Editing Northern Ireland (section)

==Politics==
{{main|Politics of Northern Ireland}}

===Background===
[[File:Political Parties of Northern Ireland.png|thumb|upright=2|center|A flowchart illustrating all the political parties that have existed throughout the history of Northern Ireland and leading up to its formation (covering 1889 to 2020)]]The main political divide in Northern Ireland is between unionists, who wish to see Northern Ireland continue as part of the United Kingdom, and nationalists, who wish to see Northern Ireland unified with the Republic of Ireland, independent from the United Kingdom. These two opposing views are linked to deeper cultural divisions. Unionists are predominantly [[Ulster Protestant]], descendants of mainly [[Scottish people|Scottish]], English, and [[Huguenot]] settlers as well as [[Gaels]] who converted to one of the Protestant denominations. Nationalists are overwhelmingly Catholic and descend from the population predating the settlement, with a minority from the [[Scottish Highlands]] as well as some converts from Protestantism. Discrimination against nationalists under the [[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)|Stormont]] government (1921–1972) gave rise to the [[Northern Ireland civil rights movement|civil rights movement]] in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/discrimination/whyte.htm |title=Professor John H. Whyte paper on discrimination in Northern Ireland |publisher=Cain.ulst.ac.uk |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-date=14 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514131114/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/discrimination/whyte.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

While some unionists argue that discrimination was not just due to religious or political bigotry, but also the result of more complex socio-economic, socio-political and geographical factors,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/discrimination/sum.htm |title=CAIN website key issues discrimination summary |publisher=Cain.ulst.ac.uk |date=5 October 1968 |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-date=29 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729075842/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/discrimination/sum.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> its existence, and the manner in which nationalist anger at it was handled, were a major contributing factor to the Troubles. The political unrest went through its most violent phase between 1968 and 1994.<ref>Lord Scarman, "Violence and Civil Disturbances in Northern Ireland in 1969: Report of Tribunal of Inquiry" Belfast: HMSO, Cmd&nbsp;566 (known as the ''Scarman Report'').</ref>

[[File:Belfast City Centre.jpg|thumb|Mixture of new and historic buildings in [[Belfast]]]]
In 2007, 36% of the population defined themselves as unionist, 24% as nationalist, and 40% defined themselves as neither.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2007/Political_Attitudes/UNINATID.html |title=Ark survey, 2007. Answer to the question "Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a unionist, a nationalist or neither?" |publisher=Ark.ac.uk |date=17 May 2007 |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610044337/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2007/Political_Attitudes/UNINATID.html |url-status=live}}</ref> According to a 2015 opinion poll, 70% express a long-term preference of the maintenance of Northern Ireland's membership of the United Kingdom (either [[Direct rule over Northern Ireland|directly ruled]] or with [[Devolution|devolved government]]), while 14% express a preference for membership of a united Ireland.<ref>[http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2015/Political_Attitudes/NIRELND2.html Answers to the question "Do you think the long-term policy for Northern Ireland should be for it (one of the following)] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703003751/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2015/Political_Attitudes/NIRELND2.html |date=3 July 2016 }}"</ref> This discrepancy can be explained by the overwhelming preference among Protestants to remain a part of the UK (93%), while Catholic preferences are spread across several solutions to the constitutional question including remaining a part of the UK (47%), a united Ireland (32%), Northern Ireland becoming an independent state (4%), and those who "don't know" (16%).<ref>[http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2015/Political_Attitudes/NIRELND2.html NILT survey, 2015] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703003751/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2015/Political_Attitudes/NIRELND2.html |date=3 July 2016}}. Answers to the question "Do you think the long-term policy for Northern Ireland should be for it to [one of the following"], ark.ac.uk; accessed 27 May 2015.</ref>

Official voting figures, which reflect views on the "national question" along with issues of the candidate, geography, personal loyalty, and historic voting patterns, show 54% of Northern Ireland voters vote for unionist parties, 42% vote for nationalist parties, and 4% vote "other". Opinion polls consistently show that the election results are not necessarily an indication of the electorate's stance regarding the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. Most of the population of Northern Ireland is at least nominally Christian, mostly Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations. Many voters (regardless of religious affiliation) are attracted to unionism's [[National conservatism|conservative]] policies, while other voters are instead attracted to the traditionally leftist Sinn Féin and SDLP and their respective party platforms for [[democratic socialism]] and [[social democracy]].<ref name="autogenerated2009">{{cite web |url=http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2009/Political_Attitudes/NIRELND2.html |title=NI Life and Times Survey – 2009: NIRELND2 |publisher=Ark.ac.uk |year=2009 |access-date=13 July 2010 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010085431/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2009/Political_Attitudes/NIRELND2.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

For the most part, Protestants feel a strong connection with Great Britain and wish for Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom. Many Catholics however, generally aspire to a United Ireland or are less certain about how to solve the constitutional question. Catholics have a slight majority in Northern Ireland, according to the latest Northern Ireland census. The make-up of the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] reflects the appeals of the various parties within the population. Of the 90&nbsp;[[Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland)|Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)]], 37 are unionists and 35 are nationalists (the remaining 18 are classified as "other").<ref name="results maps charts">{{Cite news |date=8 May 2022 |title=NI election results 2022: The assembly poll in maps and charts |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-61363246 |access-date=9 May 2022 |archive-date=8 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508172246/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-61363246 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 1998 [[Good Friday Agreement]] acts as a ''de facto'' [[constitution]] for Northern Ireland. [[Local government in Northern Ireland]] since 2015 has been divided between 11 councils with limited responsibilities.<ref name="Devenport">{{Cite news |last=Devenport |first=Mark |date=18 November 2005 |title=NI local government set for shake-up |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4449092.stm |access-date=15 November 2008}}</ref> The [[First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland]] are the joint heads of government of Northern Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Stormont: Why were NI leaders given unequal job titles? |work=BBC News |date=15 May 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-61393736 | access-date=2 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202190001/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-61393736 |archive-date=2 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern Ireland Executive: Ministerial Code |date=28 September 2015 |url=https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/topics/your-executive/ministerial-code | access-date=2 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202191115/https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/topics/your-executive/ministerial-code |archive-date=2 February 2024}}</ref>

===Governance===
{{Main|Elections in Northern Ireland|Law of Northern Ireland}}
[[File:Stormont (49321598268).jpg|thumb|[[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)|Parliament Buildings]] at [[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)|Stormont]], [[Belfast]], seat of the assembly]]
Since 1998, Northern Ireland has had [[devolution|devolved]] government within the United Kingdom, presided over by the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] and a cross-community government (the [[Northern Ireland Executive]]). The UK Government and UK Parliament are responsible for [[reserved and excepted matters]]. Reserved matters comprise listed policy areas (such as [[civil aviation]], [[units of measurement]], and [[human genetics]]) that Parliament may devolve to the Assembly some time in the future. Excepted matters (such as [[international relations]], taxation and elections) are never expected to be considered for devolution. On all other governmental matters, the Executive together with the 90-member Assembly may legislate for and govern Northern Ireland. Devolution in Northern Ireland is dependent upon participation by members of the Northern Ireland executive in the [[North/South Ministerial Council]], which coordinates areas of cooperation (such as agriculture, education, and health) between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Additionally, "in recognition of the Irish Government's special interest in Northern Ireland", the [[Government of Ireland]] and [[Government of the United Kingdom]] co-operate closely on non-devolved matters through the [[British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference]].

Elections to the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] are by [[single transferable vote]] with five Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) elected from each of 18 [[List of parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland|parliamentary constituencies]]. In addition, eighteen representatives (Members of Parliament, MPs) are elected to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|lower house of the UK parliament]] from the same constituencies using the [[First-past-the-post voting|first-past-the-post]] system. However, not all of those elected take their seats. Sinn Féin MPs, currently seven, refuse to take the oath to serve the King that is required before MPs are allowed to take their seats. In addition, the upper house of the UK parliament, the [[House of Lords]], currently has some 25 appointed [[List of Northern Ireland members of the House of Lords|members from Northern Ireland]].

[[File:Belfast City Hall 2.jpg|thumb|[[Belfast City Hall]], Northern Ireland]]
The [[Northern Ireland Office]] represents the UK Government in Northern Ireland on reserved matters and represents Northern Ireland's interests within the UK Government. Additionally, the Republic's government also has the right to "put forward views and proposals" on non-devolved matters about Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Office is led by the [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]], who sits in the [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom]].

<!-- Commented out: [[File:StormontChamber.JPG|thumb|right|[[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)|Assembly Chamber]] at [[Parliament Buildings (Northern Ireland)|Stormont]].]] -->
Northern Ireland is a distinct legal [[jurisdiction]], separate from the two other jurisdictions in the United Kingdom ([[English law|England and Wales]], and [[Scots law|Scotland]]). Northern Ireland law developed from Irish law that existed before the [[partition of Ireland]] in 1921. Northern Ireland is a [[common law]] jurisdiction and its common law is similar to that in England and Wales. However, there are important differences in law and procedure between Northern Ireland and England and Wales. The body of [[Statutory law|statute law]] affecting Northern Ireland reflects the history of Northern Ireland, including Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]], the former [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] and the [[Parliament of Ireland]], along with some Acts of the [[Parliament of England]] and of the [[Parliament of Great Britain]] that were extended to Ireland under [[Poynings' Law (confirmation of English statutes)|Poynings' Law]] between 1494 and 1782.

===Descriptions===
[[File:Downhill Northern Ireland.jpg|thumb|Northern Ireland coast]]
There is no generally accepted term to describe what Northern Ireland is. It has been described as a country, province, region, and other terms officially, by the press, and in common speech. The choice of term can be controversial and can reveal one's political preferences.<ref name="interpretingNI"/> This has been noted as a problem by several writers on Northern Ireland, with no generally recommended solution.<ref name="alphabeticalNI"/><ref name="interpretingNI"/><ref name="placeApart"/>

[[ISO 3166-2:GB]] defines Northern Ireland as a province.<ref name="ISO"/> The UK's submission to the 2007 [[United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names]] defines the UK as being made up of two countries (England and Scotland), one [[principality]] (Wales) and one province (Northern Ireland).<ref>{{citation |author=United Kingdom |title=Report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |year=2007 |work=Report by Governments on the Situation in their Countries on the Progress Made in the Standardization of Geographical Names Since the Eight Conferences |publisher=United Nations |location=New York |url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/9th-UNCSGN-Docs/E-CONF-98-48-Add1.pdf |access-date=29 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327044249/http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/9th-UNCSGN-Docs/E-CONF-98-48-Add1.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009}}</ref> However, this term can be controversial, particularly for nationalists for whom the title province is properly reserved for the traditional province of Ulster, of which Northern Ireland comprises six out of nine counties.<ref name="Guardian style guide">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-observer-style-guide-n |title=The Guardian and Observer style guide |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=17 March 2021 |website=The Guardian |publisher= |access-date=15 April 2024 |quote=Northern Ireland: Can be referred to as a country or region, but avoid referring to it as a province or as Ulster.}}</ref><ref name="interpretingNI"/><ref name="dictPolSci"/> Some authors have described the meaning of this term as being equivocal: referring to Northern Ireland as being a province both of the United Kingdom and the traditional country of Ireland.<ref name="unionistPolitics"/>

The UK [[Office for National Statistics]] and the website of the Office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom describe the United Kingdom as being made up of four countries, one of these being Northern Ireland.<ref name="ONS Geography Guide" /><ref name=Number10CountriesWithinACountry/> Some newspaper style guides also consider country as an acceptable term for Northern Ireland.<ref name="Guardian style guide"/> However, some authors reject the term.<ref name="dictPolSci">{{Citation |title=Global Encyclopedia of Political Geography |year=2009}}</ref><ref name="alphabeticalNI"/><ref name="placeApart"/><ref name="unionistPolitics">{{Citation |first=F. |last=Cochrane |title=Unionist Politics and the Politics of Unionism Since the Anglo-Irish Agreement |year=2001 |publisher=Cork University Press |place=Cork}}</ref>

"Region" has also been used by UK government agencies<ref>{{Citation |author=David Varney December |title=Review of Tax Policy in Northern Ireland |year=2007 |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |place=London}}</ref> and newspapers.<ref name="Guardian style guide" /> Some authors choose this word but note that it is "unsatisfactory".<ref name="interpretingNI"/><ref name="placeApart"/> Northern Ireland can also be simply described as "part of the UK", including by the UK government offices.<ref name=Number10CountriesWithinACountry>{{cite web |url=http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page823 |title=countries within a country |year=2003 |publisher=The official site of the Prime Minister's Office |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080909013512/http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page823 |archive-date=9 September 2008}}</ref>

===Alternative names===
{{Main|Alternative names for Northern Ireland}}

[[File:JAFFE FOUNTAIN OUTSIDE VICTORIA SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE -A FAVOURITE OF MINE- REF-104998 (17841282323).jpg|thumb|[[Victoria Square Shopping Centre]] in Belfast]]
Many people inside and outside Northern Ireland use other names for Northern Ireland, depending on their point of view. Disagreement on names, and the reading of political symbolism into the use or non-use of a word, also attaches itself to some urban centres. The most notable example is whether Northern Ireland's second-largest city should be called [[Derry-Londonderry name dispute|"Derry" or "Londonderry"]].

Choice of language and [[nomenclature]] in Northern Ireland often reveals the cultural, ethnic, and religious identity of the speaker. Those who do not belong to any group but lean towards one side often tend to use the language of that group. Supporters of unionism in the British media (notably ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' and the ''[[Daily Express]]'') regularly call Northern Ireland "Ulster".<ref>{{cite news |last=Peterkin |first=Tom |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1509280/IRA-fuel-smuggling-drove-oil-giants-to-abandon-Ulster.html |title=Example of Daily Telegraph use of "Ulster" in text of an article, having used "Northern Ireland" in the opening paragraph |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=31 January 2006 |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-date=1 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501041920/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1509280/IRA-fuel-smuggling-drove-oil-giants-to-abandon-Ulster.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Many media outlets in the Republic use "North of Ireland" (or simply "the North"),<ref name=Abortion-in-the-North-of-Ireland/><ref name=Calls-for-More-Supports-in_Norths-Schools/><ref name=RTE-does-not-stop-people-in-the-North/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30741054.html |title='Abortion drone' delivers pills to the North from Ireland |work=[[Irish Examiner]] |date=21 June 2016 |access-date=21 June 2016 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913225532/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30741054.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Ryan |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/varadkar-considers-travel-ban-but-wont-stop-northsouth-travel-39048435.html |title=Varadkar considers travel ban but won't stop North/South travel |work=Irish Independent |date=21 June 2016 |access-date=21 June 2016 |archive-date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317171705/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/varadkar-considers-travel-ban-but-wont-stop-northsouth-travel-39048435.html |url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the "Six Counties".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.todayfm.com/uncategorized/gaa-confirm-500-allow-allianz-league-matches-six-counties-1200507 |title=GAA confirm 500 allowed into Allianz League matches in six counties |publisher=[[Today FM]] |first=Stephen |last=Doyle |date=25 May 2021 |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604004353/https://www.todayfm.com/uncategorized/gaa-confirm-500-allow-allianz-league-matches-six-counties-1200507 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' has also used "the North".<ref>{{cite news |first1=Andrew |last1=Testa |first2=Megan |last2=Specia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/world/europe/northern-ireland-brexit-border.html |title=Example of New York Times use of "the North" in text of an article (fifth paragraph), having used "Northern Ireland" earlier |work=The New York Times |date=15 October 2018 |access-date=15 October 2018 |archive-date=15 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015181509/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/world/europe/northern-ireland-brexit-border.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Government and cultural organisations in Northern Ireland often use the word "Ulster" in their title; for example, the [[University of Ulster]], the [[Ulster Museum]], the [[Ulster Orchestra]], and [[BBC Radio Ulster]].

Although some news bulletins since the 1990s have opted to avoid all contentious terms and use the official name, Northern Ireland, the term "the North" remains commonly used by broadcast media in the Republic.<ref name=Abortion-in-the-North-of-Ireland>{{cite news |url=https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-moncrieff/abortion-north-ireland |title=Abortion in the North of Ireland: Grainne Teggart campaigns manager for Amnesty International NI joins Sean to discuss the problems around abortion in the North of Ireland |publisher=[[Newstalk]] |date=3 June 2020 |access-date=3 June 2020 |archive-date=28 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828040106/https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-moncrieff/abortion-north-ireland |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Calls-for-More-Supports-in_Norths-Schools>{{cite news |url=https://www.highlandradio.com/2020/09/10/calls-for-more-supports-in-norths-schools-after-covid-cases/ |title=Calls for more supports in North's schools after Covid cases |publisher=Highland Radio |date=10 September 2020 |access-date=10 September 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913230345/https://www.highlandradio.com/2020/09/10/calls-for-more-supports-in-norths-schools-after-covid-cases/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=RTE-does-not-stop-people-in-the-North>{{cite news |first=John |last=Monaghan |url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2018/07/14/news/rte-head-of-sport-says-broadcaster-does-not-stop-people-in-the-north-watching-gaelic-games-1382277/ |title=RTÉ head of sport says broadcaster does not stop people in the north watching gaelic games |work=The Irish News |date=14 July 2018 |access-date=14 July 2018 |quote=RTÉ is a '32-county broadcaster' and 'do not stop people in the north watching gaelic games', its new head of sport has said... Last weekend RTÉ said it dealt with 'dozens' of complaints from frustrated GAA fans across the north who were left unable to watch a live broadcast of the All-Ireland qualifier between Armagh and Roscommon. |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913233641/http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2018/07/14/news/rte-head-of-sport-says-broadcaster-does-not-stop-people-in-the-north-watching-gaelic-games-1382277/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

====Unionist====
* '''Ulster''', strictly speaking, refers to the province of [[Ulster]], of which six of nine historical counties are in Northern Ireland. The term "Ulster" is widely used by unionists and the British press as shorthand for Northern Ireland, and is also favoured by [[Ulster nationalism|Ulster nationalists]].{{efn|Examples of usage of this term include [[Radio Ulster]], [[Ulster Orchestra]] and [[Royal Ulster Constabulary|RUC]]; political parties such as the [[Ulster Unionist Party]]'; paramilitary organisations including the [[Ulster Defence Association]] and [[Ulster Volunteer Force]]; and political campaigns such as "[[Ulster Says No]]" and "[[Save Ulster from Sodomy]]".}} In the past, calls have been made for Northern Ireland's name to be changed to Ulster. This proposal was formally considered by the Government of Northern Ireland in 1937 and by the UK Government in 1949 but no change was made.<ref>Parliamentary Reports of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, Volume 20 (1937) and ''The Times'', 6 January 1949; C.M. 1(49) – UK Cabinet meeting held on 12 January 1949. C.M. 1(49). – See also [[Alternative names for Northern Ireland]]</ref>
* '''The Province''' refers to the historic Irish province of Ulster but today is used by some as shorthand for Northern Ireland. The [[BBC]], in its editorial guidance for ''Reporting the United Kingdom'', states that "the Province" is an appropriate secondary synonym for Northern Ireland, while "Ulster" is not. It also suggests that "people of Northern Ireland" is preferred to "British" or "Irish", and the term "mainland" should be avoided in reporting about Great Britain and Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Editorial Policy, Guidance Note |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/page/guidance-uk-full#style-and-language |access-date=20 April 2012 |date=n.d. |archive-date=3 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303233555/http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/page/guidance-uk-full#style-and-language |url-status=live}} "The term "province" is often used synonymously with Northern Ireland and it is normally appropriate to make secondary references to "the province"."</ref>

====Nationalist====
* '''North of Ireland''' – used to avoid using the name given by the British-enacted Government of Ireland Act 1920.
* '''The Six Counties''' ({{lang|ga|na Sé Chontae}}) – the Republic of Ireland is similarly described as the Twenty-Six Counties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sinnfein.ie/history |title=Sinn Féin usage of "Six Counties" |publisher=[[Sinn Féin]] |date=14 August 1969 |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-date=14 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614042448/http://www.sinnfein.ie/history |url-status=live}}</ref> Some of the users of these terms contend that using the official name of the region would imply acceptance of the legitimacy of the Government of Ireland Act.
* '''The Occupied Six Counties''' – used by some republicans.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Io085Nl0CJQC&pg=PA166 |title=The Long War: The IRA and Sinn Féin |author=Brendan O'Brien |publisher=Syracuse University Press |page=167 |date=1999 |isbn=978-0-815-60597-3 |access-date=22 August 2017 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806232810/https://books.google.com/books?id=Io085Nl0CJQC&pg=PA166 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Republic, whose legitimacy is similarly not recognised by republicans opposed to the Belfast Agreement, is described as the "Free State", referring to the [[Irish Free State]], which gained independence (as a [[Dominion]]) in 1922.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishfreedomcommittee.net/FAQs.htm |title=FAQs – The Irish Freedom Committee™ |publisher=Irish Freedom Committee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051222180049/http://www.irishfreedomcommittee.net/FAQs.htm |date=6 May 2007 |archive-date=22 December 2005 |access-date=16 June 2010}}</ref>
* '''British-Occupied Ireland''' – Similar in tone to the Occupied Six Counties,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PcdvAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA114 |title=Inside the IRA: Dissident Republicans and the War for Legitimacy |author=Andrew Sanders |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |page=114 |date=2011 |isbn=978-0-748-68812-8 |access-date=22 August 2017 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806214948/https://books.google.com/books?id=PcdvAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA114 |url-status=live}}</ref> this term is used by more dogmatic republicans, such as [[Republican Sinn Féin]],<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ukzbp2i3TvgC&pg=PA163 |title=Ruairí Ó Brádaigh: The Life and Politics of an Irish Revolutionary |author=Robert William White |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |page=163 |date=2006 |isbn=978-0-253-34708-4 |access-date=22 August 2017 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806204507/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ukzbp2i3TvgC&pg=PA163 |url-status=live}}</ref> who still hold that the [[Second Dáil]] was the last legitimate government of Ireland and that all governments since have been foreign-imposed usurpations of Irish national self-determination.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ekm2dmSDF_cC&pg=PA174 |title=Terrorism Studies: A Reader |author=John Horgan |publisher=Routledge |page=174 |date=2011 |isbn=978-0-415-45504-6 |access-date=22 August 2017 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806225033/https://books.google.com/books?id=ekm2dmSDF_cC&pg=PA174 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====Other====
* '''Norn Iron''' or "Norniron" – is an informal and affectionate<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/how-much-do-you-know-about-norn-iron How much do you know about 'Norn Iron'?] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101002648/https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/how-much-do-you-know-about-norn-iron |date=1 November 2015 }},
 British Embassy Ashgabat</ref> local nickname used to refer to Northern Ireland, derived from the pronunciation of the words "Northern Ireland" in an exaggerated Ulster accent (particularly one from the greater Belfast area). The phrase is seen as a lighthearted way to refer to Northern Ireland, based as it is on regional pronunciation. It often refers to the [[Northern Ireland national football team]].<ref>{{cite news |title=World Cup qualifiers: 10 talking points from the weekend's action |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/sep/09/world-cup-qualifiers-talking-points |date=9 September 2013 |access-date=9 September 2013 |first1=Daniel |last1=Taylor |first2=Ewan |last2=Murray |first3=David |last3=Hytner |first4=Simon |last4=Burnton |first5=Barry |last5=Glendenning |work=The Guardian |location=UK |archive-date=10 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910074603/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/sep/09/world-cup-qualifiers-talking-points |url-status=live}}</ref>