Did you know 55% of Irish Instagram account owners use the social media platform daily?  With such a fantastic marketing tool at your fingertips, you might consider brushing up on your skills for 2018. At Springboard, we’ve compiled the top 10 Irish Instagram accounts to seek inspiration from in the year ahead. In no particular order, check them out:

University College Cork:

@universitycollegecork

UCC has mastered the art of building and managing a beautifully curated online community. They repost their followers and engage the wider UCC community and network in their InstaStories to show behind-the-scenes videos and highlights from events. A+ for making studying look fun!

Best uses: Community activation

SuperValu Ireland

@supervalu_irl

This feed gives us some serious food envy! Their fantastic tableau of edible delights has us constantly pressing the save button! They provide timely, seasonal inspo as well as tips and recipes from well-known names such as @bressie and @thehappypear . This is one crew that has visual content and pillars of conversation nailed.

Best uses: Visual imagery   

Ryan Tubridy

@instatubridy

It may be because his last two pictures feature Meghan Markle and Ed Sheeran, but we do have to hand it to Mr Tubridy, he has fantastic behind-the-scenes posts that capture and engage users. With 49,900 followers and up to 14,300 likes per post, it is safe to say that he knows his audience well. He makes sure to tag any relevant persons in posts, essential for engagement.

Best uses: Engagement  

Dreaming Always

@dreaming_always_

Making waves in the blogger scene in Cork and Dubai, co-bloggers Leona O’Sullivan Breen (@losullivan) and Nessa Hurley (@nessahurley) are giving us all a lesson in taking the online, offline. Leona and Nessa connect with their audiences in a very real way by organising and hosting meetups and events. Paired with their aesthetically beautiful feed , what’s not to love?

Best uses: Connecting with audiences

Irish Country Magazine

@irishcountrymag         

Take inspiration from these guys on how they refresh and update their posts without over-saturating their followers’ feeds. They have a healthy dose of posts about their magazine, infused with behind-the-scenes clips, staff pics and outtakes from shoots. They are a one-stop-shop for updates, inspiration and good stories.

Best uses: Posting Frequency

Coach House Coffee

@coachhousecoffeeirl

With mouth-watering visual imagery, we think everyone could learn a thing or two from Coach House Coffee! Never short of unique and whimsical content, you’d visit the Waterford Greenway just to sit in this coffee shop alone. Their feed perfectly encapsulates their vibe, culture and brand values.

Best uses: Content

Lili Forberg

@liliforberg

Lili is a photographer, so she may have a creative advantage, but we just love how she merges her professional and personal profiles in her Instagram feed. Using a crisp white, clean aesthetic (& possibly filters), her flatlays are inspiration to us all.

Best uses: Aesthetic Consistency

Laura Cunningham

@cunninghamlaura

Editor at @confettimagazine, Laura’s feed is creative and diverse with just enough fun to keep you coming back for more. We also love video at Springboard, and we appreciate how Laura works it into her feed in a way that adds value.

Best Uses: Video

Tourism Ireland

@tourismireland

We’re sure you don’t need us to tell you how amazing their imagery is, and how well they engage with their users… it’s instantly obvious from their feed. However, one tip you should take from them is the way they utilise Instagram as a micro-blogging tool. They often share tips and tidbits of information about locations and tourist attractions around Ireland that is just enough to whet the appetite and encourage visitors to discover more.

Best Uses: Micro-blogging

Yay cork

@yaycork

Self-described as curators of Cork’s coolest stuff, this little gem launched its new website last week! Don’t be fooled by its mere 966 followers, these guys are ones to watch as they are sure to give you lessons in growing your audience in no time! We particularly like the way they collaborate with brands, most recently a giveaway with @castlemartyrresort, pre-opening posts at @wowburgerirl and an afternoon tea showcase at @theimperialhotelcork

Best uses: Collaboration

Post by Susie Horgan

Susie founded Springboard in 2011, and has developed the business into a leading, director-led communications agency. She has worked for over 20 years in senior marketing and public relations roles.