Pop Goes Northern Ireland blends news footage, archive and the musical hits of the time to provide an enthralling and entertaining potted history of Northern Ireland dealing with our difficult recent past in a way that is entertaining, informative, fresh and accessible to all.

This episode focuses on 1999. The full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement is stalled over the issue of decommissioning. The Ulster Unionist Party insists there must be decommissioning of IRA weapons before a power-sharing executive can be set up.

Despite the Good Friday Agreement there are a number of violent incidents, including the murder of former IRA man turned informer Eamon Collins and civil rights lawyer Rosemary Nelson. A number of deadlines set by the British and Irish governments for the establishment of the executive pass without success.

However in November, thanks to Senator George Mitchell’s review of the agreement, the Ulster Unionists agree to enter government before any decommissioning takes place. A power-sharing executive is finally established and devolved government is returned to Northern Ireland. Show less