Tuaisceart Tuaisceart ÉireannÉireann

Northern Ireland, administrative division of the Northern Ireland, administrative division of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ireland, situated in the north-easternsituated in the north-eastern portion of the portion of the island of island of IrelandIreland. . The remaining portion of the island is part of the The remaining portion of the island is part of the Republic of Ireland. Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland constitutes about 17 percent of the Northern Ireland constitutes about 17 percent of the land area of Ireland and has 31 percent of the land area of Ireland and has 31 percent of the island’s population.island’s population. The capitalThe capital of Northern Ireland is of Northern Ireland is BelfastBelfast. . NorthernNorthern Ireland’s populationIreland’s population is deeply is deeply divideddivided along along religiousreligious and and political linespolitical lines. The schism between the . The schism between the Protestant majorityProtestant majority and the and the Roman Catholic minorityRoman Catholic minority extends deep into Northern Ireland’s past and has extends deep into Northern Ireland’s past and has strongly influenced the region’s culture, settlement strongly influenced the region’s culture, settlement patterns, and politicspatterns, and politics

Historical linksHistorical links The whole of Ireland was part of the United The whole of Ireland was part of the United

Kingdom until 1920, as the British governmentKingdom until 1920, as the British government—faced with growing violent resistance——faced with growing violent resistance—offered limited local government to Ireland. offered limited local government to Ireland.

The island was divided into two regions, The island was divided into two regions, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland, both Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland, both under the control of the United Kingdom. Each under the control of the United Kingdom. Each region was granted the right to elect a local region was granted the right to elect a local parliament while maintaining representation in parliament while maintaining representation in the British Parliament. the British Parliament.

When local parliamentary When local parliamentary electionselections were held in were held in 19211921, the southern Irish parliament refused to , the southern Irish parliament refused to recognize British control.recognize British control.

As a resultAs a result, of the , of the originaloriginal 32 counties of Ireland32 counties of Ireland, , the 6 north-easterly counties becamethe 6 north-easterly counties became a British a British province officially known as province officially known as Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland..

The remaining The remaining 26 counties became26 counties became independent independent in 1922 as the Irish Free State (later Eire, and in 1922 as the Irish Free State (later Eire, and subsequently the subsequently the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland). ).

CatholicsCatholics seeking integration with Ireland are seeking integration with Ireland are often referred to as often referred to as republicansrepublicans or or nationalistsnationalists, , while while ProtestantsProtestants who want Northern Ireland to who want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom are often called remain part of the United Kingdom are often called unionistsunionists or or loyalistsloyalists

Political Murals in Northern IrelandPolitical Murals in Northern IrelandMany buildings in the Catholic and Protestant working-class Many buildings in the Catholic and Protestant working-class neighbourhoods of Belfast, feature political neighbourhoods of Belfast, feature political murals.murals.

a mural supporting the republican political party Sinn Fein, left, and one supporting the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a loyalist

paramilitary group, right

From From 1921 to 19721921 to 1972 Northern Ireland had its own  Northern Ireland had its own regionalregional parliamentparliament that exercised considerable that exercised considerable authority over localauthority over local affairsaffairs. .

The Protestant, unionist majority dominated the parliament, The Protestant, unionist majority dominated the parliament, which made the government unpopular with the Catholic, which made the government unpopular with the Catholic, nationalist minority. Northern Ireland experienced a nearly nationalist minority. Northern Ireland experienced a nearly continuous period of violent conflictcontinuous period of violent conflict between these two groups between these two groups from the from the late 1960slate 1960s through the through the mid-1990smid-1990s. .

The violence extended beyond Ireland, as republican The violence extended beyond Ireland, as republican paramilitary groups—in particular the paramilitary groups—in particular the Irish Republican ArmyIrish Republican Army (IRA)—also struck targets in London and elsewhere in (IRA)—also struck targets in London and elsewhere in England. The clashes, bombings, and assassinations in this England. The clashes, bombings, and assassinations in this period were often referred to as “the troubles.” period were often referred to as “the troubles.”

In 1972In 1972 the British government the British government shut downshut down Northern Ireland’s Northern Ireland’s regional parliamentregional parliament and and governed the region directlygoverned the region directly from from LondonLondon. A 1998 accord known as the . A 1998 accord known as the Good Friday AgreementGood Friday Agreement restoredrestored some some powerspowers to a new to a new provincial governmentprovincial government. .

Bloody Sunday in Northern IrelandBloody Sunday in Northern Ireland

The so-called Bloody Sunday incident on January 30, 1972, is one of the most notorious events of the sectarian violence in Northern

Ireland. British troops opened fire on a crowd of civil rights protesters marching in Londonderry/Derry, killing 13 people.

The Protestant community often refers to The Protestant community often refers to Northern Ireland as Northern Ireland as UlsterUlster. Catholics seldom . Catholics seldom use this name. For most Catholics the term use this name. For most Catholics the term UlsterUlster is used only to refer to the historic Irish is used only to refer to the historic Irish province of Ulster, which consisted of the province of Ulster, which consisted of the current six counties and three other counties current six counties and three other counties that are now in the Republic of Ireland. that are now in the Republic of Ireland. Catholics tend to refer to the territory as “the Catholics tend to refer to the territory as “the north of Ireland,” and those of strongly north of Ireland,” and those of strongly nationalist views also use the term “the six nationalist views also use the term “the six counties.” counties.”

LAND AND RESOURCESLAND AND RESOURCES The total area of Northern Ireland is 14,160 sq km, The total area of Northern Ireland is 14,160 sq km,

of which 628 sq kof which 628 sq kmm is inland water. is inland water. Northern Ireland is bounded on the north and Northern Ireland is bounded on the north and

northeast by northeast by the North Channelthe North Channel, on the southeast , on the southeast by by the Irish Seathe Irish Sea, and on the south and west by , and on the south and west by IrelandIreland. The border with Ireland is 360 km long. . The border with Ireland is 360 km long. The region’s coastline consists of wide, sandy The region’s coastline consists of wide, sandy beaches, broken by steep cliffs in the north, beaches, broken by steep cliffs in the north, northeast, and southeast. northeast, and southeast.

Near the northernmost point of Northern Ireland is Near the northernmost point of Northern Ireland is Giant’s CausewayGiant’s Causeway, an unusual formation of basalt , an unusual formation of basalt columns created by the cooling of an ancient lava columns created by the cooling of an ancient lava flow. Rathlin Island and several smaller islands lie flow. Rathlin Island and several smaller islands lie off the northern coast. off the northern coast.

Giant’s CausewayGiant’s Causeway

REGIONSREGIONS

The different regions of Northern Ireland The different regions of Northern Ireland are frequently referred to by the names of are frequently referred to by the names of the province’s six traditional Irish the province’s six traditional Irish counties, even though they are no longer counties, even though they are no longer the units of local government. These arethe units of local government. These are—clockwise from the northeast—Antrim, —clockwise from the northeast—Antrim, Down, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Down, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Londonderry (Derry).Londonderry (Derry).

six traditional Irishsix traditional Irish countiescounties

Hillsborough CastleHillsborough Castle

EnniskillenEnniskillen

Carrickfergus CastleCarrickfergus Castle

Scrabo TowerScrabo Tower

LondonderryLondonderry

NewryNewry

Beaghmore Stone CirclesBeaghmore Stone Circles

Castlewellan Forest ParkCastlewellan Forest Park

Rivers and LakesRivers and Lakes Lough Neagh, in the centre of Northern Ireland, is the Lough Neagh, in the centre of Northern Ireland, is the

largest freshwater lake in the British Isles, with an area of largest freshwater lake in the British Isles, with an area of 396 sq km 396 sq km

All the region’s counties border it except Fermanagh. All the region’s counties border it except Fermanagh. Upper and Lower Lough Erne, in Fermanagh, are the only Upper and Lower Lough Erne, in Fermanagh, are the only other major freshwater lakes. Belfast Lough, Carlingford other major freshwater lakes. Belfast Lough, Carlingford Lough, Strangford Lough, and Lough Foyle are the largest Lough, Strangford Lough, and Lough Foyle are the largest sea inlets. sea inlets.

The major riverThe major river of Northern Ireland is of Northern Ireland is the Bannthe Bann, which rises , which rises in the Mourne Mountains and in the Mourne Mountains and flows northwardflows northward through through Lough Neagh to become a wide and navigable waterway Lough Neagh to become a wide and navigable waterway to to the seathe sea. .

The Foyle flows north to the sea at the port city of The Foyle flows north to the sea at the port city of Londonderry (Derry), forming the border with Ireland for Londonderry (Derry), forming the border with Ireland for part of its length. The Lagan flows northeast to the sea at part of its length. The Lagan flows northeast to the sea at Belfast.Belfast.

Lough NeaghLough Neagh Area 388 sq kmArea 388 sq km The largest freshwater lake in the British IslesThe largest freshwater lake in the British Isles Recreation, bird watching, eel fishing, sand Recreation, bird watching, eel fishing, sand

dredgingdredging

Enniskillen Castle on the Erne River.

ClimateClimate Northern Ireland’s climate is temperate, with warm Northern Ireland’s climate is temperate, with warm

winters and cool summers. In January the average winters and cool summers. In January the average daily temperature is around 4°C, and in July it is daily temperature is around 4°C, and in July it is about 15°C. Annual precipitation is about 1,100 about 15°C. Annual precipitation is about 1,100 mm (42 in)mm (42 in)

Spring is normally the driest season. Overcast Spring is normally the driest season. Overcast skies are the norm: Average daily hours of clear skies are the norm: Average daily hours of clear skies range from less than two from November to skies range from less than two from November to January to around six in May and June. Northern January to around six in May and June. Northern Ireland tends to be breezy, and gales are common Ireland tends to be breezy, and gales are common in spring and fall. in spring and fall.

POPULATIONPOPULATION

The total population The total population of Northern Ireland is of Northern Ireland is 1,710,300 (2004). 1,710,300 (2004). The overall The overall population density is population density is 121 persons per sq 121 persons per sq km. km.

Belfast is the capital and largest city of Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. Almost half of the province’s Northern Ireland. Almost half of the province’s population lives in the greater Belfast area. population lives in the greater Belfast area. Founded on the sandy mouth of the Lagan Founded on the sandy mouth of the Lagan River in 1613 by settlers from Britain, Belfast River in 1613 by settlers from Britain, Belfast took its name from took its name from Beal FeirsdeBeal Feirsde (Irish for “the (Irish for “the mouth of the sandbank”). Belfast remained a mouth of the sandbank”). Belfast remained a small trading port until about 1800. It small trading port until about 1800. It subsequently became a major industrial city, subsequently became a major industrial city, growing from about 20,000 people at the growing from about 20,000 people at the beginning of the 1800s to a peak of 443,671 in beginning of the 1800s to a peak of 443,671 in 1951.1951.

City Hall, BelfastCity Hall, Belfast

Panorama of Belfast, taken from Panorama of Belfast, taken from

a tower of Queen's Universitya tower of Queen's University..

Northern Ireland’s second largest city, Northern Ireland’s second largest city,

LondonderryLondonderry (Derry), is much smaller. (Derry), is much smaller. Derry (Irish Derry (Irish Doire,Doire, for “place of the oaks”), a for “place of the oaks”), a small community centred around a 6th-small community centred around a 6th-century abbey, was rebuilt by British settlers century abbey, was rebuilt by British settlers in 1613, and the official name of the city in 1613, and the official name of the city became Londonderry. This name was never became Londonderry. This name was never fully accepted or used by Catholics, who in fully accepted or used by Catholics, who in general still refer to the city as Derry. The general still refer to the city as Derry. The city is therefore often referred to in books city is therefore often referred to in books and other text sources as Londonderry/Derryand other text sources as Londonderry/Derry

ArmaghArmagh

The only other urban centre designated as a city is The only other urban centre designated as a city is Armagh, which is actually a small town. Armagh owes Armagh, which is actually a small town. Armagh owes its prominence to its historic role as the centre of its prominence to its historic role as the centre of Christianity in Ireland and the home of both the Christianity in Ireland and the home of both the Catholic and Anglican primates of all Ireland. Catholic and Anglican primates of all Ireland.

Major towns include the market centres of Coleraine Major towns include the market centres of Coleraine (headquarters of the University of Ulster), Dungannon, (headquarters of the University of Ulster), Dungannon, Enniskillen, Omagh, and Strabane; the ports of Larne Enniskillen, Omagh, and Strabane; the ports of Larne and Newry; and the historic linen manufacturing towns and Newry; and the historic linen manufacturing towns of Ballymena, Lurgan, and Portadown.of Ballymena, Lurgan, and Portadown.

the rolling countryside of the southern part of

the Armagh District

Armagh is the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland and has been an

important religious centre since the days of

Saint Patrick

LanguageLanguage Almost all residents of Northern Ireland speak English. Only Almost all residents of Northern Ireland speak English. Only

a tiny percentage speak Irish, a Gaelic language, except in a tiny percentage speak Irish, a Gaelic language, except in remote upland areas in the Glens of Antrim, the Mourne remote upland areas in the Glens of Antrim, the Mourne Mountains, and the Sperrin Mountains, where Irish is more Mountains, and the Sperrin Mountains, where Irish is more widely spoken. widely spoken.

The Catholic and nationalist community has tended to The Catholic and nationalist community has tended to become more enthusiastic about learning Irish as a second become more enthusiastic about learning Irish as a second language during periods of heightened political activity—for language during periods of heightened political activity—for example, from 1900 to 1920 and from 1970 to the present example, from 1900 to 1920 and from 1970 to the present day. day.

Recent government policies and the expansion of university Recent government policies and the expansion of university education have encouraged mutual respect for the two education have encouraged mutual respect for the two cultural traditions in the province. This has boosted the Irish cultural traditions in the province. This has boosted the Irish language movement, as well as the rise in popularity of language movement, as well as the rise in popularity of Ulster-Scots, or Ullans, among the Protestant communityUlster-Scots, or Ullans, among the Protestant community

Way of Life and Social Way of Life and Social IssuesIssues

Northern Ireland’s Catholic and Protestant communities are both Northern Ireland’s Catholic and Protestant communities are both predominantly conservative in their social and religious outlook. predominantly conservative in their social and religious outlook. Church attendance remains high, although it has been falling in recent Church attendance remains high, although it has been falling in recent years. Catholic and Protestant attitudes on matters of sexual morality years. Catholic and Protestant attitudes on matters of sexual morality and abortion are notably similar. Divorce levels are low in comparison and abortion are notably similar. Divorce levels are low in comparison to those in the rest of the United Kingdom. The proportion of mixed to those in the rest of the United Kingdom. The proportion of mixed Catholic-Protestant marriages has risen recently but remains only a Catholic-Protestant marriages has risen recently but remains only a small percentage of all marriages. small percentage of all marriages.

Many people believe that the decades of political violence Many people believe that the decades of political violence strengthened the women’s movement in Northern Ireland. Women strengthened the women’s movement in Northern Ireland. Women often came to the forefront of political life to demand peace and an end often came to the forefront of political life to demand peace and an end to terrorism. Two Belfast women jointly received the Nobel Peace to terrorism. Two Belfast women jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 for working to reconcile Northern Ireland’s religious Prize in 1976 for working to reconcile Northern Ireland’s religious communities.communities.

Sports are popular in Northern Ireland. In the Catholic Sports are popular in Northern Ireland. In the Catholic community Gaelic football and hurling are popular community Gaelic football and hurling are popular among men, and among men, and camogiecamogie (a sport similar to hurling) is (a sport similar to hurling) is popular among women. Among Protestants popular popular among women. Among Protestants popular games are rugby union football, cricket, and field games are rugby union football, cricket, and field hockey. Association football (soccer) and golf are hockey. Association football (soccer) and golf are popular games in both Catholic and Protestant popular games in both Catholic and Protestant communities. communities.

The Catholic-Protestant segregation extends to The Catholic-Protestant segregation extends to Northern Irish society in general. Urban residential Northern Irish society in general. Urban residential neighbourhoods are highly segregated.neighbourhoods are highly segregated.

Protestants hold higher-status jobs more frequently Protestants hold higher-status jobs more frequently and Catholics are somewhat more likely to be unskilled and Catholics are somewhat more likely to be unskilled or unemployed. The Fair Employment Commission or unemployed. The Fair Employment Commission (originally the Fair Employment Agency) has statutory (originally the Fair Employment Agency) has statutory powers to investigate cases of alleged discrimination powers to investigate cases of alleged discrimination and patterns of ethnic imbalance in all but the very and patterns of ethnic imbalance in all but the very smallest companies.smallest companies.

ECONOMYECONOMY The economy has revived in recent years as major The economy has revived in recent years as major

British retailing chains have moved into the British retailing chains have moved into the province, and the tourism industry has begun to province, and the tourism industry has begun to achieve its full potential. Most of Northern Ireland’s achieve its full potential. Most of Northern Ireland’s import and export trade is with other parts of the import and export trade is with other parts of the United Kingdom. The Republic of Ireland is the United Kingdom. The Republic of Ireland is the next most important trading partner.next most important trading partner.

Most farms in Northern Ireland are small. Most farms in Northern Ireland are small. Historically they began as tenant farms owned by Historically they began as tenant farms owned by the landlords of large estates. Agriculture in the landlords of large estates. Agriculture in Northern Ireland largely revolves around livestock Northern Ireland largely revolves around livestock production—cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry are the production—cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry are the main animals raised. Barley is the most important main animals raised. Barley is the most important crop, followed by potatoes and oats. crop, followed by potatoes and oats.

Sheep Grazing on a Hillside Agriculture dominates the economy of Northern Ireland outside the

heavily industrialized cities of Belfast and Derry. The climate of Northern Ireland, with its frequent rain and high humidity, is not

conducive to extensive farming but provides rich pasture for sheep and cattle

GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT Northern Ireland is part of the United Northern Ireland is part of the United

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which is a parliamentary monarchy Ireland, which is a parliamentary monarchy and an electoral democracy. The province is and an electoral democracy. The province is represented by 18 members in the British represented by 18 members in the British Parliament's House of Commons. Voting age Parliament's House of Commons. Voting age in the United Kingdom is 18.in the United Kingdom is 18.

The head of Northern Ireland is the British The head of Northern Ireland is the British Monarch {currently Monarch {currently Queen Elizabeth II}Queen Elizabeth II}

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland AssemblyAssembly

Established under the terms of Established under the terms of the Good the Good Friday Agreement.Friday Agreement.

Often has been suspended since its Often has been suspended since its establishment.establishment.

Consists of 108 membersConsists of 108 members.. Of the 108 members, 59 are Unionists and 42 Of the 108 members, 59 are Unionists and 42

are Nationalist.are Nationalist. The Assembly is based on the principle of The Assembly is based on the principle of

power-sharing.power-sharing.

Secretary of State for Secretary of State for Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

The British cabinet The British cabinet ministerminister..

The office was The office was created in 1972.created in 1972.

The Secretary of State The Secretary of State resides in resides in Hillsborough Castle.Hillsborough Castle.

SubdivisionsSubdivisions

1.Provinces {Ulster}1.Provinces {Ulster}

2.Traditional counties.2.Traditional counties.

3.Districts of Northern Ireland.3.Districts of Northern Ireland.

Districts of Northern Districts of Northern IrelandIreland

1. 1. Antrim Antrim 2. Ards 2. Ards 3. Armagh 3. Armagh 4. Ballymena 4. Ballymena 5. Ballymoney 5. Ballymoney 6. Banbridge 6. Banbridge 7. Belfast 7. Belfast 8. 8.

CarrickferguCarrickfergus s

9. Castlereagh 9. Castlereagh 10. Coleraine 10. Coleraine 11. Cookstown 11. Cookstown 12. Craigavon 12. Craigavon

13. Derry13. Derry

14. Down 14. Down 15. Dungannon and 15. Dungannon and

South Tyrone South Tyrone 16. Fermanagh 16. Fermanagh 17. Larne 17. Larne 18. Limavady 18. Limavady 19. Lisburn 19. Lisburn 20. Magherafelt 20. Magherafelt 21. Moyle 21. Moyle 22. Newry and Mourne 22. Newry and Mourne 23. Newtownabbey 23. Newtownabbey 24. North Down 24. North Down 25. Omagh 25. Omagh

26. Strabane26. Strabane

City statusCity status City status in the United Kingdom is City status in the United Kingdom is granted by granted by

the British monarch.the British monarch.

The status does not apply automatically on the The status does not apply automatically on the basis of any particular criteria.basis of any particular criteria.

Currently there are Currently there are five citiesfive cities in Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland:: ArmaghArmagh BelfastBelfast Derry/LondonderryDerry/Londonderry LisburnLisburn NewryNewry

Ulster FryUlster Fry -bacon, -bacon, eggs,eggs, sausages,sausages, the the farl form of soda bread, potato bread, farl form of soda bread, potato bread, tomatotomato

Irish BreakfastIrish Breakfast –Ulster fry +black pudding,–Ulster fry +black pudding, mushrooms,mushrooms, beansbeans

Traditionally fried in lardTraditionally fried in lard FarlsFarls-term used for roughly triangular flat -term used for roughly triangular flat

breads and cakes, made by cutting a breads and cakes, made by cutting a round into four pieces.round into four pieces.

Symbolism Symbolism There is no longer an official Flag of There is no longer an official Flag of

Northern Ireland, itNorthern Ireland, it was abolished 1972was abolished 1972 Unionists tend to use the Union Flag or Unionists tend to use the Union Flag or

The Flag of Northern Ireland (The Ulster The Flag of Northern Ireland (The Ulster Banner,Banner, Red Hand Flag),Red Hand Flag), while while nationalist the Flag of Ireland or Flag of nationalist the Flag of Ireland or Flag of

Ulster.Ulster.

The national anthemThe national anthem, , God Save The Queen orGod Save The Queen or

Londonderry Air (Danny Boy)Londonderry Air (Danny Boy) Saint Patrick (17th March)Saint Patrick (17th March)