I get to say I left Twitter before “leaving Twitter” was cool. So I’ve been trying platforms like Mastodon, Threads and even Bluesky for the past year or so. However, it’s clear that Bluesky is having a “moment” right now, the data makes that undeniable.
The biggest question I have when I join new platforms like this, is how do I find my clique? Bluesky has the perfect answer which I’ll explain along with recommending some accounts for you to follow.
Bluesky Starter Packs
The early stages of any digital experience will make or break the path of a new users’ relationship. If you join a social media platform and either don’t follow anyone or don’t get follows, you’ll leave. Not because those numbers stroke your ego, but there’s a point you need to reach for engagement to get going.
Realising this, in June 2024 Bluesky introduced Starter Packs. A Starter Pack is a curated collection of Bluesky accounts and custom feeds designed to help new and existing users discover and connect with specific communities or topics on the platform.
Looking at Ireland alone, a sort of cottage industry of people creating and sharing Starter Packs has lead to massive growth in posts and general engagement across the platform.
Best Bluesky Starter Packs in Ireland
From just a few days Bluesky growing in Ireland, there have been some fantastic starter packs. Many of these have focused on the news given we’re coming up to a General Election.
Dr. Tríona Cunnane has created two Starter Packs dedicated to Irish Media Personalities.
Anna Pringle has created three Bluesky Starter Packs, more focused on general posters from Ireland but also including key figures.
More broadly, outside of Ireland, you can search for the best starter packs through the Bluesky Directory. This is a collection of Starter Packs your can browse through to find Bluesky posters in various niches. Everything from “It’s called Soccer“, dedicated to North American football to a Starter Packs dedicated to Postcard collectors.
Who to Follow on Bluesky Ireland?
I’m stilling settling into Bluesky myself, but I’m seeing a few people from as far back as my Twitter days on there. So if you were to ask me who my absolute top five, must-follow accounts are, it’s likely these people I’ve been following for a long time.
I’ll expand this out to ten after I spend some more time!
Taoiseach Simon Harris Joins Bluesky
Taoiseach of Ireland, Simon Harris, joined Bluesky, making it one of the first major political accounts in Ireland to be started. Just how active he will be remains to be seen and it is a personal account. Not one representing the Department of An Taoiseach. So we’ll see how long it is before he has to update his bio.
I’m not counting him as one of the top five to follow. It just seemed newsworthy including him.
Lisa Grimm
Lisa is one of those follows that I understand why I followed more and more with every post. She posts about beer, history, books and general goings on. I highly recommend giving her a follow to keep up with the latest weird pubs and often spooky reads. Honestly, the Weirdo Pubs alone is worth the follow to find some absolute gems.
Ciaraíoch
Ciara, aka Ciaraíoch, is an social media poster I’ve followed for a long time. While an incredible illustrator, I’ve always enjoyed her general take on daily Irish life. Give her a follow if you want a laugh.
I can’t embed her posts here for privacy reasons, so you’ll just have to go give her a follow.
Séamas O’Reilly
Séamas is an author and avid social media user (because I’m not sure anyone is actually a social media fan). He bought into Bluesky early and is a fairly regular poster.
If you feel like you recognise his name, he’s the author of “Did Ye Hear Mammy Died” which was brought to “Ten Siblings?” fame by Tommy Bowe.
Blindboy Boatclub
Limerick’s favourite son is also on Bluesky. Blindboy has also been using the platform for a long time. He’s not quite as regular a poster on here given he’s busy with countless other ventures, but he’s worth a follow regardless.
If you haven’t checked out his short, Did You Read About Erskine Fogarty? on RTÉ yet, it’s a great watch.
James Kelleher
James is a designer with an incredible sense of humour. I’m not going to try and pidgeon-hole him into a category because he posts about a lot of different things. The vast majority of which make me say either “wow” or makes me laugh.
Myself and the Goosed Team
What’s this? A trojan horse? You came for general information and here you find a shill. Yeah, well sorry about that. Feel free to ignore this bit because Goosed and the writing team is also on Bluesky. You’ll find us with our shiny @goosed handles which verifies us (Jon is WIP).
If you entrust us with your follow, we promise to…try not be boring. We’ll be posting about the latest tech news and reviews, same as we have since 2014, but now on Bluesky.
