To point out that Ireland is a separate country?

[DrMantisToboggan]

Just that.

Ireland is a sovereign state, not part of the U.K. It hasn’t been part of the U.K. since 1922.

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. It’s not part of Great Britain though.

Some people refer to Ireland as the Republic of Ireland, partly to differentiate it from Northern Ireland, but the legal name of the state is Ireland.

While I’m at it, the term “British Isles” is controversial and the product of colonialist geography (geography is not a value-free discipline obviously). The British Gov itself apparently has internal guidance not to use it. In joint documents the British and Irish Govs use the euphemistic phrase “these islands”, and other options include Western Atlantic Archipelago or Islands Of the North Atlantic.

There’s no such country as “Southern Ireland”. And “Eire” is also incorrect, unless you’re in the habit of referring to Germany as Deutschland or Spain as España.

Re Éire - I have occasionally used it in the past thinking I was being respectful. I won't any more.

Fishesaplenty I refer you to Article 4 of the Irish Constitution which states that the name of the state is Ireland (and which was not superseded or amended by the 1948 Republic of Ireland Act)

People use geographical references when referring to parts of the British Isles all the time. The Eastern Region, the North of Scotland, the West Country, The South East, you name it. Force of habit. That's why they say Southern Ireland - it's to distinguish it from Northern Ireland -geographically. They don't mean to cause offence by it.

UrgentScurryfunge is right about the way geography is taught these days, too. The children are no longer given facts and told to remember them. We had charts and lists of explorers on the wall with when and where they went. Lists of counties, countries, continents, capital cities, flags, rivers, lakes and waterfalls, mountain ranges, map symbols, all the different types of rock and how they were formed. The lot. We were expected to learn them off by heart.

Doesn't happen any more. Appalling, really.

“Southern Ireland” is geographically incorrect, since it contains the northernmost part of Ireland - Donegal.

I've always felt Northern Ireland and Eire were reasonable ways to refer to those. When I am referring to my ancestry I talk of "these islands" - everyone is from Scotland/Ireland or England as far as we can work out with a lot of Irish (from both north and south of the border who came over here when no part of Ireland was independent - so they were not technically emigrating.

blacksax, one good bit about common entrance work which prep schools do in the UK private schools is they have to learn things like "global locations" off by heart.

That's why they say Southern Ireland - it's to distinguish it from Northern Ireland -geographically. They don't mean to cause offence by it.

No-one said anyone is trying to cause offence, just that they are being inaccurate, that’s what this thread is about, addressing the confusion. If you look at a map of Ireland you will see why Southern Ireland doesn’t apply in the context it is being used.

If "they say" Southern Ireland, "they" are idiots.

“Southern Ireland” is geographically incorrect, since it contains the northernmost part of Ireland - Donegal.

So how you do square that when some elected MPs in N.Ireland, MEPs, MLA and TD refer to N.Ireland as the 'North' of Ireland.

If they can describe NI that way then how is it not legitimate to call the ROI, Southern Ireland?

People say Southern Ireland because they don't understand the politics of Ireland and its the opposite of North. Its lazy at best.

Donegal isn't Southern Ireland. Mayo isn't Southern Ireland. Westmeath isn't Southern Ireland.

So how you do square that when some elected MPs in N.Ireland, MEPs, MLA and TD refer to N.Ireland as the 'North' of Ireland.

Well for starters, Northern Ireland is actually in 'The North' of Ireland

People say Southern Ireland because they don't understand the politics of Ireland

So your saying MPs, MEPs, MLA and TD from 'Ireland' don't understand the politics of Ireland?

Well for starters, Northern Ireland is actually in 'The North' of Ireland

And Southern Ireland is actually in 'The South of Ireland'.

So your saying MPs, MEPs, MLA and TD from 'Ireland' don't understand the politics of Ireland?

Do they call it 'Southern Ireland?' I don't know maybe they do.

Like said, I have only ever heard 'Southern Ireland' from English people who have gone on holiday to 'County Mayo'.

How is Donegal 'Southern Ireland'?

I have only ever heard 'Southern Ireland' from English people who have gone on holiday

I guess you haven't lived in N.Ireland for very long then. Because that is how a lot of N.Irelanders describe it.

*How is Donegal 'Southern Ireland'?

The northern most point of Donegal is further North than N.Ireland. So how is N.Ireland the North of Ireland if it is further South that parts of Ireland?

You cant have it both ways either N.Ireland is the North of Ireland and ROI is the south or its not that simple and the words are incorrect.

You cant have it both ways either N.Ireland is the North of Ireland and ROI is the south or its not that simple and the words are incorrect.

It’s not even clear what you’re arguing at this point . Have you confused yourself (again)?

I don’t think anyone here has stated that “the North of Ireland” or “the South of Ireland” are the appropriate names for the two parts of the island. On the contrary, most posters are arguing for the correct terms to be used.

I don’t think anyone here has stated that “the North of Ireland” or “the South of Ireland” are the appropriate names for the two parts of the island

I guess you didn't read my posts then because I was asking if it was ok for elected MPs in N.Ireland, MEPs, MLA and TD refer to N.Ireland as the 'North of Ireland'.

I guess you haven't lived in N.Ireland for very long then. Because that is how a lot of N.Irelanders describe it.

I’ve lived in NI all my life and I’ve never ever heard anyone from here say “Southern Ireland”. I’ve heard people say they’re going “down south” when they are, in fact, heading geographically south and crossing the border for their holidays. I’ve more commonly heard people say they’re going to Wexford, cork, Sligo, Donegal. Never heard an NI person saying they’re going to Southern Ireland.

So how is N.Ireland the North of Ireland if it is further South that parts of Ireland?

You seem to be having trouble reading. The poster said “Well for starters, Northern Ireland is actually in 'The North' of Ireland”

Which it is, absolutely in the north of Ireland.

Newsflash: politicians can get things wrong too! Sometimes they even use inaccurate phrases deliberately in order to make political points! Watch your head doesn’t explode, now...

Oh and I’ve lived and studied in NI, am married to a NI Protestant from a unionist background, and have never heard anyone from there use the phrase “Southern Ireland”. They tend to say “the south”, “down south”, or “the Republic”.

How long have you lived in NI, then, Walkingdeadfangirl?

Newsflash: politicians can get things wrong too

Only in this case its politicians deliberately calling N.I. the North of Ireland, and its residents, people of the North to further a political agenda. And while they continue to do that I think its legitimate to use the same language for the South of Ireland.

FYI I was indeed born and raised in N.Ireland with family on both sides of the border, and we always did and still do call it Southern Ireland/The South (casually) and ROI more formally. And I have never heard anyone in Dublin or Athlone complain.

So yes I take your technical point about terminology but that doesn't make people wrong for using words more loosely. And remember its politicians who decide what the correct technical terminology is.

You call donegal Southern Ireland? If you were Heading to Donegal or Sligo you would say Southern Ireland?

Only in this case its politicians deliberately calling N.I. the North of Ireland, and its residents, people of the North to further a political agenda. And while they continue to do that I think its legitimate to use the same language for the South of Ireland.

Ah so you want to do it in a “ya boo, up yours” sort of way? Gotcha.

Can you say Cork is located in 'Southern Ireland ' !