Ireland vs. Northern Ireland...What's the Difference?

Technically speaking, Ireland is the island.  But on this island are two separate political countries…the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.  The Republic of Ireland is an independent sovereign nation.  Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, which also includes Scotland, Wales, and England.

Until 1921, Ireland was one undivided country under British rule.  So why are they split? What started as a religious issue between the Protestants and the Catholics, has now become a social and cultural conflict.

Traditionally, Ireland is a Catholic country.  There are still Catholics in Northern Ireland, but when citizens of England and Scotland started emigrating to the northern part of Ireland 500 years ago, they brought their Protestant religion with them, so they feel more culturally linked to Great Britain through their Protestant ancestors.

(Remember England was also Catholic until King Henry VIII got mad at the pope in the 16^th century for not recognizing his marriage annulment from Queen Catherine so he could marry Anne Boleyn.  In defiance he “protested” and started the Church of England.)

Under pressure from the mostly Protestant population in the North to remain with the Protestant United Kingdom, the British and Irish governments forced the division of the island into the north and the south.

The IRA (Irish Republican Army) is a Catholic paramilitary organization whose goal is to force the British out of Northern Ireland.  This terrorist group organized in 1919 and is believed responsible for hundreds of deaths in the late 20^th century.

The period after 1968 is referred to as “The Troubles.”  British soldiers came in 1969 to restore order but unfortunately took sides and discrimination of Catholics continued.  Extremists from both sides took the law into their own hands resulting in thousands either killed or imprisoned.

Ireland governs itself, and so did Northern Ireland until the 1960s when the civil unrest forced Great Britain to impose Home Rule.  In the early 21^st century, Northern Ireland regained some of its independent government, but it continues to remain under British Sovereign law. 

There are also a few other differences.  For example, the Republic of Ireland uses the euro for its currency, while Northern Ireland uses the pound sterling as part of the United Kingdom.  In addition, speed limits in Northern Ireland are shown on signs as miles per hour, while Ireland uses kilometers.  And look at the mailboxes: Northern Ireland mailboxes are red, while those in the Republic of Ireland are green.  That helps you tell when you’ve crossed the border.

Regardless of their differences, the two countries both approved the Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement, in 1998 which stated that the majority of the people of Northern Ireland want to remain a part of the United Kingdom and that a substantial number of people in Northern Ireland and most of the people of the island of Ireland want a united Ireland.

The agreement basically says that both viewpoints are equally legitimate and that the two countries will remain as they are until the majority of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland want the two united.  The political leaders Catholic John Hume and Protestant David Trimble later received the Nobel Peace Prize for their contributions.

However, in many places in Belfast, the lines are still drawn.  “Peace Lines” (walls topped by barbed wire) can still be seen segregating factions of Catholic supporters and Protestant supporters. 

Northern Ireland mural 

Although Northern Ireland is a more peaceful place, one can still see, especially in Belfast, territorial flags, murals, or curbstones painted red, white, and blue for Protestant Loyalists or orange, green, and white for Catholic Republicans.

Tourists are encouraged not to show any support to either faction while traveling through these areas by wearing group colors or waving union flags.  Just to be safe, avoid initiating conversation with locals on politics or religion, and shy away from political demonstrations or controversial parades.  It is best to err on the side of caution.

Today Northern Ireland is composed of six counties, while Ireland has 26 counties.  Confusingly, Northern Ireland is also a part of the province of Ulster (one of four ancient Irish provinces), which also includes three counties from the Republic of Ireland.

Still confused?  Watch this video “Get It Right” (1:16) and see just how “simple” it is!

The first half of this video from Rick Steves “Belfast and the Best of Northern Ireland” (26:08) explains a little more about Belfast and the Troubles. 

And if you are a history buff, you might like this entertaining video “A Brief History of the Conflicts in the North (of Ireland) (10:24).” It begins at THE beginning and carries you through to current times.  (Note: Remember to breathe somewhere in the middle of it.  It carries you pretty fast!)

Titanic Belfast - Northern Ireland

Titanic Belfast

It’s not an accident that Titanic Belfast looks like passing ships or that from above it resembles a star or that it opened in 2012… one hundred years after the ship’s tragic maiden voyage. 

The iconic six-floor building located on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard in the city’s Titanic Quarter in the heart of Belfast sits just 100 yards from slipway number 2 where the historic ship was constructed.  To the right is the drawing office where she was designed and to the left is the River Lagan where she first set sail.

Actually the outside resembles the hulls of four ships covered with bright metal shards that resemble ocean waves from reflected light.  Some even say it resembles an iceberg.  The aerial star shape of the building is symbolic of the ship’s owner, the White Star Line.

Once inside, the giant atrium greets visitors as they embark on a self-guided tour through nine galleries that tell the story of the Titanic from its construction on Queen’s Island through its tragic sinking to its underwater discovery and her place in modern culture today.

The Titanic experience is told through state-of-the-art exhibits, interactive displays, audio, film, CGI, full-size replicas, and artifacts.  The highlight of the tour will be a dark ride through the Titanic under construction.

The Galleries

Gallery 1: Boomtown Belfast—Learn about booming Belfast in the early 1900s and walk through the Harland and Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built.

Gallery 2: The Shipyard Ride—Experience the thrilling dark ride through the shipyard and encounter the sights, sounds, and smells of the Titanic’s construction.

Gallery 3: The Launch of Titanic—Experience the excitement of the ship’s launching as you look out to Titanic sitting on her slipway, made possible by innovative glazing that incorporates original imagery from the time.

Interior of Titanic exhibit

Gallery 4: Fitting-Out—Watch as the Titanic’s interior craftsmanship comes to life and view the luxury built into the epic ship.

Gallery 5: Maiden Voyage—Learn the stories of the passengers, crew, and heroes who embarked on the Titanic’s maiden voyage.

Gallery 6: The Sinking—Relive the drama as the Titanic sinks after hitting an iceberg.

Gallery 7: The Aftermath—Learn of the world’s reaction to the tragedy through news reports and recordings enhanced by live performances and exhibits.  Visitors can use interactive screens to search the passenger and crew lists to find out if one of their relatives was aboard the ship. 

Gallery 8: Myths and Reality—Separate fact from fiction through the many films, stories, and fantasies that have been inspired by the Titanic legend through interactive touch screens.  Celine Dion’s song My Heart Will Go On plays in the background.

Gallery 9: Visit and Explore the Wreck—Follow Dr. Robert Ballard, the discoverer of the Titanic’s resting place on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in 1985, as he works with Titanic Belfast.  Visitors will be able to visit the wreck with live links to the contemporary undersea exploration, however actual artifacts retrieved from the Titanic Wreck Site and Debris Field will not be on display for ethical reasons.

This video, National Geographic Live! – Robert Ballard: Restore the Titanic (20:29), tells the background leading up to Dr. Ballard's Titanic discovery in his own words just before the Titanic Belfast opened in 2012.  

The Ocean Exploration Centre is located just beneath Gallery 9 and promotes the exploration of the Titanic site as well as other areas of the ocean surrounding Northern Ireland.  Discover ocean secrets in real time with live video feeds.

A replica of the Grand Staircase is located on the fifth and sixth floors in the Titanic Suite.  Unfortunately, this suite is reserved exclusively for banquets and conferences.  The only way visitors may view the staircase is to have afternoon tea on Sunday afternoons!

In front of the building stands, Titanica, a bronze female figure sculpture by Rowan Gillespie, which resembles a figurehead on a ship's prow.  Representing hope and positivity, it was dedicated by representatives of the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches.

It takes about 2-3 hours to tour the entire exhibit.  Take time also to visit each section of the Titanic Belfast official web site and learn many Titanic stories and ship facts.  Make your time at the world’s largest Titanic exhibition count.

RMS Titanic on maiden voyage, 1912