Season 5 - 2000's

In 2000, Sonia O'Sullivan won silver in the 5000m at the Sydney Olympics, while Brian O'Driscoll emerged as a rugby star with three tries in a 27-25 victory over France. The U.S. presidential election became a legal battle between George W. Bush and Al Gore over Florida votes. In Abbeylara, Co. Longford, an armed siege ended with Gardaí shooting John Carthy. The year also saw the Concorde crash and the 'Kursk' submarine disaster. In Ireland, angry Eircom shareholders, Frank Dunlop's revelations at the Flood Tribunal, and a taxi strike made headlines. Ireland's economy boomed, creating 100,000 jobs, and Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy introduced record tax cuts. TV saw Gay Byrne host Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, and Anna Nolan was in Big Brother. Westlife matched The Beatles' record of consecutive UK Number One hits, and U2 received the Freedom of Dublin.

2001 was marked by the September 11 attacks, where over 3,000 people died when al-Qaeda hijacked four planes, hitting New York’s Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. In Ireland, large crowds attended religious ceremonies for Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. The 'Bertie Bowl' controversy arose over plans for a new sports campus, and Bertie Ahern appeared on RTÉ's The Premiership. Irish soccer fans celebrated World Cup qualification, and the TV show Bachelors Walk debuted. The first Harry Potter film was released, and Jeremy Irons restored a medieval castle in West Cork. The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease affected both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Tanaiste Mary Harney married, the SSIA savings scheme launched, and Ellen MacArthur set solo sailing records. Sectarian violence continued in Belfast, and tragedy struck when eight Turkish migrants died in a freight container in Wexford.

In 2002, Ireland's World Cup campaign was marred by a dispute between captain Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy, leading to Keane’s departure from the camp. Despite this, Ireland reached the second phase before losing to Spain in a penalty shootout. Fianna Fáil returned to power in Ireland’s general election. In entertainment, Paul McCartney married Heather Mills, and Daniel O'Donnell married Majella McLennan. The Taliban were ousted from Afghanistan, and tensions rose over Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction. In pop culture, Nadine Coyle was dropped from Six for lying about her age but later joined Girls Aloud. The Euro replaced the punt in Ireland, new driving penalties were introduced, and plastic bag levies were imposed. Golfer Paul McGinley helped Europe win the Ryder Cup, and Armagh won its first All-Ireland football title.

In 2003, over 7,000 athletes from 160 countries participated in the Special Olympics in Ireland. Dublin's Spire was completed, and the Jeanie Johnston ship made its maiden voyage. Rosanna Davison won Miss World, and Westlife's Nicky Byrne married Georgina Ahern in a private ceremony in France. Ireland's health services faced a crisis with overcrowded A&E departments and long waiting lists. Globally, the Iraq War dominated, followed by civil unrest, and the Columbia shuttle disaster occurred. The year also saw the outbreak of SARS. Tyrone's Gaelic football team won their first senior All-Ireland title, and on TV, Mickey Harte represented Ireland at Eurovision, while the Cabin Fever reality show failed when its boat sank.

In 2004, Ireland saw significant events such as the introduction of a smoking ban, Brian McFadden leaving Westlife, and a £26 million raid at the Northern Bank. Trams returned to Dublin with the LUAS, while fake tan, botox, and men's grooming grew in popularity. The launch of Ireland's Oxegen and Electric Picnic festivals marked cultural milestones. Google and eBay chose Ireland for their European headquarters. At the Athens Olympics, Ireland's only medal was marred by controversy after Cian O'Connor's horse tested positive. Ireland's EU Presidency saw ten countries join the EU, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern attended a G8 summit. Globally, George Bush won a second term, the US struggled in Iraq, and the Asian tsunami devastated 13 countries.

Reeling in the Years highlights key events of 2005, including Cork becoming the European City of Culture, Waterford hosting the Tall Ships, and Dundrum’s new shopping centre. Internationally, it marked the Live 8 concerts, Hurricane Katrina, the death of Pope John Paul II, and the 7/7 London bombings. Domestically, the Shell to Sea campaign opposed a gas pipeline in Co. Mayo, with the 'Rossport Five' jailed for 94 days. Belfast mourned George Best, while the Sony Playstation and Xbox 360 launched. Eddie Hobbs’ Rip-Off Republic was a TV hit, and a photo of Minister Willie O'Dea backfired after he was pictured pointing a gun at a camera.

In 2006, chaos erupted in Dublin during the 'Love Ulster' riot following a loyalist march on O'Connell Street. Despite challenges for Irish soccer manager Steve Staunton, there were notable sporting achievements, including Derval O'Rourke's World Indoor Championships gold, Katie Taylor’s boxing titles, and Bernard Dunne’s European Super bantamweight win. Munster won the Heineken Cup, and Ireland claimed the Triple Crown. Political pressure mounted on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern after financial revelations. On TV, Pat Kenny showcased the Nintendo Wii, and The Podge And Rodge Show was popular. The Wind That Shakes The Barley won the Palme D'Or at Cannes, while global issues like climate change and the war in Lebanon dominated headlines.

In 2007, Padraig Harrington won the British Open, and Ireland's cricket team triumphed over Pakistan at the World Cup. The Spice Girls and Boyzone reunited, while Apple launched the iPhone. Many Irish went Christmas shopping in New York. The 2007 election saw the 'Rumble in Ranelagh' and a disastrous result for the Progressive Democrats, leading to Michael McDowell's resignation. The Green Party joined Fianna Fail in coalition. In January, three fishing boats sank off Ireland's south coast, and in May, Madeleine McCann was abducted in Portugal. Galway faced months without clean water, and protests continued over the M3 motorway. The old Lansdowne Road stadium was demolished, and Ireland beat England 43-13 at Croke Park. In Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein and the DUP shared power, marking political progress.

Reeling in the Years reflects on 2008, when Bertie Ahern resigned as Taoiseach and was succeeded by Brian Cowen. Globally, Barack Obama was elected U.S. president, campaigning with "Yes We Can." The Beijing Olympics featured a spectacular opening, and Irish boxers won three medals. The song "Falling Slowly" from Once earned an Oscar. Ireland rejected the Lisbon Treaty, while Dustin the Turkey performed at Eurovision. Cork's GAA players went on strike, and Munster won the Heineken Cup. Irish troops were sent to Chad for peacekeeping. The global financial crisis hit hard, with Lehman Brothers collapsing, and Ireland's economy faltering. The government issued a two-year guarantee for banks.

In 2009, Thierry Henry's controversial handball prevented Ireland from reaching the World Cup. Irish rugby celebrated its first Grand Slam in 61 years, while Leinster won the Heineken Cup. American pilot Chesley Sullenberger became a hero after safely crash-landing US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River. Ireland faced devastating floods, especially in Cork. The country launched an H1N1 vaccination campaign, and Pat Kenny stepped down from The Late Late Show. Ireland voted 'Yes' to the Lisbon Treaty, but public outrage followed the release of reports on child abuse by the State and Church. Michael Jackson and Stephen Gately passed away, and Barack Obama was inaugurated as U.S. President. Amid financial turmoil, Ireland nationalized Anglo Irish Bank and introduced NAMA to address a banking crisis.