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.

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 3 explores how Ireland's neutrality during World War II represents a fascinating case study in how nations craft narratives of exceptionalism during global crisis. The mythology of resilient independence that emerged during this period reveals the complex relationship between national storytelling and political decision-making, showing how countries often mythologise pragmatic choices to align them with grand historical narratives.

Seán Ó Mórdha's documentary series presents Ireland's wartime experience as a critical moment in its identity formation, illustrating how the decision to remain neutral—controversial internationally but broadly supported domestically—was incorporated into a larger narrative of Irish sovereignty and self-determination. This process reflects the universal tendency of societies to create cohesive stories that make sense of complex political realities.

Each episode examines pivotal moments in Ireland's development, revealing how national mythologies are not merely decorative but fundamentally constitutive of political reality. The series features perspectives from influential Irish figures including former Presidents and Taoisigh, offering unique insights into how national narratives are shaped by those who simultaneously create and are created by them.

By analysing the delicate balance between historical contingency and narrative construction, the series provides a sophisticated framework for understanding how societies integrate challenging periods into their collective identity. First broadcast in 2000, Seven Ages remains an invaluable resource for examining how national mythologies evolve to incorporate even the most difficult historical circumstances into a coherent story of national purpose and character.