What does the phrase "North of Ireland" mean?

Question

Is it a way of saying "Northern Ireland" without recognising it politically, or is it a geographical term meaning places like Donegal as well?

Sorry for being a bit dozy.

Answer 1

How odd - I would think it would mean say, over by the hebrides/Scotland, as that is just to the North...but they may be just coming up with another confusing phrase to be used on newscasts.

Answer 2

To me the North of Ireland is Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal.

Answer 3

yea,theres still snakes in northern ireland...(British).sorry i have friends that are irish and they hate the britins for trying to take over ireland.

Answer 4

the north of ireland would suggest your are talking about the northern part of the island of ireland, including counties from both the republic and the north) whereas nothern ireland refers to the specific country.

Answer 5

well if im on holidays abroad and someone asks me where im from i say ireland, then when they ask whereabouts i say the north. By sayin that i mean northern ireland.

So, i would say its a way of without recognising it politically. thats my opinion

Answer 6

The North of Ireland, isnt another way of callin Northern Ireland.

its just the way people in 'the south of ireland' (the republic) call northern ireland, and donegal, plus the rest of ulster.

the north of ireland and northern ireland are phrases that alot of people get mixed up with, its like, the british call londonderry londonderry or slash city

and the irish nationalist, republicans, and other anti loyalist peoples call it Free derry; i call it free derry because im republican.

also, its like saying the north of britain, but it dosent include scotland.

i hope this provides useful in some way

:D

Answer 7

You're essentially right...it has its basis in that the Irish Republican position doesn't recognize the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921-22, by which Ireland was partitioned into the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. Therefore the Six Counties (another usage with a similar connotation) are still part of Ireland.

I'm American, but I am familiar with Irish history, having made a study of it myself for some years. I usually say "the North of Ireland" or "the Six Counties" when I refer to Northern Ireland, not because I dispute that they are British; they are, and have been for 206 years. But I hope for eventual reunification, when a majority of people on both sides of the border are ready for it to happen peacefully. My choice of expression is only meant as expressing that wish, with no rancor intended toward the U.K.