Human Divisions

Northern Ireland consists of the six counties at the North East corner of Ireland. At the time of partition in 1921 Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone either had a Protestant majority, or in the case of Fermanagh and Tyrone more or less parity with the Roman Catholic community. Three of the counties of the ancient Province of Ulster, Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan became part of the newly independent Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland or Eire).

At the centre of Northern Ireland is Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the whole of the United Kingdom. Legend has it that Finn MacCool created this lake as well as the Giant's Causeway.

Five of the counties of Northern Ireland have an inland coast on Lough Neagh. Clockwise from Belfast and the Lagan Valley they are Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Londonderry and Antrim. Fermanagh is the only county not to border Lough Neagh makes up for it by exclusively containing Northern Ireland's own lakeland based around Upper and Lower Lough Erne which dominate the geography of that county.

Dispite it's name Northern Ireland does not contain the most Northerly point of mainland Ireland, this is Malin Head in Donegal. So it is possible to travel north from Londonderry and end up in the south.

Physical Features

Surrounding Lough Neagh is a high plateau but each of the counties is hilly and moutainous. The highest peaks are in the Mournes which dominate the landscape of County Down. Most of Down is drumlin fields left after the glacial retreat but the pinnacles of granite to the south tower over the rolling countryside and on a clear day these can be seen from the hills surrounding Belfast.

The Sperrins are the next highest mountains and dominate County Londonderry. There has been gold found in these mountains but not enough to inspire a gold rush. These more rounded peaks contain Northern Ireland's highest main route through the Glen Shane Pass shortening the journey time between Belfast and Londonderry.

Antrim rises to a higher level basalt plateau from the banks of Lough Neagh with many rivers flowing west into it. However on it's sea coast the plateau suddenly drops off again as this is the edge of a glacial valley which now divided Ireland from Scotland. The plateau is cut through often spectacularly but rivers in the deep valleys which give this area its name 'The Glen's of Antrim'. To the north are the variety of basalt columns which stretch along the coastline and form the Giant's Causeway. The coastal road in Antrim is spectactular for the variety of geological features along its length. Even if you aren't a geologist the sheer majesty in their beauty is inspirational.

The main rivers which flow through Northern Ireland are the Bann which rises in the Mournes in County Down then flows north into Lough Neagh and out at the north west corner on through Coleraine and unto the Atlantic Ocean near Portstewart. Also rising in the Mournes is the Lagan, which also follows a northerly track towards Lough Neagh before leaving the central plateau turning sharply to the east towards Belfast. The other main rivers with industrial important are the River Foyle which serves Londonderry and the Bush on which the Bushmills distillery is situated. Although many of the other rivers also have or had some textile or grain milling along them.

Also Known As

There are many pseudonyms for Northern Ireland so here's a brief look at them and how they came into being.:

• The Province: As stated above it does not comprise all of the historic Province of Ulster, Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan being part of the Republic of Ireland. This term is however largely used by the Unionist community.
• Ulster: The proper name of the province, used falsely by the Unionist community and their paramilitary organisations to apparently speak for three counties in the republic as well as Northern Ireland. However before the partition Unionist where trying to keep the whole of Ulster in the United Kingdom. Admittedly U does need less paint than NI for graffiti purposes.
• The North: A foreshortening of the name and used by both communities to some extent, with Eire being referred to as the south. Also with Donegal to the West and slightly further north not 100% accurate.
• The Six Counties: Used by Nationalists who refuse to recognise the separation and therefore will not recognise or call it Northern Ireland.