Bucknell University, Northern Ireland Video Project

The Troubles in Northern Ireland were a period of open conflict between Catholics, Protestants, and the government of the United Kingdom that lasted from 1969 to about 2000. The conflict led to open, revolutionary warfare between nationalist Catholics led by the Irish Republican Army, pro­Union Protestants led by Ian Paisley, British Paramilitaries, and the United Kingdom government in Westminster. World famous, dramatic events like Bloody Sunday, the Catholic Hunger Strikes, the Omagh bombing, and the Good Friday Agreement marked the Troubles at the same time that there were many behind ­the ­scenes social actions and political moves that shaped the history of Northern Ireland at the time.

This is a video archive that places The Troubles in historical context. The tapes were made as part of Bucknell’s yearly, 3 ­week course in Northern Ireland held between 2002 and 2008. The archive is mostly made up of lectures by first­hand participants and by academics with deep involvement in the Northern Irish events of 1969 to 2005.

Some of the tapes are historically significant. Central actors who were leaders in important events tell their stories. A number of those individuals are no longer with us, so these tapes are one of the few places where one can hear detailed, accounts by these people of actions that shaped the conflict.

These files provide a historically coherent account that will familiarize the public and students in university courses about events involved in the evolution of the conflict. Included is a history beginning with the early days of Ireland and its relationship with England to a detailed political and narrative about the evolution of the conflict. Added to this are presentations focused on important side issues like the integrated education system or the painting of murals representing partisan communities and documenting key moments in the Troubles.