Why 'Northern' Ireland?

[BennyCake]

I know for alot of people its 'The six counties', 'The North' etc etc, but I've often wondered why the official name 'Northern Ireland' has 'Northern' in it's name rather than North. Other countries that were divided had North as opposed to Northern (Vietnam, Korea etc). I had thought maybe there was some sinister or legal reason as to why it was Northern.  Anyone know the reason for this?

[Rossfan]

Presumably because the Country wasn't being divided across the middle?
Anyway it should be " Northeastern Ireland "

[The Worker]

if it was North Ireland it would include donegal also?

[Tony Baloney]

if it was North Ireland it would include donegal also?

Jim McGuinness told them not to cross the line.

[Minder]

This seems like an interesting thread.

[Doire abú]

western samoa

[Hardy]

Southern Comfort

[Orior]

Whiskey Steve

[Milltown Row2]

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

[Rossfan]

There IS a North Shields

[Orior]

They should have called it Ulst, which is two thirds of Ulster.

[Milltown Row2]

There IS a North Shields

You sure?

[Tonto]

They should have called it Ulst, which is two thirds of Ulster.

I like it. The two countries could be Ulst and Irela.

[Milltown Row2]

North Shields

There ya go

[muppet]

I prefer FATDAD.