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ROI is often used, yes. It's a good way of easily differentiating between whether you're talking about Ireland the island, or Ireland the country, which curren
by jamiethompson 8y ago
ROI is often used, yes.
It's a good way of easily differentiating between whether you're talking about Ireland the island, or Ireland the country, which currently excludes the six counties of Northern Ireland (NI) which are still part of the UK.
The term Ireland is often used to refer to the island as a whole, but obviously this can depend on the political leaning of who you're talking to.
Northern Ireland, depending on context and/or who is speaking can otherwise be referred to as Ulster (problematic, as the province of Ulster has 9 counties, only 6 of which are in Northern Ireland). It is also common in some circles to refer to the 6 counties currently occupied by the British simply as "the north".
In short, Ireland is a hot geopolitical mess and when talking about Ireland, it is useful to be as specific and as neutral as is possible.
So ROI/NI are quite useful shorthands.
- Aloha 8y agoI strongly suspect most residents of Northern Ireland would take umbrage at the word "occupied"
- jamiethompson 8y agoYou're not wrong. There is a loyalist majority in NI. But those that would refer to Northern Ireland as "the north" would generally be among those that definitely would refer to the six counties as occupied.
- rtkwe 8y ago> The five most recent opinion polls taken in the North show similar results, with support for the North staying in the UK ranging from 45 per cent to 55 per cent, and averaging around the 50 per cent mark. [0] Way closer than you think. (Using desire for a united Ireland as a proxy here) [0] https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/polls-suggest-gradual-shift-to-united-ireland-1.3645214 https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/polls-suggest-gradual-shi...
- chappi42 8y agoTo explain ROI you really wouldn't had to use terms like 'still part of UK' and, as mentioned, 'ocuppied'. This only distracts.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]