Born in 1999

Ireland adopted the euro, joining the single currency at midnight on January 1st. The old punt was on its way out, and Ireland was binding itself more tightly to Europe than ever before. The Celtic Tiger prosperity was at its most spectacular — new houses, new motorways, new airports, building sites on every street corner.

Young Irish people who had grown up expecting to emigrate were buying apartments instead. The country's self-image was transformed beyond recognition.