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The Brexit story in Google searches: buying gold, getting Irish passports, wondering what happened

Google Trends tells the story of the result of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. Trending searches include a 500% spike in ‘buy gold,’ a doubling in searches on getting an Irish passport and some people apparently wondering what just happened …

With the pound diving and the Euro looking not much healthier over fears that Britain’s exit could lead to other countries following suit, this one is no surprise.

UK citizens who want to retain the personal benefits of EU membership, including the right to visit, live and work in any EU country, have been searching for details of how to obtain Irish citizenship. Both Ireland and Britain allow dual-citizenship to those with at least one Irish grandparent (which, happily, includes me).

Others are looking a little further afield.

With UK news filled with nothing but the referendum for the past several weeks, you’d have had to have been living on Mars not to know about it – or Birmingham, it seems. Question four a top search since the polls closed.

While some appear unaware that there’s a bit of paperwork to do before the UK actually leaves the EU – including a mandatory negotiation period of two years.

People didn’t have long to wait to find the answer to this one: the pound fell 10% on the result before recovering slightly to 8% down on the U.S. dollar.

I was following the news closely, but must confess I’m still wondering how it all happened …

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