WE’RE NOT SURE what it says about our readers – or our stories – that no single story dominates the list of the top ten most read articles on TheJournal.ie this year. That diversity is good and that people have a wide range of interests, probably.

The stories that did make the list cover a broad list of areas. The vast majority were breaking news stories – such as the Boston bombings, the London slavery case and the murder of Elaine O’Hara – but some were one-off feature pieces which weren’t tied to any particular news story. Many of the stories that did well were given a boost through social media or other websites as people shared stories with their friends and followers.

Here’s the list in full:

1. Scientists want to bring 22 animals back from extinction (24 March)

Views: 489,385

What was it about? A conference in Washington DC discussed ‘de-extinction’ – which animals could be brought back from extinction, as well as the how, why and ethics of doing so.

Sample comment: “Maybe bring back the celtic tiger for about 50 years” – John Darcy

(Pic: Wikimedia Commons).

2. This US soldier ‘found alive’ in Vietnam 44 years after being left behind (28 April)

Views: 478,231

What was it about? A documentary about a US soldier lost in Vietnam in 1968 but who may have been found living in a rural Vietnam village.

Sample comment: “It said in the piece that he couldn’t remember his kids names, his birthday or even how to speak English. Yet he knew he was an American soldier and that he was captured in 68. Odd wouldn’t you say. To remember those details but not his native language , his birthday or the names of his children. What other details could he remember and did he forget.” – Mick Jordan.

3. 63 arrests at Eminem Slane gig (18 August)

Views: 158,231

What was it about? Gardaí released the figures for the number of people arrested at Eminem’s much-anticipated Slane gig, saying that the figure was “very much in line” with events of that size.

Sample comment: “I was working behind the bar and to be honest we had better-behaved and less drunk customers at this than at Mumford & Sons in Phoenix Park a few weeks ago.” – Conor Farrell

(Pic: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

4. Gardaí speak to young girl involved in incident at Slane concert (19 August)

Views: 155,078

What was it about? Gardaí interviewed a girl and her parents after photographs of a young man and woman engaged in a sex act at Eminem’s Slane gig were widely circulated on social media.

Sample comment: “The Internet is a very dangerous place.” – Laurence McDonagh

(Photocall Ireland)

5. Architect Graham Dwyer, 41, charged with murder of Elaine O’Hara (18 October)

Views: 143,266

What was it about? Graham Dwyer of Kerrymount Close in Foxrock was charged with the murder of childcare assistant Elaine O’Hara whose body was discovered in the Dublin mountains more than one year after she went missing.

(Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

6. Body of Peggy Mangan found in Ballymun (28 September)

Views: 119,519

What was it about? Four days after she went missing, the body of 65-year-old Peggy Mangan was found in Ballymun. Her King Charles Cavalier dog was found by her side.

Sample comment: “…so heartbroken for the family… It was so touching to hear her little doggie stayed by her side; not easy for a dog for 4 days with no food! She must have been a wonderful owner and lady. RIP” – Catriona Lowry

(Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

7. Massive manhunt underway for ‘dangerous’ second Boston bomber (19 April)

Views: 115,086

What was it about? Boston police carried out a major operation to find the Tsarnaev brothers, the suspects behind the Boston Marathon bomb attacks which left three people dead and 180 injured. One police officer and 26-year-old Tamerlan Tsarnaev were killed while Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was taken into custody.

Sample comment: “Americans want gun law reform, but their senators and congressmen, a lot of whom are in the pay of the gun lobby, choose to ignore what the vast majority of American citizens want.” – Pat Kennedy

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

8. Mobile phone users targeted by Slovenian premium number scam (27 January)

Views: 103,877

What was it about? A scam originating in Slovnia encouraged Irish mobile phone users to call a premium phone line by leaving a missed call from a number which could be mistaken for an Irish mobile number.

Sample comment: “I have a basic rule. If the name doesn’t pop up on screen, I don’t answer it. If it’s important, the caller will identify themselves by leaving a message. Too many scam artists and bloody spam calls otherwise.” – Daisy Chainsaw

(Ian West/PA Wire)

9. Three dead, 140 injured in Boston Marathon blasts (16 April)

Views: 100,790

What was it about? Two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon left three people dead and more than 180 people injured, many seriously.

Sample comment: “Sky are showing the clip of the moment the explosion took place. The spectators seem to have taken the brunt of it. Thoughts and prayers to those caught up in that nightmare.” – Roy Kane

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

10. Irish woman made call that freed her from 30 years of slavery (21 November)

Views: 100,427

What was it about? Two people were arrested after three women, one of whom was Irish, was discovered at a London house where they had been held against their will for three decades.

Sample comment: “Jesus, what a story… may they all find some peace of mind, poor women.” – Rachael Doyle Van Os

(Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

And just for comparison: Here are the top 10 most read articles on TheJournal.ie in 2012 >