This page contains resources that are suitable for the teaching of ‘The Troubles’ at KS3 and GCSE Changing Relations: Northern Ireland and its Neighbours, 1965-1998. Resources are arranged by GCSE topic followed by resources featuring multiple themes.
Background to the Troubles
Video | NI Troubles: Troubled Times | BBC
Were the Troubles in Northern Ireland lit by a single spark?
Video | Understanding Northern Ireland 01 A Violent Birth | UTV on YouTube
UTV schools programme explores the origins of Northern Ireland.
Video | Understanding Northern Ireland 02 The Protestant North | UTV on YouTube
UTV schools programme explores the inter-war history of Northern Ireland.
Video | A State Apart 1 Separate Government | BBC Schools on YouTube
This opening programme in the series traces the history of Northern Ireland from the Government of Ireland Act 1920 to the 1960s.
Teachers Notes | A State Apart | BBC Schools
The State Apart series is accompanied a set of teachers notes and worksheets.
Video | Background to NI | Lagan History
Short animation introducing important aspects of Northern Ireland history from Partition to the 1960s.
Terence O’Neill Years
Resource | Too Little too late 1965-1967 | Ulster Museum
Museum videos, artefacts and activities are brought together to explore Terence O’Neill modernisation attempts and reaction to his reform proposals.
Video | Ulster | Digital Film Archive
Fascinating documentary that provides a snapshot of Northern Ireland on the brink of The Troubles.
Video | Terence O’Neill Speech 1965 | Digital Film Archive
Then Northern Ireland’s Prime Minister, Terence O’Neill reflects on the results of the 1965 General Election.
Video | NI Troubles: Troubled Times | BBC
Were the Troubles in Northern Ireland lit by a single spark?
Video | O’Neill’s Economic Policies | Lagan History
Short animation that concentrates on Northern Ireland Prime Minister, Terence O’Neill’s economic policies in the 1960s before the country was deeply affected by the Troubles.
Video | O’Neill’s Political Policies | Lagan History
Short animation that concentrates on Northern Ireland Prime Minister, Terence O’Neill’s political policies in the 1960s before the country was deeply affected by the Troubles.
The campaign for Civil Rights
Video Clips | Civil Rights in Northern Ireland | RTE Archives
A collection of footage covering the emergence of the Civil Rights Movement in 1968 and its impact in that year and beyond.
Podcast | What were the origins of the Northern Irish Civil Rights Movement? | Historical Association
An HA Podcast Series on Modern Irish History featuring Dr Fearghal McGarry QUB NB Requires subscription
Video | Voices of 68 |Ulster Museum
Voices of ‘68 tells the story of the Northern Ireland civil rights movement based on oral history testimonies that explore the contested nature of memories of this vital period.
Resource | Civil Rights to Armalites January 1967- April 1969 |Ulster Museum
Museum videos, artefacts and activities are brought together to tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement.
Video | NI Troubles: Ulster’s Crossroads | BBC
The civil rights march that changed the course of history
Video | Understanding Northern Ireland 04 Reform and Reaction | UTV on YouTube
UTV schools programme that explores the origins of the Civil Rights movement.
Video | A State Apart 2 Civil Rights Movement | BBC Schools
This programme looks at discrimination, the emergence of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association and the violence of the 1960s.
Teachers Notes | A State Apart | BBC Schools
The State Apart series is accompanied a set of teachers notes and worksheets.
Resource | Civil Rights Campaign Chronology | CAIN
A chronological list of key events in the Civil Rights Campaign 1964-1972
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: Climate of Revolution | The Nerve Centre
The first lesson in the module will be used to inform students of the various protests that went on around the world in the 1960s.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: The Emergence of NICRA | The Nerve Centre
This lesson will detail the reasons why there may have been a change in attitude amongst Nationalists in the 1960s, as well as some of the major protests in the civil rights movement.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: NICRA’s Formation and Demands | The Nerve Centre
This lesson will provide an overview of the formation of NICRA and the tactics they used to achieve their demands.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: October ’68 – August 69 | The Nerve Centre
This lesson will look into the violence that swept through Northern Ireland between October ‘68 and August ’69 (the Battle of the Bogside) and the reasons for it.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: Free Derry A “No Go” Area | The Nerve Centre
This lesson will follow up on the events of The Battle of the Bogside and look at the establishment of a “No Go” area in the Bogside of Derry/Londonderry.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: Legacy | The Nerve Centre
In order to address perceived grievances in Northern Ireland that were highlighted by the civil rights movement, the unionist government granted a number of reforms.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: Civil Rights in Northern Ireland | The Nerve Centre
The lesson states how the civil rights movement came into being in Northern Ireland and identifies some of the different groups involved.
A deteriorating situation, 1969–72
Video | Burning of Bombay Street | Digital Film Archive
Forty years after the original news coverage, Paris-based journalist and filmmaker Lawrence Pitkethly returns to visit the residents of Belfast’s Bombay Street.
Video clips | Violence in Northern Ireland 1969 | RTE Archives
Video clips and documentation are used to document the increase in tension and escalation of violence in Northern Ireland in 1969.
Resource | Ballymurphy: ‘Entirely Innocent‘ | BBC News
BBC News Story that explores the events of an Army operation in Ballymurphy in 1971 that left 10 people dead.
Video | NI Troubles: Bloody Sunday | BBC
What led to the events of 30 January 1972 and what was the immediate fallout?
Video | NI Troubles: Direct Rule | BBC
Rising levels of violence lead to the closing of the Northern Ireland parliament.
Resource | Internment | CAIN
Background information and a chronology of key events between the years 1971 and 1975.
Resource | Conflict, Crisis and Collapse – May 1969- March 1972 | Ulster Museum
Museum videos, artefacts and activities document the increase in tensions across Northern Ireland and the deployment of troops.
Resource | Teaching Divided Histories: 1972 A pivotal year | The Nerve Centre
The Search for a political solution – attempt at power-sharing 1973-74
Video | Northern Ireland a chance for Peace | Digital Film Archive
A film looking at the endeavours of the Northern Ireland power-sharing executive of 1974. Examines societal issues – such as housing, economic growth and employment – and the obstacles to peace.
Video | NI Troubles: Sunningdale, Strikes and the South | BBC
Political Power-sharing is met with industrial action led by loyalists.
Resource | Teaching Divided Histories: The Sunningdale Agreement | The Nerve Centre
The lesson will detail the first major attempt at a peace settlement after the introduction of direct rule in 1972.
Resource | UWC Strike | CAIN
Background information on the strike is accompanied by a chronology of events.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: The Ulster Workers Council Strike | The Nerve Centre
Responding to an attempt by the British government to devolve power to Northern Ireland, the Ulster Workers Council began a strike which brought Northern Ireland to a standstill for 14 days in 1974.
Video | A State Apart 3: Ulster Workers Council Strike | BBC Schools
This programme deals with the failure of the power-sharing administration in Northern Ireland in 1974.
Teachers Notes | A State Apart | BBC Schools
The State Apart series is accompanied a set of teachers notes and worksheets.
Changing Republican strategy
Resource | NI Troubles: Hunger Strike | BBC
A deadly prison protest that became a pivotal moment.
Resource | NI Troubles: Agreement and Disagreement | BBC
Continued IRA activity and the rise of Sinn Féin prompts inter-governmental talks.
Resource | Hunger Strike | CAIN
Summary, names of participants and a chronology of events is included in this section of the CAIN website.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: The Hunger Strikes | The Nerve Centre
This lesson gives a brief background to the hunger strikes and explains why prisoners were protesting.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: Politics and Violence | The Nerve Centre
The lesson will describe the change in strategy of the republican movement in Northern Ireland after the Hunger Strikes of 1981.
Video | A State Apart 4: Hunger Strikes | BBC Schools
This programme deals with the impact of the hunger strike in the Maze Prison in 1981.
Teachers Notes | A State Apart | BBC Schools
The State Apart series is accompanied a set of teachers notes and worksheets.
Changing relations – towards closer co-operation
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: The Anglo-Irish Agreement | The Nerve Centre
The Anglo-Irish Agreement was an attempt by the British and Irish governments to end violence in Northern Ireland and address the political gains made by Sinn Féin
Video | A State Apart 5: Anglo-Irish Agreement | BBC Schools
The programme deals with the Anglo-Irish Agreement 1985 as a renewed effort to reconcile the two communities and to provide a framework for North / South relations.
Teachers Notes | A State Apart | BBC Schools
The State Apart series is accompanied a set of teachers notes and worksheets.
Video | Anglo-Irish Agreement | Lagan History
Short animation on the background and reaction to the Anglo-Irish agreement.
Video | Unionist Opposition Anglo-Irish Agreement | Lagan History
Short animation on the Unionist reaction to the Anglo-Irish agreement.
Video | NI Troubles: 1988 | BBC
A year of shocking violence, propaganda battles and the emergence of peace talks.
Resource | Lead up to the Peace Process | CAIN
Chronology of events leading up to the Peace Process 1988-1993
The Downing Street Declaration, 1993
Resource | Peace Process (ii) | CAIN
Chronology of events in the Irish Peace Process 1993 – 1998
Video | NI Troubles: Beginning of the End | BBC
Ceasefires are announced and peace talks bring renewed hope for change.
Resources | Divided Society Downing Street Declaration Toolkit | Linenhall Library
Included in the resource are samples of political cartoons, newspaper front pages and political posters.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: The Peace Process | The Nerve Centre
The lesson will detail the difficult path to the Good Friday Agreement through the ceasefires and various political talks that took place.
Video | What was the Hume Adams Initiative? | Lagan History
Short animation on the Hume Adams Initiative which led in part to the northern Ireland peace process and eventual Good Friday Agreement of 1998.
The Good Friday Agreement, 1998
Resource | Divided Society – The Agreement Toolkit | Linenhall Library
This resource can be used to stimulate debate and will help towards the development of empathy and understanding of the topic.
Video | NI Troubles: Good Friday Agreement | BBC
In 1998, people voted in huge numbers to endorse an agreement brought about by multi-party talks.
Website | Good Friday Agreement | BBC
A website that explores the detail of the political framework.
Resource | Peace Process (ii) | CAIN
Chronology of events in the Irish Peace Process 1998 -1999
Video | Terms of the Good Friday Agreement | Lagan History
Short animation on the terms of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.
Video | Reaction to the Good Friday Agreement | Lagan History
Short animation on the reactions to the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.
Podcast | The Troubles and the Good Friday Agreement | Historical Association
An HA Podcast Series on Modern Irish History featuring Professor Peter Gray, Dr Fearghal McGarry QUB. NB Requires subscription
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: The Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement | The Nerve Centre
The lesson explains what the Good Friday Agreement was and how it changed the political landscape in Northern Ireland.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: The Good Friday Agreement and the International Community | The Nerve Centre
This lesson looks at some of the international organisations and mediators that assisted – and continue to assist – the peace process in Northern Ireland.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories: Dealing with the Past | The Nerve Centre
This lesson looks at the issues that remained in Northern Ireland after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
Resource | The Good Friday Agreement | National Archives
The National Archives has created a set of resources for use in secondary level school assemblies to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement which ended the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Resources featuring multiple topics
Video | Spotlight on the Troubles a Secret History | BBC
A series of eight one-hour documentaries charting the history of the Troubles.
Video | The Longest Decade pt1 | Digital Film Archive
This partial documentary looks at the troubles from 1968 – 1978 and its effects on industry.
Video | The Longest Decade pt2 | Digital Film Archive
A partial documentary detailing events between 1968-1978. This section concentrates on local industry and The Troubles.
Resource | BBC Bitesize – Changing Relations: Northern Ireland and its Neighbours, 1965-1998 | BBC
Revision aid for the CCEA specification.
Lesson Plan | Teaching Divided Histories | The Nerve Centre
Teaching Divided Histories is an innovative three year project which introduces new, curriculum-linked, digital approaches to the study of conflict into schools in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland
Quizzes | GCSE NI Quizzes | Lagan History
A set of interactive quizzes testing your knowledge of key aspects of the GCSE Changing Relations 1965-1998 syllabus.
Resource | GCSE NI Mind Maps | Lagan History
Interactive mind maps that cover key concepts of the Changing Relations 1965-1998 syllabus.
Resource | GCSE NI Interactive Timeline | Lagan History
Interactive timelines that cover key events of the Changing Relations 1965-1998 syallbus.