From the tribunals to Saipan, we've had a year of calamity after calamity. So what does next year hold? Róisín Ingle on things to look forward to in 2003
The Millennium Spire
Few issues exercised letter writers to The Irish Times last year more than the question of what nickname should be bestowed on this beleaguered monument set to be completed early in 2003, a mere three years later than originally planned. The Stiletto in the Ghetto. The Why? in the Sky. The Gleaming Tower of Pizza land. The North Pole.
In a matter of weeks, we will finally be able to judge for ourselves whether this shiny spiky yoke will boost or blight the Dublin skyline. We absolutely cannot wait.
Keano!
Down in Paddy Power Bookmakers you can get the very short odds of 1-2 on the joyful prospect of Roy Keane pulling an Irish jersey over his head this year. The odds against him rejoining the national squad are 6-4.
We will have to wait until a new manager is in place first, but the smart money is on Keane lining up for a friendly against Scotland in February by which time Saipan will seem like a bad dream. Olé etc.
The death of 'reality' 'entertainment'
Pop Svengali Louis Walsh has declared that audiences are bored of the national karaoke sessions that have passed for television programmes recently. The popularity of Pop Idol, Popstars, Popstars: The Rivals and You're A Star is waning and surely it can't be long before the latest manufactured bands with the worst names in pop - take a bow One True Voice and Girls Aloud - break-up, citing artistic differences such as "she was always hogging the hair straightener, the stupid cow". At least the BBC's reality effort, Fame Academy, gave us Irvinestown singer/songwriter Sinéad Quinn, a vibrant and, yes, original artist to look forward to in 2003.
Special Olympics
In June, the 11th Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Ireland and it's the first time the event has been held outside the US. Around 7,000 athletes, 3,000 coaches and 28,000 family and friends will make it the largest sporting and cultural event ever staged here, putting all that moaning about the European Soccer Championship that never was into perspective.
Dustin doing a Zig and Zag
BBC Radio 1's breakfast DJ Sara Cox had never heard of Dustin the Turkey, but before Christmas, hordes of ex-pats across the UK began jamming BBC phone lines with requests for a fix of their favourite Dublin entertainer on the wireless. Cox made inquiries and tracked down His Royal Fowlness. Dustin The Turkey's Guide to Christmas followed and in a toned-down Dublin accent, our favourite bird gave UK listeners a taste of what they have been missing. Scheduled appearances this year on Parkinson and The Royal Variety Show could not be confirmed at the time of writing. Go on ya good thing!
Ciao bella
This one is for gourmands who like to travel further than Thornton's on St Stephen's Green in Dublin for their grub. This year Aer Lingus is introducing direct flights to Bologna, which in addition to being described as the gastronomic capital of Italy is also steeped in history and can be used as a gateway to Tuscany, darling. Book your tickets and start dreaming of local specialities such as tortellini stuffed with pork, mortadella and Parmesan or marbled salami.
Music to our ears
Pretty pop boys and girls of all kinds will be visiting a stage near you in 2003, with Liberty X bound to be a highlight. As an antidote, the country is also set to be swamped by several bona fide rock legends.
REM, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen are confirmed and rumour has it The Rolling Stones will be pleased to meet you at Vicar Street in Dublin this summer.
If that wasn't enough excitement, Robbie Williams at the Phoenix Park in August should be one of the musical highlights of the year. Altogether now, I'm loving angels insteeeeaad!
Reel news
The last time the capital had a fully-fledged film shindig was back in 2001. The film festival has been in abeyance since then, much to the disappointment of Irish Times film critic Michael Dwyer. Film buffs all over the island should thank him then for organising the first Dublin International Film Festival which takes place in March. Here's looking at you, kid.
Kenny vs Dunphy
These two veteran Irish broadcasters are gearing up to go head to head this year, with TV3 considering proposals for a late-night chat show along the lines of the Late, Late. The independent station is hoping that Dunpho can nab a couple of hundred thousand viewers from RTÉ and land a knockout punch on Kenny at the same time. This one could get nasty but wouldn't it be fun?
Cool clothes
The fashion gods must be smiling down on the Irish. After months of anticipation, it's been announced that clothes emporium Zara is expected to open an outlet in Dublin's Roches Stores in October this year. No more driving up to Belfast or jetting over to the UK for the finest tops, the slinkiest skirts and the most elegant boots from the incomparable Zara range. Now if only H&M would follow suit.