Home
A major four part series first aired on Radio Ulster in May '07, History Lessons looks at four key moments in the Troubles, which helped to decide the fate of Northern Ireland, for better or worse. We recreate the drama of the collapse of Stormont in 1972, the fall of the Power Sharing Executive during the UWC strike in 1974, the 1981 Hunger Strikes and the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, and ask key players how, in hindsight, they view what happened and their role. Were their choices the right ones, would they do anything differently, what were the consequences of those events they were involved in? Presented by the former BBC News Correspondent Don Anderson.
History Lesson One: The Fall of Stormont 1972Don Anderson discusses what lessons are to be learned from the decline and fall of the House of Ulster.
History Lesson Two: The UWC Strike 1974Described as both a nakedly sectarian strike and as an astonishingly successful political stoppage which brought down an elected government with ease. Don Anderson tells the story of the UWC Strike in 1974.
History Lesson Three: The Hunger Strikes 1981Don Anderson helps to tell the story of the 1981 Hunger Strikes.
History Lesson Four: The Anglo-Irish Agreement 1985Don Anderson takes us through the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985.
Re-examining History With Don AndersonAuthor and broadcaster Don Anderson reflects on the making of the BBC Radio Ulster series History Lessons.
Glen Barr Long Play InterviewGlenn Barr was a leading spokesman for the UDA in the early 1970s, and here he tells the inside story of the UWC strike which brought down Northern Ireland's power sharing Executive in just 14 days in May 1974.
Sir Kenneth Bloomfield Long Play InterviewSir Ken Bloomfield, former Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, talks about his ringside seat experience of some of the most important events of the Troubles.
Ivan Cooper Long Play InterviewA Protestant who became a founder member of the SDLP and a minister in Northern Ireland's power sharing Executive in 1974 - Listen to Ivan Cooper as he discusses Northern Ireland politics throughout the late 60s and early 70s.
Austin Currie Long Play InterviewAustin Currie, a founder member of the SDLP, talks of his experiences in some of the most momentous events of the Troubles, including the Civil Rights campaign, suspension of Stormont, the Sunningdale talks and the tense final days of the Executive.
Dr Garret Fitzgerald Long Play InterviewIn this fascinating interview Dr Garret FitzGerald, former Taoiseach, talks about his crucial involvement in momentous historical events relating to Northern Ireland.
Dr Maurice Hayes Long Play InterviewHear Dr Maurice Hayes as he talks about his experience as a senior civil servant throughout some key periods in Northern Ireland's Troubles.
Danny Morrison Long Play InterviewDanny Morrison, a former Director of Publicity for Sinn Fein, recalls the bitter battle of wills between representatives of the prisoners and the authorities during the 1981 Hunger Strike.
Brendan McFarlane Long Play InterviewBrendan 'Bik' McFarlane, leader of the IRA prisoners in the Maze Prison in the early 1980's, shares his experience of the Hunger Strike of 1981.
Chris McGimpsey Long Play InterviewChris McGimpsey, an Ulster Unionist and keen student of Irish history, paints a vivid picture of how the Protestant community regarded the Hunger Strike of 1981.
Laurence McKeown Long Play InterviewLaurence McKeown, a former Hunger Striker in 1981, reveals what it was like to come close to death and what it took for the protest to be abandoned.
Sir Oliver Napier Long Play InterviewListen to Sir Oliver Napier as he shares his fascinating experience as leader of the Alliance Party during some of the most crucial events of the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Bob Pagels Long Play InterviewListen to Bob Pagels, a key figure in the Ulster Workers' Council, in interview for History Lessons.
John Taylor Long Play InterviewJohn Taylor, Minister of Home Affairs in the last Unionist government of Northern Ireland, describes in fascinating detail his experiences in Northern Irish politics from the 1960's on.
Lord Trimble, Former First Minister, Long Play InterviewLord Trimble, the former Ulster Unionist party leader, gives his views on some of the key events of the Troubles, including the fall of Stormont in 1972 and the collapse of the power sharing Executive in 1974.
