2003

2003 recalls when over 7000 athletes from 160 countries took part in the Special Olympics in Ireland It was the year that the Spire in Dublin's O'Connell Street was completed, the Famine replica ship 'Jeanie Johnston' made its maiden voyage to America, and Dubliner Rosanna Davison won the Miss World competition. An exclusive photo deal with 'Hello' magazine meant that Ireland's wedding of the year took place behind closed doors in France: Westlife's Nicky Byrne married Georgina Ahern, daughter of Bertie and Miriam. Overcrowding in Accident and Emergency departments, long waiting lists and ward closures led to crisis in Ireland's health services. Abroad, 2003 was dominated by the debate over Iraq's supposed 'weapons of mass destruction'. US and British air attacks on Iraq were followed by a land war that saw the end of Saddam Hussein's brutal regime. However, although the US declared 'mission accomplished' after only six weeks of war, armed conflict and civil strife continued to grow across Iraq. 2003 was also the year of the 'Columbia' shuttle disaster and the outbreak of SARS (Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Tyrone's Gaelic footballers brushed aside Pat Spillane's 'puke football' criticism and won their county's first senior All-Ireland title. On TV, it was the year 'You're A Star' sent Mickey Harte to represent Ireland at Eurovision with 'We've Got The World', while the ill-fated 'Cabin Fever' reality TV show hit the rocks when the boat sank off Tory Island. Playlist: The Darkness - I Believe In A Thing Called Love The Thrills - One Horse Town Coldplay - Clocks Junior Senior - Move Your Feet Mickey Harte - We've Got The World Paddy Casey - Saints And Sinners Mis-Teeq - Scandalous Will Young - Leave Right Now Jamelia - Superstar