Ireland: A Television History by Robert Kee (BBC-RTE 1980)
Robert Kee (1919-2013) was already a veteran British broadcaster, writer, historian and journalist when his 1980 thirteen part series 'Ireland: A Television History' was first broadcast in Ireland and Britain.
The series was highly acclaimed as Kee followed Ireland's complex history through the island's development from pre-Christian times, to various uprisings down the centuries, explains the famine of 1845, the 1916 Rising, Independence and up to the late 1970s, with a specific emphasis on the creation of the modern independent republic and the roots of the Troubles. More importantly, the series presented many British viewers with their first detailed insight into the history of Irish politics, especially the issues surrounding sovereignty and identity in Northern Ireland. It could also be argued that the series did much the same for many Irish viewers too.
The series proved unexpectedly timely, since its broadcast coincided with increased tensions in Northern Ireland and the start of the IRA hunger strikes in the Maze prison which catapulted Irish history back into the heart of British politics. It also scored a notable coup when the Republic of Ireland broadcaster and co-producer RTE screened the last two episodes uncut, despite the fact that they contained statements from organisations banned in that country. Kee's aim, however, was not to spark debate amongst historians and politicians but to inform an audience that was largely ignorant of Ireland's past and its bearing on present events. Kee also managed to capture for posterity, first hand video testimony from many participants from the Easter Rising and War of Independence onwards.
As these uploads were from almost forty year old VHS copies, the quality is variable but reasonable when viewed on a smaller screen. Sound is unaffected.
Thanks to 'Mickey Fluter' and YouTube
The series was highly acclaimed as Kee followed Ireland's complex history through the island's development from pre-Christian times, to various uprisings down the centuries, explains the famine of 1845, the 1916 Rising, Independence and up to the late 1970s, with a specific emphasis on the creation of the modern independent republic and the roots of the Troubles. More importantly, the series presented many British viewers with their first detailed insight into the history of Irish politics, especially the issues surrounding sovereignty and identity in Northern Ireland. It could also be argued that the series did much the same for many Irish viewers too.
The series proved unexpectedly timely, since its broadcast coincided with increased tensions in Northern Ireland and the start of the IRA hunger strikes in the Maze prison which catapulted Irish history back into the heart of British politics. It also scored a notable coup when the Republic of Ireland broadcaster and co-producer RTE screened the last two episodes uncut, despite the fact that they contained statements from organisations banned in that country. Kee's aim, however, was not to spark debate amongst historians and politicians but to inform an audience that was largely ignorant of Ireland's past and its bearing on present events. Kee also managed to capture for posterity, first hand video testimony from many participants from the Easter Rising and War of Independence onwards.
As these uploads were from almost forty year old VHS copies, the quality is variable but reasonable when viewed on a smaller screen. Sound is unaffected.
Thanks to 'Mickey Fluter' and YouTube
Episode 1. A Nation Once Again.
Robert Kee's history of Ireland begins with the Stone Age and includes the work of St. Patrick; the Viking and Norman invasions; and the subjugation of Ireland by Elizabethan England. Review of the episode here |
Episode 2. No Surrender.
Chronicles the violence marking the 17th century, which included the rule of Cromwell and of James II, culminating in the English victory at the Battle of the Boyne (1690). Review of the episode here |
Episode 3. Two Nations.
Explores a divided Ireland, citing the rebellion led by Wolfe Tone against the Penal Laws; the Act of Union in 1801; and Daniel O'Connell's victory in securing the right of Catholics to be members of Parliament. Review of the episode here |
Episode 4. Famine.
Chronicles Ireland's potato famine in the mid-1840s, which resulted in the deaths of over a million people and the mass migration of over two million to the U.S, Canada & Australia. Review of the episode here |
Episode 5. Fenians
Conditions after the famine give way to the rise of Fenianism, a movement aimed at securing Ireland's political freedom from England. |
Episode 6. Parnell
Charts the life of Home Rule party leader Charles Stewart Parnell. Parnell's rise and fall marked one of the most dramatic episodes in Irish history. |
Episode 7. Ulster will Fight!
Chronicles the opposition of the Ulster Unionists, led by Sir Edward Carson, to the Home Rule Bill of 1912. Civil war in Ireland was averted only by the onset of WWI |
Episode 8. Rising
Irish nationalists view the war as an opportunity for armed insurrection against the British. This episode chronicles the lead up to the Rising on Easter Monday, 1916 and the aftermath. |
Episode 9. Terror 1919-21 .
The 1918 British elections result in a landslide for the Sinn Fein party, who proceed to declare Ireland an independent republic. This action begins a three-year period of violence between Irish Volunteers fighting for freedom and British forces intent on crushing the nationwide rebellion. |
Episode 10. Civil War 1921-23
This episode examines the events that led to civil war after Ireland received dominion status in 1921, gaining freedom at the price of allegiance to the British Crown. |
Episode 11. Freedom 1928-80
Episode 11 chronicles events from 1928 culminating in Ireland's self-declared independence from England in 1949. Included: De Valera's rise to power; the constitution of 1937; and World War II. |
Episode 12. Six Counties 1921-74
traces the history of Northern Ireland from 1921 to the civil-rights marches of the late '60s. |
Episode 13. Prisoners of History
Robert Kee concludes his series with the conflicts of the 1970s within the island of Ireland. |