Alternative names for Northern Ireland facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Northern Ireland has several different names. It's a part of the United Kingdom and includes six historic counties of Ireland. The other twenty-six counties became the Irish Free State in 1922, which is now the Republic of Ireland. People in Northern Ireland, and elsewhere, use various names for the region. These names often show different political views. For example, unionists and Irish nationalists sometimes use different names. In 1949, there was a serious idea to change Northern Ireland's official name to Ulster, but it stayed "Northern Ireland."

What is Northern Ireland's Official Name?

The official and legal name for this region is Northern Ireland. Both the British and Irish governments use this name. Most people living there and governments around the world also use it.

Different Names and What They Mean

People use different names for Northern Ireland, often depending on their political views.

Names Used by Unionists

Unionists are people who support Northern Ireland staying part of the United Kingdom.

Why is it Called Ulster?

The name Ulster is often used by unionists. Some news channels in the UK also use it. Ulster comes from an old name, Uladh, combined with a Norse word meaning "province."

The historic province of Ulster has nine counties. However, three of these counties (County Monaghan, County Cavan, and County Donegal) are actually in the Republic of Ireland. This is why some nationalists don't like the name "Ulster" for Northern Ireland alone. Unionists argue that because Ulster's size has changed over time, the name can refer just to Northern Ireland.

You can see "Ulster" in official names like the Ulster Unionist Party and the University of Ulster.

What Does "The Province" Mean?

Sometimes, people call Northern Ireland The Province. This refers to its status as a "province" of the United Kingdom. However, it can also hint at the larger province of Ulster. Since no other part of the UK is called a province, some prefer to use "the region" to avoid confusion.

Was Northern Ireland Ever Called "Kingdom of Ireland"?

In 1949, when Ireland became a republic, some British politicians discussed names. One idea was to call Northern Ireland the "Kingdom of Ireland." However, this name was never officially used.

Names Used by Nationalists

Nationalists are people who believe Northern Ireland should be part of a united Ireland.

Why "The North of Ireland"?

Nationalists often call the region The North of Ireland, The North-East, or simply The North. Using these names can suggest that Northern Ireland is part of the island of Ireland, rather than a separate political entity. Interestingly, this name doesn't include Ireland's most northern point, which is in County Donegal.

What are "The Six Counties"?

Another common name among republicans (a type of nationalist) is The Six Counties. This name makes the region sound like just a group of Irish counties, rather than a separate country.

"The Occupied Territories" Explained

Some republicans use strong phrases like The Occupied Territories or The Occupied Six Counties. These terms suggest that the British presence in Northern Ireland is not rightful. Sometimes, it's shortened to The Occupied Zone or The OZ.

Other Common Names

"The North" and "The South"

In the Republic of Ireland, people often just say the North to mean Northern Ireland. Similarly, in Northern Ireland, people often say the South to mean the Republic of Ireland. This is a common shortcut for both unionists and nationalists.

This can be a bit confusing geographically. For example, County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland is actually north of parts of Northern Ireland. This led to a joke that "the South is north, and the North is south" when you're on Lough Foyle.

What is "Norn Iron"?

A fun, informal name that has become popular recently is "Norn Iron." This comes from saying "Northern Ireland" with a strong Belfast accent. Fans of the football team often use this name on banners and when they talk.

Names in Other Languages

In the Irish language, Northern Ireland is Tuaisceart Éireann. Republicans sometimes call it Na Sé Chontae (The Six Counties) or Tuaisceart na hÉireann (The North of Ireland). In Ulster Scots, it's called Norlin Airlann or Northern Ireland.

Should Northern Ireland Be Renamed Ulster?

Unionists often use "Ulster" as another word for Northern Ireland. Sometimes, they even suggest officially changing the name of Northern Ireland to Ulster.

The 1937 "Ulster" Idea

In 1937, the Irish Free State changed its name to "Ireland." This made people in the UK and Northern Ireland wonder if Northern Ireland should also change its name to Ulster.

Discussions Between Governments

British and Northern Irish leaders talked about this name change. The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Lord Craigavon, thought about changing Northern Ireland's name to "Ulster." However, he didn't want to do it if it needed a law from the UK Parliament.

Later, British legal experts said that Northern Ireland couldn't change its name by itself. It would need a law from the UK Parliament. Because of this, the Northern Ireland government decided not to push for the name change at that time.

Discussions in Parliament

In 1937, members of the Parliament of Northern Ireland also discussed the name change. Some MPs asked if the government was planning to rename Northern Ireland. The Minister of Finance said that it had been discussed but no final decision was made.

Some politicians felt that the name "Ulster" couldn't be used without changing a key law from 1920. This law could only be changed by the UK Parliament. The Attorney General for Northern Ireland, Sir Anthony Babbington, had suggested the change. He felt "Northern Ireland" was a "cumbersome name" and that changing it to "Ulster" was important.

The 1949 "Ulster" Idea

In 1948, Ireland decided to leave the British Commonwealth and become a republic. This led to more discussions about Northern Ireland's name.

Why the Name Change Was Considered

A group of UK officials suggested changing Northern Ireland's name to Ulster. They thought "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ulster" sounded better. The Northern Ireland government also formally asked for the change. They felt that if Ireland was now called the "Republic of Ireland," then "Northern Ireland" might suggest it should be part of the new republic.

Why the Name Change Didn't Happen

However, there were arguments against the change. The UK's representative in Dublin thought it would cause more anti-British feelings in Ireland. It was also thought that it might make it harder to get other countries to agree on the King's new title.

During a meeting in January 1949, the UK Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, discussed this with Northern Ireland leaders. He decided to recommend that the name should NOT be changed to Ulster. The Northern Ireland leaders agreed not to push for the change. They were more concerned that the UK government shouldn't formally accept Ireland's claim to the name "Ireland" in a way that would harm Northern Ireland's position.

The UK government decided to make it clear that "Republic of Ireland" only referred to the twenty-six counties. They would continue to use "Northern Ireland" for the North. This solution satisfied the Northern Ireland leaders.

The idea of changing the name to Ulster also received protests from some politicians. Anthony Mulvey, a Nationalist MP, sent a telegram to Prime Minister Attlee, saying it would be "a calculated affront to the Irish nation."

In the end, the name "Northern Ireland" was kept.