion celebrations, and tin whistle performances in primary school.

The Taste Takeover- Going Green💚

After cucumber's moment last year, it's the humble carrot's turn. US creators recently started sharing grated carrot salads and salt & vinegar 'chips' as healthy alternatives that are gaining traction in Ireland.

Meanwhile, green foods are the flavour of the summer. Pistachio, matcha, and pickles are seeing insane YOY growth rates and are inspiring everything from recipes to nail art and home decor. With pistachio chocolate bars sparking a global shortage, matcha nails trending, and pickle-infused drinks making waves, this green-themed craze shows no signs of slowing down.

In Ireland, the Matcha Bar (@the_matchabar) and Sugar Plum Sweetery (@sugarplumsweetery)with their pistachio-infused dubai chocolate bar are just two examples of Irish businesses using this trend. They’re not just using TikTok to promote their products, but to build authentic relationships with their audiences.

Hamptons Aesthetic 🎀

The Hamptons aesthetic is making waves on TikTok, with #Hamptons racking up over 100K videos and #Cottagecore hitting 2M. Channeling 90's nostalgia and East Coast American chic, the videos created by the TikTok community that tap into the aesthetic are like stepping into a Nancy Meyers film, inspired by nostalgic icons like Martha Stewart and Ina Garten.

It offers a comforting mix of slow living and nostalgic luxury, intersecting with popular fashion looks such as old money, quiet luxury, coastal grandmother, and cottagecore.

📚 #BookTok Evolution

BookTok shows no signs of slowing down in 2025, with romantasy continuing to capture imaginations. Viral series like Fourth Wing and ACOTAR are inspiring a new wave of fan creativity that uses AI to visualise characters, locations and entire fantasy courts. Romance still dominates the charts, while fantasy and spicy spin-offs keep engagement high. Also, with major adaptations on the horizon (including Dolly Alderton’s Pride and Prejudice), the #BookToScreen pipeline is keeping readers and viewers equally hooked.

Romance continues to dominate as the biggest book genre on TikTok, with Fantasy in second place and Romantasy – a blend of romance and fantasy – claiming third. Romantasy has become so influential it's now its own category, with fans creating visual imaginings of their favorite fictional worlds and characters.

In Ireland, several authors are building strong followings on #BookTok including:

Chloe Michelle Howarth (@chloemichellehowarth) who shares insightful book reviews and discussions.

Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin (@niamhsquared) who has become a go-to for her honest book recommendations and thought-provoking commentary on the complexities of modern fiction.

Claire Wright (@clairewright.author) connects deeply with readers through her writing tips, book recommendations, and her personal journey as a fantasy author.

Catherine Prasifika (@prasifcat) brings a unique perspective with her engaging content centred around diverse, culturally rich stories and her creative process.

🎵 Ireland’s thriving music scene on TikTok

From Dublin’s streets to Wicklow’s indie scene, Irish artists are thriving on the platform, including:

  • KhakiKid (@khakikid) from Crumlin, Dublin, is a rising Irish alt-rapper blending jazz-infused hip-hop with introspective storytelling. His single "Date Nite," featuring Saint Demarcus, gained massive TikTok traction, catching Jessie Reyez's attention, and has over 500,000 Spotify streams.
  • MOIO (@sirmoio), a Dublin-based artist and producer, broke through in the Irish alternative R&B scene when his 2023 single "Moments" exploded in 2025. A simple TikTok performance video sent the track to #1 on Spotify's Viral 50 in the USA, Ireland, and UK. The success earned praise from Timbaland and led to a live collaboration with Dermot Kennedy.
  • Florence Road (@florence.road), an all-girl indie rock band from Wicklow, has been building their TikTok following since 2022. After gaining popularity through covers, they released their debut single "Heavy" and continue growing their authentic fanbase on the platform.

Women in Sport & Irish Road Bowls🏅

Women’s sports are gaining incredible momentum on TikTok, showcasing growing visibility and passion across diverse disciplines.
Some of the key trends we are seeing include:

  • #WomensRugby has grown 52% year-on-year, driven by hype around the upcoming Womens' Rugby World Cup and personalities like US rugby star Ilona Maher (@ilonamaher), who played for Bristol Bears this year and has been inspiring a new generation through her social media presence.
  • Irish athletes like Arsenal and ROI star Katie McCabe (@ktmccabe11), Irish sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke (#RhasidatAdeleke), Camogie star Aisling Maher, and professional golfer Leona Maguire are just some of the Irish women driving sports content on the platform and inspiring younger generations to take part.
  • In a niche sporting segment with a strong Irish cultural spotlight, #RoadBowlsinIrelandhas also been peaking in interest. We saw a huge spike in content last July and August, and anticipate a similar surge this summer.

🛍️ TikTok Shop in Ireland

Since launching in Ireland in December 2024 in partnership with Guaranteed Irish (@guaranteed_irl), TikTok Shop has seen incredible response from small businesses and entrepreneurs. While still in its early days, many Irish brands , including @thebellebrush, @ToolFix and @SugarPlumSweetery are already embracing the platform, experimenting with new formats, and building genuine connections with their communities.

Speaking on the release of the Summer 2025 TikTok Trending, Rebecca O'Keefe, TikTok's Head of Content Operations for Ireland said: ""This summer, TikTok is buzzing with authentic Irish voices that are inspiring and connecting people everywhere. From emerging artists to local legends, creators are putting Irish culture front and center—and we’re loving every moment of it. Our Summer 2025 Trending Report highlights how TikTok continues to amplify these voices, opening new doors for discovery, connection, and cultural expression. We’re proud to see Irish creators, businesses, and communities using the platform to share their stories, build genuine relationships, and drive real economic and cultural impact."