Why 'Northern' Ireland?

[ONeill]

Being in the northern hemisphere pisses me off too. Says who?

[Tonto]

I prefer FATDAD.

You've got Down in there twice, it's FATLAD 

[muppet]

it's FATLAD 

Enough about you, back to thread.

[Tonto]

it's FATLAD 

Enough about you, back to thread.

Touche!! 

[Orior]

it's FATLAD 

Enough about you, back to thread.

lol

[muppet]

it's FATLAD 

Enough about you, back to thread.

Touche!! 

Don't worry about it, I'm probably half your height and twice your girth.

[Tonto]

it's FATLAD 

Enough about you, back to thread.

Touche!! 

Don't worry about it, I'm probably half your height and twice your girth.

Less of that chat about my girth... that's between me and 'er! 

[Eamonnca1]

North Ireland and South Ireland would imply two distinct countries both called Ireland. "Northern Ireland" and the "Irish Free State" acknowledges that the whole island is called Ireland and is a single country that just happens to have an international boundary temporarily running through it.  Partition was never meant to be a permanent measure.

Incidentally, I think that people who go out of their way to say "six counties" and "north of Ireland" are no different from the people who go out of their way to say "Londonderry." Most people prefer to shorten words, not make them longer. Anyone making them longer is being tedious. The Good Friday Agreement recognizes the existence of the northern state and the people voted for it. It should be possible for a nationalist to say "Northern Ireland" without being called a traitor in this day and age.

[maddog]

Aye so many wrongs out there, South Shields but no North Shields !!

[deiseach]

North Ireland and South Ireland would imply two distinct countries both called Ireland. "Northern Ireland" and the "Irish Free State" acknowledges that the whole island is called Ireland and is a single country that just happens to have an international boundary temporarily running through it.  Partition was never meant to be a permanent measure.

Was that the reason it became 'Northern Ireland'? It seems slightly wooly logic to me. Why would 'North Ireland' be wrong?

Incidentally, I think that people who go out of their way to say "six counties" and "north of Ireland" are no different from the people who go out of their way to say "Londonderry." Most people prefer to shorten words, not make them longer. Anyone making them longer is being tedious. The Good Friday Agreement recognizes the existence of the northern state and the people voted for it. It should be possible for a nationalist to say "Northern Ireland" without being called a traitor in this day and age.

You're entitled to your opinion, but I've never gone out of my way to call it 'the North of Ireland' or (more commonly) 'the North'. In fact, I generally refer to it as Northern Ireland these days because my wife calls it the North! The comparison with Londonderry is false because very few people call it anything other than Derry in private.

[ziggysego]

North Ireland and South Ireland would imply two distinct countries both called Ireland. "Northern Ireland" and the "Irish Free State" acknowledges that the whole island is called Ireland and is a single country that just happens to have an international boundary temporarily running through it.  Partition was never meant to be a permanent measure.

Was that the reason it became 'Northern Ireland'? It seems slightly wooly logic to me. Why would 'North Ireland' be wrong?

I remember reading somewhere, why it was called Northern Ireland. Must see if I can find it tonight.

[aontroim]

A lot of Yanks call it North Ireland

[Milltown Row2]

Aye so many wrongs out there, South Shields but no North Shields !!

I worked with a lad from South Shields. He said it was just called Shields as I'd asked him at the time. I must use Google before posting !

[Eamonnca1]

I say "the north" all the time but only when the context is clear.