2008

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.