Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland

In a landmark 7-part series, Spotlight - Northern Ireland’s leading team of investigative journalists - reveal important new discoveries about the conflict known as the Troubles, in the 50th anniversary of the deployment of British troops to Northern Ireland.

A landmark documentary examining the intense negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement and the critical referendum campaign that followed six weeks later. Drawing on a wealth of contemporary archive and weaving contributions from all the major political figures, including President Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Tony Blair, Senator George Mitchell and Bertie Ahern, the documentary tells the story of the comprehensive political settlement between all the parties presided over by Senator George Mitchell.

The first major attempt to tell the history of a country on television -- from its first beginnings to the present day. Since the late 1960s we have all grown used to the suffering and violence in Northern Ireland. But these are just the latest events in an old story that began 800 years ago when England first became involved with Ireland -- whose first inhabitants had arrived there 8.000 years before.

Through the eyes of various Irish Republican Army (IRA) members, explore the extremes some people will go to in the name of their beliefs, the way a deeply divided society can suddenly tip over into armed conflict, the long shadow of radical violence for both victims and perpetrators, and the emotional and psychological costs of a code of silence.

When young Catholic teacher Cushla falls for a married Protestant man, their secret passion ignites a dangerous love that defies the Troubles divide.