Are Northern Ireland and Ireland two different countries?

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john N

Most of the people have it right..
However - Great Britain is the name of the island that includes England, Scotland and Wales - The United Kingdom includes GB and Northern Ireland.

Ireland is an island with two separate bits - The ROI and NI.
People from NI are British citizens and can therefore hold a British passport. People born in NI are also permitted to apply for an Irish passport if they wish.

Many people from NI would call themselves Irish much the same way as people from South America and Canada call themselves "Americans" - that is to say, the term "American" is not solely applicable to US citizens. Similarly, people born in NI may call themselves Irish but be unionists or loyalists (pro-being part of the UK and faithful to the British Crown). Other people would consider being Irish as not only being a native but supporting a united Ireland.
Equally, many NI folk embrace the designation "British" while others reject it.

It is a long and complicated history but thankfully the hostility between the communities is not what it once was.

There used to be a militarized border but it is not there anymore.

I Say, Old Chap!

Was going to explain but John N hit the nail on the head - very concise answer.

Just to clear up a couple of mistakes other answerers have made:

Northern Ireland is NOT part of Britain, but it is part of the UK (Britain is an Island, the UK is a Sovereign State which consists of 4 countries)

Also, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are NOT part of the UK.

Finally - Northern Ireland does not 'belong' to the UK, it is PART of the UK

siog24

"There exists a difference in the demographics between both entities in terms of religion, which brought about the separation"

religion did not bring about the separation...

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom
The Republic of Ireland is its own separate country.
'Ireland' refers to both countries on the island,

They do not both have the same birth documents etc., as a person from N.Ireland will have these documents issued by the United Kingdom, whereas the person from the Republic will have the documents issued by the Republic.
Under the Good Friday Agreement people from N.Ireland can obtain an Irish passport if they wish

oeeoeeah

Ireland is an island which includes both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, while the Republic of Ireland is a sovereign state. There exists a difference in the demographics between both entities in terms of religion, which brought about the separation.

Srsly

This is actually kind of a complicated question, I think...

Technically, Northern Ireland is a country separate from the Republic of Ireland, and is considered a part of the United Kingdom while Ireland is most definitely not.

I'm going to take the safe route and drop a wikipedia article here for you to refer to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_ireland

Happy reading! :)

LEGALIZE PIT BULLS!NOW!

irland and northern ireland are different countries northern ireland is part of the uk ireland doesnt

Orla C

Yes, technically they are. Northern Ireland is still part of the United Kingdom, with also includes England, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

Each place has its own documents, but people born in Northern Ireland can choose to have UK passport or a Republic of Ireland passport. You can now pass freely across the border, the checkpoints are unmanned.

Greenie

Northern Ireland is UK territory, Ireland is technically the Republic of Ireland. Yes the have different birth documents and drivers licenses. The passport may be the same depending on the citizenship. Many people are opting to get EU citizenship. Which means any one in Europe can have the same passport. In the past the border was guarded with men with guns. Now a days you can pass freely between the to. You just have to stop like a tool both. They ask some information like the drivers name, how many people you have in the car, but that is only to prevent criminals to cross borders.

AobhrÃl

It's all one Island, the six counties in the North are politically joined to the UK. Until the twenties Ireland as a whole was a British Colony, but in the North due to the James Plantation, Scottish planter descent Protestants are a Majority and have chosen to remain part of the UK, there are Catholics there who wish to be part of the Republic. Eventually they are likely to rejoin the Republic, I think.
If you are born there you are entitled to both Irish and British papers, the Prodestants would often call themselves 'British' while the Catholics just say 'Irish' (It's not really to do with religion anymore but the Prodestants are 99.9% of Planter descent from Scotland, Britian) you can pass freely nowadays, but you need to change your money to sterling.

lunatic

Northern Ireland is a part of Great Britain just as Scotland and Whales and England are.

Ireland is its own country.

Misty Blue

No.

You's can thumb away.The answer's still no.

MKL

Northern Ireland is part of Great Britain, and is ruled by the UK Government.

Ireland (Eire) is the southern part if the island and is independent of the UK.

The Troubles regarding the IRA etc stem from the fact that some of Eire's population don't agree with British rule.

G.I.Josh

I believe they are all just one country, however Ireland is divided because of religous diffrence between the people. I know the IRA is one faction and they recieved the first death but are branded as terrorists.

Jonathan T

its one countries but they are separated by religion

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