August 1969 was the month that Northern Ireland erupted into violence. Sectarian tensions manifested on the streets in a bloody conflict that would become known as “the Troubles” and claim more than 3,500 lives over four decades.
Presented here are RTÉ radio and television recordings of some of the major events of 1969 in Northern Ireland.
The accompanying photograph shows a slogan painted on the gable end of a house in Derry, "You are now entering Free Derry".
© RTÉ Stills Library 0119/042