Do you think we should start a campaign to ban people calling Ireland Southern Ireland?

It gets on my nerves, how would they like it if we called Wales Western England, or USA Southern Canada, ahrgghghghgh

Southern Ireland, it sounds like it should be a group of islands, in the pacific, to differentiate it from its northern hemisphere counterpart.

It's just Ireland, 4 provinces, 32 counties, 6 of which happen to have a different government.

Up the Republic!.........edit.....Christine, Cork is the Capital.lol.........Not bad gurl.

We can start it all we like, but will it work? Some people seem to think Dublin is part of the UK (just saw Q about that this morning), so at this rate we should we be glad we're not called 'Western Britain'.

But I agree, its annoying, especially as I live in east Ireland. and what about those poor souls in the West, they never get a look in, no wonder Cork thinks its the real capital. LOL

Edit, Ger C, loike, you wish boy!! (thats my best Cork accent)

yep i agree.. its really annoying especially because Donegal is in the Republic of Ireland but isn't in Southern Ireland... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Well I certainly don't call it that. I call it the Republic of Ireland or the Irish Republic.

Those people in Eastern Wales and Northern Mexico don't know what they're on about

I don't think people are doing this to be annoying. It's just said to differentiate between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. I would see it as Laziness rather than disrespect.

People often do this sort of thing: Oz - Australia, Donny - Doncaster etc... But hey, maybe North West England would be a good alternative!?!

Only Joking!

Yes well said. I am from the republic of ireland. I could never call it southern Ireland. Us Irish people don't.

Hahahahaha ..............

I didn't even know it was called that! All I know is normal Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.. ><

Didnt even know that people call our country that too often !

yes definitely - Tiofaidh Ar La

i would say more people call ROI 'down south'.
suppose it makes sense, you know, northern Ireland-Southern Ireland.

its better than when they call it eire

Totally! I'm in!

Ill back you up!

I live in Waterford, the most south part of Ireland...never saw people use it till on here...not really bothered by it though, its just ignorance

It should be referred to as Republic of Ireland. I much prefer Northern Ireland.

How would you implement such a ban?

Get the Garda to jail anyone in the Republic saying it?
You would be better off getting the whole country integrated once again. That would effectively stop references to southern Ireland.

no
why???
its just a nickname
if anything calling those 6 counties Northern Ireland should be illegal
the Government should begin to act with stormont to ignore the border
like a protest
against england
and the unionists
so we should just call it Ireland
yes that would be nice
and we could reinforce the border between dublin and ireland
because they're so snobby to the rest of the country
YA NORRIE BASTRD!
YA CULCHIE FUKR!!!
so snobby
you might think it's england
we should give england dublin
and keep the north
yes that would be nicer

Yup!!!

It's either Ireland, the Republic (of Ireland) or down south (as northerns call it)

I am American and seriously have never heard anyone in the US say this...how odd. Most of us over here just use the Republic and the North to differentiate the two. Is this another thing that people complain about Americans about? Because we don't actually say that, makes no sense.

Then again, people generalize oddly about most countries. You have to laugh at it, or you'll go mad eventually.

yes!!!recks my head even on some English weather programs they just show NORTHERN Ireland on its own with no southern Ireland to be seen vanished into thin air!!!if they feel that badly bout is let them cut off northern Ireland and the Brits can stick it on2 Scotland oh and if they want it that badly they can pay for they shipping costs too

oops I used to call it Southern Ireland, but not anymore since I've read your question now :D

I find only northern irish calling it that, its funny when N.I. people introduce me to others as being from "down south" when I'm from Donegal and probably from a more Northern part than them..
I'm not wile offended by the term "Southern Ireland" and spendin too much time with them I sometimes start sayin "The South"..but most of the time I say "The Republic". I've had to learn not to have too much pride in fickle issues like this cos it's easy to feel so hurt from others remarks.

No, I don't think a campaign is necessary it's just habit/ignorance/laziness and is not meant to be rude or whatever...
But I think the Western England/Southern Canada idea is funny!

Maybe another campaign would be useful too - a campaign to stop people saying Ireland when they mean the Republic of Ireland. Ireland is an island with two countries on it.

I've never actually heard it being called Southern Ireland. But if it is, i say STOP!!!

it is if people here are visiting IRELAND they say north or south, the same as if you are coming to wales they say north aor south wales.

i agree, 32 counties in ireland. funny how on some maps on british regional tv, theres either an imaginary line across ireland or the other 26 counties magially dissapear alltogether.

we could try but it wouldn't work. If you look at the questions that appear on here week after week re "southern " ireland. It drives me mad. I think it is mostly people from across the atlantic who call it that or eire. The other thing that drives me mad is the old erin go bragh thing.

I disagree that it is people trying to differentiate between here and Northern Ireland. I think it is just pure ignorance of how the island of Ireland is set up (and disinterest too).

Have you noticed that they are asking about st "patty's" day as well. Its unbelievable.!!!!!! never knew she was a girl!!