G'day then

[fredv3b]

Rychard,

I am very sorry to be a pedant but the British Isles contains 2 sovereign states, namely the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It is the UK that contains 3 nations and a province. The term 'province' is however controversial, the island of Ireland was divided into 4 provinces Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster, when the island was divided into Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State (later the Republic) so was Ulster. Six of her nine counties formed Northern Ireland, but the other three (Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan) were part of the Free State. Hence referring to Northern Ireland as either Ulster or a province is technically inaccurate and politically controversial.

[Rychard the Lionheart]

I stand corrected re. British Isles, I would think that not many Irishmen would like to be called British. Regarding the United Kingdom, I believe that Northern Ireland is part of Ulster, which is one of the four Irish provinces. Also the BBC have on a number of occassions referred to the Scottish and Welsh governments giving the impression of being independant of the UK. They have a local assembly which have some control over local laws and others issues but are still part of the UK.

[fredv3b]

I stand corrected re. British Isles, I would think that not many Irishmen would like to be called British.

Indeed, generally speaking I only use the phrase the 'British Isles' when I want to annoy the Irish.

[marshlander]

Indeed, generally speaking I only use the phrase the 'British Isles' when I want to annoy the Irish.

Some people can't help living on the edge!!!

[fredv3b]

the British Isles contains 2 sovereign states, namely the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Being a consistent pedant I correct even myself. The British Isles also contains the Crown Dependency of the Isle of Man (not part of the UK) in addition to two sovereign states.

[Janio Callan]

Hello!