2004

Reeling in the Years looks back to 2004, when Ireland's smoking ban was introduced, when Brian McFadden left Westlife for a solo career, and when over £26 million was stolen in a raid at the Northern Bank in Belfast. Trams returned to the streets of Dublin for the first time in 55 years as the LUAS opened. 'Fake tan', Botox and men's grooming products all increased in popularity: the year also saw the launch of Ireland's 'Oxegen' and 'Electric Picnic' festivals. While 'Fruit Of The Loom' announced the closure of its last two Irish factories, internet companies Google and Ebay chose Ireland for their European headquarters. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Ireland's only victory became mired in controversy: showjumper Cian O'Connor's horse 'Waterford Crystal' tested positive and O'Connor was stripped of a gold medal. Ireland's EU Presidency saw the highlight of the 'Day Of Welcomes' on 1 May, as ten new countries joined the European Union at an accession ceremony in Dublin's Phoenix Park. Representing Europe at a G8 summit meeting, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern famously sported a yellow jacket and trousers... George Bush defeated Democrat challenger John Kerry to win a second term as US president. In Iraq, the US and its allies struggled against rising insurgency: American strategy in Iraq came under further pressure with revelations of prisoner abuse in Abu Ghraib. The end of 2004 was marked by the Asian 'tsunami', when an undersea earthquake triggered massive tidal waves that resulted in the deaths of over 200,000 people in 13 countries. Playlist: Keane - Everybody's Changing Black Eyed Peas - Let's Get It Started Snow Patrol - Run U2 - Vertigo Anastacia - Left Outside Alone Counting Crows - Accidentally In Love Outkast - Hey Ya Natural Gas - The Langer O-Zone - Dragostea Din Tei