Erin Brockovich in the context of "Julia Roberts"

Irish Steel Limited (Irish: Cruach na hÉireann Teoranta), later known as Irish Ispat Limited, was an Irish semi-state company which was involved in steel production primarily from a plant on Haulbowline island in Cork Harbour. Originally founded in 1939, the company and its assets were sold to Ispat International (later known as Mittal Steel Company) (for IR£1) in 1996. The company and its plant closed down in 2001.

Dumping of production materials, including toxic waste, resulted in significant contamination of the Irish Steel plant site, and increased the size of Haulbowline island by 9 hectares (22 acres). Campaigners, including Erin Brockovich, pushed for action by the state, and €61m was allocated to clean-up the site and to redevelop it as a park. The cleanup and redevelopment project lasted upwards of a decade; from 2011 to 2021.

The 54th British Academy Film Awards, more commonly known as the BAFTAs, took place on 25 February 2001 at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, honouring the best national and foreign films of 2000. Presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, accolades were handed out for the best feature-length film and documentaries of any nationality that were screened at British cinemas in 2000.

Ridley Scott's Gladiator won Best Film, while Ang Lee won Best Director for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Billy Elliot was voted Outstanding British Film of 2000; the film's lead actor, Jamie Bell, won Best Actor in a Leading Role. In addition, Julia Roberts won Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich in Erin Brockovich, Benicio del Toro won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in Traffic, and Julie Walters won Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in Billy Elliot. The nominees were announced on 31 January 2001.