The other major national story is the visit of Queen Elizabeth II? No—that was 2011. In 2010, it’s the even more awkward state visit of Pope Benedict XVI. The footage of a sparse, rain-drenched crowd in the Phoenix Park, contrasted with the mammoth gatherings of John Paul II in 1979, is a masterful visual representation of the Church’s collapsing authority in Ireland, coming just as the Cloyne Report scandal begins to break.
Reeling in the Years 2010 is not a "fun" watch. Unlike the 1994 or 2002 episodes, you won't finish it with a nostalgic smile. Instead, you’ll finish it with a tightness in your chest. It is a perfectly preserved museum of Irish trauma—a reminder of the winter when the lights nearly went out. reeling in the years 2010
As always, the song choices are the secret weapon. The early months are underscored by tracks that feel heavy with resignation. The use of over footage of the banking inquiry has a gritty, accusatory feel. The melancholic synth of The National's "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (a song about being financially and spiritually drained) perfectly soundtracks the exodus of young emigrants at Dublin Airport. The other major national story is the visit
The emotional core of Reeling in the Years 2010 is, without question, the All-Ireland Hurling Final replay between Kilkenny and Tipperary. The buildup shows the "drive for five"—Kilkenny’s seemingly unstoppable march to a fifth consecutive title. But then, the edit shifts. The music swells not with Irish folk, but with as Tipp’s Lar Corbett single-handedly dismantles the Cats. The footage of Corbett solo-running, fist-pumping, and batting the ball to the net is intercut with shots of packed, rain-soaked terraces and the ecstatic, tear-streaked face of a Tipperary fan. For five glorious minutes, the bailout, the IMF, the job losses—all of it vanishes. It is the single most effective piece of sports documentary editing ever produced by RTÉ. The final whistle, the roar, and the cut to a quiet, rain-slicked street in Nenagh is pure poetry. The footage of a sparse, rain-drenched crowd in
The Reeling in the Years series is a cherished time capsule for the Irish public, and the 2010 edition is arguably one of its most poignant and difficult to watch. Where previous episodes—like the euphoric 1990s or the turn of the millennium—brimmed with Celtic Tiger confidence, the 2010 episode is a masterclass in documenting national grief, grim perseverance, and fleeting, defiant joy. It is a portrait of a country hitting rock bottom, picking up the pieces, and finding one glorious, sun-drenched distraction.
Lar Corbett’s goal against Kilkenny, synced to the crashing chorus of "Uprising." Most Depressing Moment: The silent pan across the "For Sale" signs in a ghost estate in Longford. Most Ironic Song Choice: Playing The Coronas’ "Heroes or Ghosts" over footage of Brian Cowen’s infamous, exhausted "Biffo" press conference.
