The College Times Roundup Of The Best Of Ireland 2016

It's been a big year but Ireland has been nailing it left, right and centre. Our little country has made it a memorable year for all the right reasons and today we're rounding up the best of Ireland 2016.

Join with us as we reflect on the year that was...

Soundest Irish People

There are some Irish people that despite it all, were just really genuine and cool people. People from all walks of life have sprinkled some cheer on us this year. We decided to honour these people in no particular order as to be honest, they're all just pretty sound.

1. Michael D Higgins

Could we actually have a better president? He's the cutest person alive and constantly reaffirms his soundness every day.

2. Louise O'Neill

The wonderful author has had a huge influence on women across Ireland, as well as being activist for the Repeal the 8th movement.

3. Miriam O'Callaghan

She's constantly a ray of sunshine and one of Ireland's best broadcasters. Between that and having eight kids she should be made a saint.

4. and 5. The O'Donovan brothers

These lads won an Olympic gold medal for rowing and won over our hearts with how down to earth they were.

6. Bono

Bono is one of the most charitable men on the planet and is still able to rock those glasses – kudos.

7. Liam Neeson

We had to include good ol' Liamo, if we didn't he'd know where to find us...

8. Amy Huberman

This Dublin native is on the rise with a new collection alongside Newbridge Silver as well as being super down to earth.

Best Irish Comedians

Irish comedians have been enjoying an immensely successful year in the comedy world.

They've been touring the world, taking the piss out of anything and everything and truly making their mark. We've rounded up the most successful and influential Irish comedians of 2016 in all their brilliance.

These comedians hail from all over the country and have made us laugh time and time again.

1. Al Porter

Al Porter has no doubt had a whirlwind year. He's booked out a whopping seven shows in Vicar St next year and became one of the most commended people of the year for speaking out against the stigma surrounding depression, live on the Cutting Edge.

2. Foil, Arms and Hog

This Dublin comedic trio have blown up this year. Their Irish observational comedy has allowed nearly every one of their videos to go viral and they just seem to nail it every time.

3. Bernard O'Shea and Jennifer Zamparelli (McGuire)

This comedic duo have set the bar with their second season of the RTÉ 80s style comedy, 'Bridget and Eamon'. It's received rave reviews and the pair have come a long way since 'Republic of Telly'.

4. Dylan Moran

Moran is the much loved Fran from the classic sitcom 'Black Books.' These days Moran is recognised as one of the most successful Irish comedians around and did a sold-out tour called 'Off The Hook' in 2015.

5. Ed Byrne

A regular on comedy panel shows, Ed is the Dublin native who first came to the public's attention in the classic Father Ted episode in which he pranks the priest hotline. Since then, he has sold out three times at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is doing a tour of Scandinavia and Britain in 2017.

6. Neil Delamere

Neil Delamere is currently touring around Ireland this year and all of next year and does Irish comedy to a tee.

7. Kevin McGahern

The Cavan native is the current presenter of 'Republic Of Telly' and has been everywhere this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfYzJS3sJZY

Winning the internet

"Why is Ireland so green" may have been the most asked question about the Emerald Isle in 2016 but there's so much more to Eire than meets the eye.

In fact many Irish stories hit world headlines this year or went viral. Here's some of the best examples of Ireland winning 2016:

1. The serenade of a French girl at Euro 2016 made the world love Irish fans:

2. We have the greatest and tiniest president and we defy anyone who disagrees:

Look how cute 'n' tiny the president looks if you think of 1916 wreaths as normal sized wreaths: pic.twitter.com/o7dlOsKdHE

— Fuchsia MacAree (@fuchsiamacaree) February 26, 2016

3. We have a lot to be proud of:

Seeing as it's the 1916 centenary and all,it's probably a good time to recognise our main achievements as a country pic.twitter.com/PhUTzrpr39

— david (@davidmacuidhir) January 23, 2016

4. Ireland has the greatest Netflix show of all time:

I love Kevin spacey in pic.twitter.com/DpoIsPlvSP

— aoife (@AoifeeO) June 4, 2016

5. Fridges know how to be ~Irish~ and patriotic

6. When Ireland got confused but went with it

7. The Spice Bag has made it to France

class pic.twitter.com/3EUZOuV5dw

— cathal (@popeurbanfox) October 18, 2016

8. RIP Harambe

Do it for Harambe @DubGAAOfficial #COYBIB #DUBvMAYO pic.twitter.com/EI50OqzPHg

— Keira Gilleechi (@gilleechi) September 18, 2016

9. When Ireland became one of the hottest places on earth

10. When dads knew what the rest of the world was thinking

My Dad's Thanksgiving blessing is my fave. 😂👌🏾 pic.twitter.com/XAyeYGhkHV

— Siún Ní Dhuinn (@Siuners) November 24, 2016

11. Those O'Donovan brothers charmed us all

Please give those O'Donovan brothers a tv show please. They are hilarious/cool out. Very refreshing #Skibereen pic.twitter.com/RBaK87WWg6

— Emma Gilleece (@Gilleeece) August 12, 2016

12. Twitter made the Rose of Tralee an international event

13. Same for The Late Late Toy Show

USA 🇺🇸: fascist
UK 🇬🇧: gone to shit
Ireland 🇮🇪: Child chanting "Tipp, Tipp, Tipp" to House of Pain's Jump Around #LateLateToyShow

— ⭐ amy o'connor ⭐ (@amyohconnor) December 2, 2016

14. No one understands us, but they try

POLL: What's your favourite Irish word that looks like an English word with an (allegedly) unrelated meaning?

— The Irish For 📚 (@theirishfor) August 31, 2016

15. The truth of it