On this week's programme, we explore a period of crisis and transformation - when the Troubles erupted in the North, Anglo-Irish diplomacy was severely tested, and Ireland's place in the world began to change.

Between 1969 and 1973, Ireland faced some of the most difficult foreign policy challenges in its history. The government was forced to rethink its approach—not just to the North, but to its place on the world stage. At the same time, Ireland was negotiating entry into the European Economic Community, and managing Cold War diplomacy. Behind the scenes, Irish diplomats and civil servants were hard at work, trying to navigate through these tumultuous times.

The Documents on Irish Foreign Policy series of books explore how history is shaped by decisions made far from the public eye – through private memos, closed-door meetings, and quiet diplomatic manoeuvres. And tonight on the programme, we’re going to explore it all—through the declassified documents in the latest volume, that reveal what was really happening behind closed doors.

The book is Documents on Irish Foreign Policy: Volume 14: 1969 to 1973, it’s published by the Royal Irish Academy. Myles is joined by Michael Kennedy, John Gibney and Melissa Baird.

They edited the book along with their colleagues Eunan O’Halpin, Kate O’Malley, Bernadette Whelan, Kevin O’Sullivan and Jennifer Redmond.

It’s a partnership project between the Royal Irish Academy, the National Archives, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.