An ITV schools programme.

Using the methods of reenactment, time markers and maps, and by visiting present day locations, presenter Oliver McGilloway tells the story of Ireland.

In this first episode, we are introduced to the methods that help us conprehend time's passing and the geographical distance between different locations.

From Colby House, in Belfast, to County Tyrone and on to the Sperrin Mountains - in particular the Sawel - we are shown how the Ice Age shaped the local landscape, creating the boulders and rivers that can be seen today. After the Ice Age, plant life came back to Ireland and, with it, animal activity flourished. Soon after man arrived.

ITV Schools was the educational television service set up

in 1957 by the Independent Television Authority, broadcasting learning

programmes for children ages 5 to 18 across ITV-affiliated stations. It

was an example of public service broadcasting on a commerical television

network. ITV moved its schools programming to Channel 4 in 1987,

although ITV continued to produce programmes and the service continued

to use the ITV name for another six years.The last ITV Schools programme

on Channel 4 aired on Monday, 28th June, 1993.    

Presented by Oliver McGilloway. 

Facilities provided by Northland Films.

An Ulster Television Production. 

• NI Direct - PRONI