The series offers a comprehensive exploration of how Ireland, as a new nation-state, evolved a collective identity over its first seven decades. The shared national narrative, initially framed by founding leaders, evolved through a dynamic interplay of internal and external socio-economic-cultural forces. It reveals the complex process through which societies construct and sustain their sense of collective self

Episode 4 examines how economic challenges in 1950s Ireland catalysed a profound national reckoning with competing mythologies of identity. The clash between romantic pastoral ideals and modernisation imperatives reveals a universal pattern in how societies negotiate transitions through competing narratives of who they are and who they might become.

Seán Ó Mórdha's documentary series presents this period as a critical juncture where Ireland's self-conception was fundamentally contested, illustrating how economic necessities often force reconsideration of cherished national myths. The series demonstrates that moments of economic crisis frequently trigger not just policy debates but deeper existential questions about national character and purpose.

Each episode explores decisive moments in Ireland's evolution, revealing how national identities are constantly renegotiated through an ongoing dialogue between established narratives and emerging realities. The documentary features insights from key political figures and cultural commentators, offering multi-dimensional perspectives on Ireland's struggle to reconcile traditional self-conceptions with modern imperatives.

By examining the tension between idealised pasts and pragmatic futures, the series provides a sophisticated framework for understanding how societies adapt their foundational stories to accommodate changing circumstances. First broadcast in 2000, Seven Ages continues to offer valuable insights into how national mythologies function both as anchors to tradition and as adaptable frameworks that can accommodate—albeit sometimes reluctantly—the inevitability of change.Seven Ages: The Story of the Irish Stateis a landmark documentary series produced in 2000 by Araby Productions for RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland. Directed by Seán Ó Mórdha, this influential seven-part series chronicles Ireland's evolution since its founding in 1921 through key political, social, and cultural moments in history.