Derry or Londonderry?

[TigerOnTour]

How controversial would it be if I used the wrong name and what is this city referred to in the North of Northern Ireland? The internet says that most unionists call it Londonderry and most nationalists call it Derry. Is this still accurate today? If you live there or nearby, what do you call it?

Traditionally unionists would say londonderry and nationalists Derry.

But these days plenty of unionists call
it Derry because it’s just easier and quicker to say. So if you’re not sure go with Derry as on a pure probability basis you are less likely to offend.

Well, I've learned something new.
A few people have said now they write Derry, Co Londonderry in addresses.

I'm in ROI and never realised the county was referred to as Londonderry too. I've always known it as Co Derry. Do most in NI say Co Londonderry or is this split too?

I've heard people saying North of Ireland for Northern Ireland before. I knew they were making a point re the name but it seems from reading this thread that it can piss people off too, from both communities, more than I realised. I don't quite get why this is. Can someone please explain? I feel very stupid now!😅

Derry City in the County of Londonderry.

Does nobody say Derry City, Co Derry then?
(Though I don't think you'd really need both on an address? I'd usually write Galway City rather than Galway, Co Galway for example.)

Sorry @Cornflakericekrispie I meant to quote you.

North of Ireland instead of NI is a refusal to acknowledge the existence of NI, as in the six counties. Obviously that's going to piss off unionists, as they do live in the UK not Ireland (the country). Nationalists may wish Ireland was a 32 county country, but they know it isn't and would typically use NI.

North of Ireland is seen as quite antagonistic by most, regardless of their views, and most people these days are pretty tolerant and understand the views of those in the other community even if they don't share them. I'm Catholic from Dublin and DH is NI Catholic, but I'd be backing away from someone who said it as I wouldn't expect them to be particularly tolerant and like most these days I have plenty of friends in both communities.

Someone I had literally just met for the first time that day once corrected me when I said NI. I explained that I don't like the phrase "North of Ireland" as someone from the republic, because I felt it undermines Ireland's independence from the UK. She didn't like me much.

Thanks so much @WickieRoy.
I get it now. I was confused earlier when you said it got your back up as a nationalist but I understand now.

I've heard unionists use Ulster for NI too. Do others find it annoying/controversial like North of Ireland? Is it another term best avoided by visitors?

(I do know Ulster has 9 counties really in case anyone's wondering )

It's Derry wherever you are

If you're visiting you will see the London part defaced on most signs

Derry.

Mum was Irish.

You are unlikely to cause offence to most by calling it Derry

You are likely to cause offence/confusion by calling Northern Ireland "North of Ireland". Whether people like it or not it is a devolved state within Great Britain. There has been a peace process and both NI and ROI populations understand and signed up to what would be involved in any changes to that.

Ulster is one of the 4 regional provinces of the island of Ireland and sport [rugby, Irish GAA] is played on provincial lines so I'd use Ulster in that context or as an alternative to the "north of Ireland"

And the north of Ireland is not the same as North of Ireland I take it @TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams?

the north of Ireland = Ulster the province (9 counties)

North of Ireland(v nationalist) = Ulster (v unionist) = Northern Ireland

Is that it or have I got it wrong?

I did unfortunately upset someone from NI once by saying the wrong thing so don't want a repeat of that.

No one that I know in the ROI calls is the North of Ireland. It is Northern Ireland, and recognised as separate to the Republic.

We just happen to share the same landmass, just like Scotland, Wales and England.

I think it is generally better to go with the right legal terms and leave the locals to pick fights over semantics. Using terms like Ulster [except in the context of sporting teams is probably best avoided; "the six counties" is archaic. Use Northern Ireland - is one of the 4 countries of the UK and is legally correct.

North of Ireland is simply a bit vague and what constitutes "north" depends on who you are talking to. If a born and bred Dubliner, then anywhere north of Co Meath [right next door] is possibly considered "north"😂

I live in the UK originally from Ireland. It does p*ss me off when people call ROI, "Southern Ireland". You get a few random "Eire's" too.

First world problems, I don't intend to become one of the professionally offended and I wouldn't worry if you are doing your best. It can be complicated and hard to know if you are talking to someone who will take offence.

@Sparrowball
No, I know, I'm from ROI myself. I know what to say here. It's NI sensitivities I'm concerned about. Messed up before . I referred to NI as 'another country' in passing and someone was quite unhappy about that. Another person would be fine about it probably but I just didn't think of the politics involved.

Tbh I don't think a lot of NI nationalists realise just how many from ROI really do see NI as another country.

@TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams
I'm pretty far south and we just say 'up the country' here to vaguely refer to pretty much anywhere 😂

@WickieRoy
I think at the time I was referring more to the administration, different healthcare, currency etc.
I don't completely see it as a different country, especially when watching gaa etc, but it's run as a different country. Really not explaining myself well here!!

the north of Ireland = Ulster the province (9 counties)

3 of which are in the ROI, just for lolz (and that took me 40 years to learn).

I suspect linguistic economy will pave the way. "Derry" is way easier to say than "Londonderry".

I get what you're saying, the ROI and NI are 2 separate states in the island of Ireland.

It’s Derry unless you are Protestant in the North

The irony

British MN ers posting about the right way to refer to DERRY

Seen it all now

Lol.

I used to work with a guy who thought people said Derry because they were lazy and couldn't be arsed to say Londonderry.

I'm Irish if that makes ot any less ironic for you.

Where exactly is the irony though?

Hi op. This very much depends on who you speak to. Many people don't overly care and wouldn't correct someone but others will. I've been "corrected" a number of times not that I give a hoot one way or the other. I'm from there and both names are used regularly. I know people who are trying to be pc will sometimes say Derry/Londonderry or if you want to avoid it altogether you could say walled City or maiden City but that would be weirder. I think it depends on the context really. If you're going for a holiday for the weekend who cares. If you're there in a work capacity I'd be more inclined to go neutral and say both.

Well, it's a city in the UK, so you'd expect British people to have a view on what to call it.

If they care, of course.

Derry

What?! Please someone explain this to me- I'm lost now. Always thought ulster=NI= 6 counties

Derry, though.