to wish people would use the correct name for my country?

[Buttercup2926]

I love living in the UK but I do wish people were better educated about the country right next door. Particularly its name.

The Constitution of Ireland sets out that there are two official names for the country, Ireland and Éire. Éire should only be used when speaking in the Irish language. Therefore it is correct for people in the UK to say Ireland when talking about that fab country next door!

Northern Ireland is a seperate place and is part of the UK.

Republic of Ireland is a description as opposed to a name. For political reasons FIFA forces the football team to use this name.

The term 'Southern Ireland' is very offensive and should not be used ever. It has strong historical connotations and was used by the English government as a way to avoid recognising the independence of Ireland. I understand that people genuinely do not know this and don't always mean to be offensive as so many people in England use it so casually.

I often see on here people referring to Irish accents and sayings as 'regional'. This is incorrect, Ireland is not a region of the UK no more than France or Spain are.

My point was they are two different countries. Connected and on the same landmass but two different countries.

For those who say southern Ireland how do you refer to Donegal?

Donegal is North Fermanagh.

To say Eire should only be used when speaking in the Irish language seems a bit precious to me since I say Eire thinking I am being all-inclusive and that it is preferable to 'Southern Ireland' which is what I was 'taught' originally being English.

The north of Ulster of Ireland not saying no west Derry.

Actually don't tell anyone, but I do have an interest in the recent religious and human rights changes in Ireland and a great deal of admiration for those leading it.

However, the idea that everyone should be watching Ireland closely and taking sides is self centered. Lots of people round the world go whole days without thinking about Ireland. Just as I'm sure many Irish people get through the day without considering the price of bread in Angola.

You wouldn't say Southern Great Britain meaning England and Northern Great Britain meaning Scotland or Western Great Britain meaning Wales.

They have names so not the same. They should have named Northern Ireland something unique.

Not that anyone is arguing that Ireland must be called Southern Ireland anyway. 'I' don't even call it Southern Ireland. I just admitted I might have occasionally said "no! not Northern Ireland! Southern" to clear up a misunderstanding.

BackOnlyBriefly As requested I thought about your points.

1. 'I' didn't invade Ireland.

Did you really think I meant you personally when I used the word "you"? Really? How strange.

2. Ireland is not under the control of the UK nor is it a matter for UK voters to intervene in their business. What Ireland chooses to do is none of my business. Is that clearer for you?

You seem to be confused, we are discussing the correct names for countries. Not who controls them.

Of course Ireland has regional accents.

Someone from Belfast has a different accent to someone from Cork for instance.

Really OP, if this Ireland thing is your problem you live a charmed life.

I swayed for a rename of Hibernia on another thread and I stand by that. Northern Ireland and Hibernia.

Can I say Eire if I'm speaking in welsh (being a celtic language and all) or should I stick with Iwerddon.

I have no idea what Iwerddon means properly so it could be the wrong work.

off to google Eire in welsh

Maryz - those of us who are a certain age are used to Eire becaue from memory it was on all those stamps I collected. And very exotic they seemed too until my mother popped my bubble and explained it was Ireland

How did I miss this thread!

Oh I know the difference WTFlike, but clearly you were getting muddled.

If you're going to be so rude as to invade a country and marginalise it's people for hundreds of years, you could at least refer to the bit you didn't steal by it's correct name.

See how you were mixing up the country which did the invading and the person (me) who was discussing the name.

I'm not terribly interested in Jersey and thats way closer to me than ireland and frankly the weather is better. But I have friends in Ireland so I maintain an interest and I can understand their facebook posts.

Cymru

Ananda Ireland has regional accents. Northern Ireland has regional accents. Of course two different countries would sound different to one another. (Belfast and Cork).

And I certainly don't suggest you take sides.

Lol at that - if it wasn't so tragic....

Wish those factions in N.I. would take that to heart.

Ewe (like female sheep) - wher - th (hard "th" like This not Thorn)- on

Easy really

Maryz you are not really baffled. No one above the age of about 8 would fail to see that the names are ambiguous if one is shortened.

Still if you can promise me that no one, not one person ever, will ever say 'Ireland' when they mean "Northern Ireland' then the ambiguity won't be a source of confusion.

Can you promise that?

So... Youth?