Synopsis
A comprehensive look at the Irish people's struggle for Civil rights and how it transpired into a military campaign for independence, before a political agreement was made for fair devolution. Spanning from the late 60s up until present day.
Episodes
Season 11
Bomb and the Ballot BoxIn April 1981, Bobby Sands, an IRA prisoner on hunger strike, won a seat at Westminster, inadvertently starting the endgame in Northern Ireland. Galvanised by this success, Sinn Fein's leader, Gerry Adams, was elected to Parliament in 1983, alarming Irish Prime Minister Garret FitzGerald, who eventually persuaded Mrs Thatcher to sanction the Anglo-Irish agreement by giving Dublin a small say in running Northern Ireland.59m2
Talking to TerroristsIn February 1991, Prime Minister John Major survived an IRA mortar attack. But this wasn't the only message he received from the Republican movement - while publicly the British government refused to talk to terrorists, behind the scenes covert communications began.59m3
CeasefireWith Sinn Fein seeking credibility on the international stage, conditions were set for Gerry Adams' visit to the US. It was the first IRA ceasefire, but could it last?59m4
Guns and GovernmentNew Labour brokers a ceasefire that finally brings Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionists to the negotiating table to form the historic Good Friday Agreement. But despite Tony Blair's decommissioning plans, more than three years after the Agreement, another British Prime Minister faces another Northern Ireland crisis.59m
Bomb and the Ballot BoxIn April 1981, Bobby Sands, an IRA prisoner on hunger strike, won a seat at Westminster, inadvertently starting the endgame in Northern Ireland. Galvanised by this success, Sinn Fein's leader, Gerry Adams, was elected to Parliament in 1983, alarming Irish Prime Minister Garret FitzGerald, who eventually persuaded Mrs Thatcher to sanction the Anglo-Irish agreement by giving Dublin a small say in running Northern Ireland.59m2Talking to TerroristsIn February 1991, Prime Minister John Major survived an IRA mortar attack. But this wasn't the only message he received from the Republican movement - while publicly the British government refused to talk to terrorists, behind the scenes covert communications began.59m3CeasefireWith Sinn Fein seeking credibility on the international stage, conditions were set for Gerry Adams' visit to the US. It was the first IRA ceasefire, but could it last?59m4Guns and GovernmentNew Labour brokers a ceasefire that finally brings Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionists to the negotiating table to form the historic Good Friday Agreement. But despite Tony Blair's decommissioning plans, more than three years after the Agreement, another British Prime Minister faces another Northern Ireland crisis.59mCast
Gerry AdamsSelf (archive footage)
Bertie AhernSelf (archive footage)
Martin McGuinnessSelf (archive footage)
Garret FitzgeraldSelf (archive footage)
John HumeCast
James MolyneauxCast
