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Pop Goes Northern Ireland focuses on the years 1963-1968.

When Terence O'Neill becomes the new prime minister of Northern Ireland, there is hope that sectarian tensions will reduce as he reaches out to the Catholic community and seeks to improve the Stormont government's relations with the Republic of Ireland.

However, O'Neill faces growing dissent within the Unionist party over his approach. Ian Paisley emerges from the loyalist fringes as a strident critic of O'Neill and as a political force to be reckoned with. At the same time, the nationalist community becomes increasingly restive at the failure of O'Neill to carry out concrete reforms addressing issues such as discrimination in housing, employment and local democracy.

In 1968 the civil rights movement takes to the streets demanding reform. When a peaceful march in Duke Street is banned and then attacked by the police, the British Labour government begins to take an active interest in the affairs of Northern Ireland. All over Northern Ireland civil rights marches are confronted by loyalist counter demonstrations and the RUC find it increasingly difficult to maintain order.

In December 1968 O'Neill appeals for Northern Ireland to pull back from the brink - Ulster stands at the crossroads.