Map of Northern Ireland

End of the 1919-1925 war of independence and partition

After a war of independence began in 1912 between the Irish Republican Army and the British government and Unionist riots (including Easter Rising ) in north London agreed to negotiate with the IRA (including Michael Collins ). London proposed a treaty the Irish:

• The Unionists , a majority of the six northern counties (see above), have their own parliament and ministries but remain in the UK. Thus was born the Northern Ireland.
• The Nationalists have a majority of southern Free State , belonging to the Commonwealth , with parliaments and ministries in exchange for a pledge of allegiance to the British crown. This new state would include 26 counties (the counties of the Republic today). The disagreement on these conditions was the cause of the civil war that began in 1921.

The island was thus divided into two entities. See Ireland

It is wise to remember that the confit is not between Catholics and Protestants but between royalists and republicans or nationalists and unionists. Indeed, the former are (globally), descendants of ancient inhabitants of Ireland, and the latter are (mostly) the descendants of English and Scottish settlers.

The new state of Northern Ireland and is run by Protestant politicians elected by the country's Protestant majority and Catholic takes away the right to vote . This State crossed the ^twentieth century the pace of sectarian clashes and tensions (from 1921 until 1972 ).

Years 1960-1980, and early growth of the conflict

The first scale protests of the Catholic community, especially in August 1968 , demanded equal rights and ending discrimination introduced by the Protestant Unionist majority: voting rights based on ownership of the means of production are majority owned by Protestants, redistricting unfair, inequitable allocation of housing, etc.. This movement was like in it than the civil rights of black citizens in the United States. But the current unionist living in these applications a threat to its existence and its interests (justice, police, housing, etc.).. The gatherings were banned while the police (mainly composed of Protestants) repressed increasingly violent demonstrations.

The administration of Northern Ireland was destabilized by violent clashes between Catholics and Protestants in Derry / Londonderry ( Derry for nationalists and Londonderry for the Unionists), including Bloody Sunday ( 30 January 1972 ), where commandos British paratroopers fired on unarmed demonstrators and peaceful. The conflict spread to Belfast. There, Catholic families were forced to flee their houses were burnt by the police and the Protestant crowd opposed to change ( Ardoyne , north Belfast, 1969 ). The quarters were Catholic nationalists to thank you for Protestant rioters and police. Irish insurgents armed themselves and began by defending the neighborhood before moving in an offensive. The IRA was reorganized spontaneously to allow the defense of his community.

A new concept entered the equation of the conflict: the reunification of the two Irelands. Catholics made it a mantra. While Protestants saw a united Ireland as a threat, especially in the religious (Speech of Vatican ).

In 1969 , London sent the British army to separate the two communities and restore calm. But the soldiers, early perceived by Catholics as protectors, became the instruments of government troops in place and practiced the same repression that the police officers. The IRA then turned its activities against the British army. The avowed aim of the nationalists became the liberation of Ireland from British rule. Protestant paramilitaries were formed to defend the interests of the people protesting. The Ulster Volunteer Force , the Loyalist Volunteer Force and Ulster Defence Association took to target members of the IRA's Sinn Fein (political wing of the IRA) and civilians in the Catholic community. Followed a guerrilla-style conflict, modestly called "Troubles" where explosions, shootings and other acts of war were committed by the various protagonists.

Several attempts to end the conflict were attempted. But they all failed in the 1970's and 1980.

Years 1990-2000 The peace process

In the 1990s , London secretly agreed to meet with executives from the IRA to negotiate a cease-fire lasting. Sinn Fein tried to participate in discussions. But it took nearly eight years for the party moved to the negotiating table. This allowed the IRA to end the conflict temporarily.

A change of managers within the parties facilitated the negotiations which culminated in 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement (or Belfast Agreement). The agreement between the parties in Northern Ireland and the governments of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland included: an autonomous parliament in the province guarantees human rights , administrative boards border environmental and tourism, regional languages (the Irish and Ulster Scots ), a British-Irish Council to bring together the governments of the British Isles (the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland , Ireland Northern of Scotland , from Wales , of Jersey , to Guernsey and the Isle of Man ).

The agreement allows the establishment of a system of local government and power sharing between unionists and nationalists. It works, not without difficulty, until 2002. David Trimble was then Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. On 14 October 2002, the operation of the autonomous parliament is interrupted when a spy scandal broke out of the General Staff of the IRA. This return to the direct control of London last four years.

In 2006 , new negotiations lead to agreements of St. Andrews , which allow the holding of new elections in March 2007 , the resumption of the functioning of the Assembly on 7 April of that year and finally set up on May 8 of a government implying for the first time Ian Paisley , leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. He became prime minister of Northern Ireland. Deputy Prime Minister Martin Mc Guinness. The two men celebrated the reopening of Stormont (the Northern Irish parliament) on May 29. Their relationship seems cordial and bodes well for the future.

Politics

The palace of Stormont , which meets the Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland is a country belonging to the United Kingdom, the government seat in Stormont and is represented by the Northern Ireland Assembly. The assembly has total control over the affairs called "transfer": ('transfer matters': administration of public services, education, health, culture, local industry ...), a partial power on reserved matters, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland appointed by London ('reserved matters': police, trade, aviation ...) and no control over foreign affairs (known as excepted matters: diplomacy, defense, central taxes ).

108 members ( MLAs ) are elected every five years, using the same constituencies that the elections of Parliament of the United Kingdom. The electorate consists of 1,169,423 voting. These include all citizens over eighteen years, enrolled on electoral roll. The Assembly elections are held according to a multi-member proportional system. After the election, a prime minister and a deputy prime minister must come together and gather support from both communities. The first and deputy prime minister chosen jointly by the ministers, according to the importance of political parties. Currently, the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland is Peter Robinson , belonging to the DUP and is accompanied by Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fin as Deputy Prime Minister.

Northern Ireland elects 18 deputies ( MPs ) to the Parliament of the United Kingdom on a total of 649 . One member is elected for each constituency by a simple majority vote in one round.

For the European elections in Northern Ireland is regarded as one constituency in the United Kingdom, which elects three members. To date, members are Diane Dodds of the DUP , Bairbre de Brn of Sinn Fein and Jim Nicholson of the UUP . These are the only districts of the United Kingdom which proceed by single transferable vote ballot.

The politics of Northern Ireland is largely driven by religion and national sentiment. For example, 55 members of the Assembly and 44 Unionists are nationalists, reflecting more or less religious division. A survey of the Northern Ireland Life and Times shows that 20% of Catholics in Northern Ireland are satisfied that Northern Ireland remains within the United Kingdom , despite this, only 5% said they would vote for unionist parties or for unlabeled.

Administration

Northern Ireland has six counties traditional, Antrim , Armagh , Derry , Down , Fermanagh and Tyrone but these are not currently considered by the administration. However, they are mentioned on Irish passports: as the 'county of birth' was registered. The teams of the GAA are always distributed by county. Finally, they are also listed on the cards issued by the government.

Northern Ireland is administered by 26 local councils:

Antrim Ards Armagh Ballymena Ballymoney Banbridge Belfast Carrickfergus Castlereagh Coleraine Cookstown Craigavon Derry Down Dungannon and South Tyrone Fermanagh Larne Limavady Lisburn Magherafelt Moyle Newry and Mourne Newtownabbey North Down Omagh Strabane

For the elections of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Assembly, there are 18 districts:

East Belfast BC North Belfast BC Belfast South BC Belfast West BC East Antrim CC East Londonderry CC Fermanagh and South Tyrone CC Foyle CC Lagan Valley CC Mid Ulster CC Newry and Armagh CC North Antrim CC North Down CC South Antrim CC South Down CC Strangford CC Upper Bann CC West Tyrone CC

Justice

There are three legal jurisdictions in the United Kingdom , England and Wales , the Scotland and Northern Ireland. The law of Northern Ireland is predominantly based on English common law, but there are also differences that come from the period of autonomy in Northern Ireland. There are also similarities between the Northern Irish law and the law of the Republic of Ireland , because of the Irish parliament , which had jurisdiction over the whole island of Ireland until 1800.

The criminal justice system has been completely redesigned after the signing of the Belfast Agreement. The Government of the United Kingdom , then introduced the "Justice Act (Northern Ireland)" 2002 and 2004 for it. The courses in Northern Ireland are administered by the Department during the Northern Ireland .

At this time, the Court's most important in Northern Ireland is the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom , created in October 2009 with the "Reform Act of 2005 Constitution (Constitutional Reform Act 2005). It makes the "Supreme Court", which is composed of the "Court of Appeals," the "High Court" and "Crown Court" . Formerly, before the entry into force of the Reform Act of 2005 Constitution in October 2009, the Court was the most powerful of the "Judicial Commission of the House of Lords. "

The "Court of Appeals is the most powerful after the House of Lords. It handles appeals from other courts. The "High Court" is divided into three, the "Judicial Division of the Queen (or king when the monarch is a king), the" Chancery Division "and" Family Division ". The division bench of the Queen deals with the law of contract and personal injury. The Chancery Division deals with trade laws, custody, inheritance and guardianship of the land law. She also handles intellectual property. The "Family Division" deals with the law on divorce, children and medical treatment. The "Crown Court" deals with serious criminal cases .

At one level below the "County Court", dealing with trials and commercial applications. There are seven County Schools in Northern Ireland. There are also "magistrates court" that deal with minor criminal matters and preliminary hearings on serious criminal cases .

Geography

Northern Ireland was covered by glaciers during most of the last ice age and during previous cold periods. We find traces visible in many drumlins in Counties Fermanagh , Armagh , Antrim and particularly in the Down. The centerpiece of the geography of Northern Ireland is Lough Neagh , with 392 km , c is the largest lake of fresh water of the British Isles. Another group of lakes is centered on the Upper and Lower Lough Erne in Fermanagh. The largest island dependent on Northern Ireland is Rathlin , off the side of Antrim. The largest bay in the British Isles is Strangford Lough , with 58 square kilometers.

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The Giant's Causeway , in the Antrim

The Sperrin Mountains have substantial heights (which are an extension of the folded mountains of the Caledonian chain ). The latter contains imporant deposits of gold. The highest peak in Belfast is Cave Hill. The volcanic activity that is causing the Antrim Plateau also formed the Giant's Causeway on the north coast of Antrim. North Antrim, are also the bridge cable Carrick-a-Rede , the Mussenden Temple and the Glens of Antrim.

The Upper and Lower River Bann h, and the River Blackwater form fertile lowlands and cultivated extensively. There are some good arable land in the north and east of Down, but most of the hills only be exploited for the breeding of animals. The humid climate and deforestation in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries created many grasslands in the region.

The valley of the River Lagan is dominated by Belfast. Its metropolitan area includes one third of the population of Northern Ireland. It is heavily industrialized along the Lagan Valley and both sides of Lake Belfast.

The climate of Northern Ireland is temperate and maritime, wetter in the west and east, but the presence of cloud cover is common throughout the region. The weather is unpredictable throughout the year, and although the seasons are distinct, they are less pronounced than on mainland Europe or eastern North America. The temperature average maximum in Belfast is 6.5 C in January and 17.5 C in July. The highest temperature recorded was 30.8 C Knockarevan in Fermanagh 30 June 1976 and in Belfast 12 July 1983. The lowest was -17.5 Magherally in Down on 1 January 1979.

Economy

Before the independence of a part of the island, the northeast was virtually the only region with industries, the rest of the island for the most part living in the agricultural sector. After separation, the eccentric government Stormont pursued a policy of free trade and reduction of taxes. With this, the economy of Northern Ireland could achieve a small steady growth each year. Simultaneously, the government pursued a policy of economic discrimination against the community Catholic. Access to work was easy for Protestants and made more complex for Catholics. This resulted in a higher unemployment rate in the latter community. . Industries were the major shipbuilding , industrial textiles and rope making. During the 1950s , economic growth in Northern Ireland was higher than in Ireland.

During the 1950s, the government socialist British introduced a policy of welfare state , providing access to all the right to education and health care. With this policy, many Catholics in Northern Ireland were trained they would never otherwise have. From that moment, a class of educated Catholics called for civil rights and economic. Protestant ruling class refused to consider these claims, which has inflamed the situation. Claims before the amplification, London introduced the direct rule.

A crane of Harland and Wolff in Belfast.

Civil strife have greatly influenced the direction of the economy. The violent campaign of the IRA was also an economic war. Indeed, they targeted the economies of Northern Ireland and Great Britain to make it economically impossible for the management of Northern Ireland by the British government, or at least to the Northern Ireland investment unprofitable for London. The first consequence was that the economy was badly affected. The windows of banks suffered assaults, business leaders were murdered, etc.. The investment eventually cease, and unemployment began to reach heights.

With the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and the conflict ended, the economy was very well taken. The investment income, unemployment has fallen sharply, economic life has returned to normal. An economic transfer of heavy industry was held to services. For example, heavy industry firm Harland and Wolff has languished while the tourism sector grew with vitality. In 2008, a conference of U.S. investors in Belfast was held to encourage businessmen from the United States to invest in Northern Ireland. However, Northern Ireland still has the lowest level of GDP of the United Kingdom , and still receives subsidies from London .

Demographics

The population of Northern Ireland in 2004 was 1,710,300 inhabitants. Most of the population has Irish or British origin, and almost the entire population is of European origin, although there are small communities of immigrants. During prehistory, Northern Ireland was inhabited by tribes of culture Neolithic. Subsequently, the Celts invaded the island and set up their own language and culture, without much mixing with the Aboriginal population. Ireland was invaded repeatedly during the following centuries, particularly by the Vikings and the Normans , who have not left a very strong imprint on the culture. The major invasions were English, from the thirteenth century. In Northern Ireland, the English and Scottish settlers immigrated to Ulster, thanks to the creation of plantations of Ulster in the reign of Jacques I of England. This event has strongly influenced the local population, and most of Northern Ireland is now recognized as British.

Religion

Community Map of Northern Ireland by the 2001 census.

The vast majority of Northern Ireland sees itself as Christian. In the census of 2001 , 85.9% of the population declared themselves Christian. The majority are Protestant , 45.6% from the census, 20.7% Presbyterian , 15.3% belonging to the Church of Ireland Anglican. 40.3% identify themselves as Catholic , 13.9% no religion and 0.3% belong to other religions.

The religion is often seen as a way to show his membership in either nationalist or unionist communities, because the majority is Catholic nationalists and unionists are mainly Protestants. According to a survey, 85% of Protestants would prefer that Northern Ireland remains British, while 50% of Catholics would like the reunification of the island. Identities tend to become more complex now, because of the overall trend in the decline of religion.

Legislation has changed profoundly, and guarantees at present the theoretical equality between the two religions , because the discrimination of Catholics by the Protestant majority has profoundly marked the history of Northern Ireland.

Nationality and the constitutional question

The Northern Irish population is quite divided between those who consider themselves Irish and those who regard themselves as British. There are a range of positions between these extremes. Those who consider themselves Irish Catholic majority, and those who are most assertive British Protestants. Many investigations have confirmed this trend ^{, , , , , ,} .

The majority of Protestants want to remain in the United Kingdom. Among Catholics, half want reunification, a minority supports the status quo, and many people who have no particular opinion. Despite this, only 7% of Catholics say they would vote for unionist parties or independents. .

Within Northern Ireland, 40% of the population is defined as "unionist", 22% is defined as "nationalist" (for reunification), and 35% belong to either of these two currents .

All Northern Irish have the right to be citizens of the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom , the rights established by the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

Language

Like most cultural affairs in Northern Ireland, the issue of language is controversial and complex. Almost all of Northern Ireland speak English , but the use of Irish is encouraged by the nationalists. In nationalist neighborhoods, the street signs are often bilingual Irish-English. The official recognition and use of Irish is part of regular nationalist grievances.

The attraction for the Irish is not limited to nationalists. Some Unionists practice this language and criticize the Sinn Fein to make an issue of differentiation. The first organization dedicated to promoting the Irish was the Gaelic League , founded in Dublin in 1893. At its inception, the movement was open to both Irish communities, the former chief, Douglas Hyde , was a Protestant. Over time, the nationalists have inserted into the goals of the organization to support the establishment of an Irish republic. From that moment, the use of Irish has been seen as an act of nationalism.

Signaling trilingueen English , Irish and Scots in Northern Ireland

According to the 2001 census, 10% of the population is a little Irish and 4.7% can "speak, read, write and understand" . According to another survey, 1% of the population speak Irish at home . There are 32 schools Gaelic speakers in Northern Ireland, representing 7.3% of the total.

A dialect coexists with Irish, Ulster Scots , whose job is more controversial still. Some deny the Ulster Scots the status of language and dialect , and argue that it is a construction Unionists intended to compete with the Irish. Some see it as a separate language, others as a dialect. According to the linguist Aodn Poiln Mac, "While most people argue that Ulster Scots is a dialect or variant of Scots , some argue that it is a language different from the Scots. The arguments supporting the Ulster Scots is a language, formed when the status of Scots was discussed, are so strange that it is unlikely they have a legitimate language. " According Piln, "the Ulster Scots is, for someone whose mother tongue is English, very accessible and in some cases, easy to understand with a glossary." L ' St. Andrews Agreement states that it is necessary to improve and develop the heritage language and culture of the Ulster Scots.

According to a survey, 2% of the population speak Ulster Scots , but nobody told him speak at home (0%). . Today there are courses in Ulster Scots universities .

Two sign languages coexist in Northern Ireland. The most common is the British Sign Language , because it seemed normal to the nationalists to send their children to study in Dublin, including St. Joseph's Institute for Deaf Boys and St. Mary's Institute for Deaf Girls. There is also an Irish Sign Language , widespread mainly in nationalist communities. According to the website of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, there are 3500 users of BSL and ISL in 1500 . The two languages are not linked, the British Sign Language from the British family and Irish sign language is derived from the French family.

There are also minority languages in Northern Ireland made by immigrants, such as Chinese and Polish.

Culture

The culture of Northern Ireland is a mix between that of Ireland, and Great Britain. Because of divisions between the two communities, it seems that there are two cultures that exist in parallel. However there are institutions where they intermingle smoothly.

Arts

The cinema of Northern Ireland has not produced many movies. The film industry remains mostly in the shadow of the United Kingdom and of Ireland. However this film has had particular success with movies like The Mighty Celt, Man About Dog and Bloody Sunday , the latter two films have been directors of the Republic of Ireland and the United States , respectively. There are Northern Ireland Screen to encourage production, rental and film production in Northern Ireland. . Movies of Northern Ireland often deal with issues of conflict in Northern Ireland. However, the director of Northern Ireland remains the most famous Kenneth Branagh , director of Dead Again and Hamlet. He also recently starred in Valkyrie.

Best known are his actors. Liam Neeson and Stephen Rea were both nominated for Oscars the film , Stephen Boyd won a Golden Globe Award. Other actors are well known Ciarn Hinds , Bronagh Gallagher , Patrick Magee and Siobhn Nic Cionnaith. There is throughout the island the Irish Academy of Film and Television (IFTA), which aims, "stimulation of the production work original and creative and encouragement towards excellence by means of recognition, training and leadership in film and television. "

Northern Ireland is much better known for its musicians for its directors. Van Morrison is one of the most influential singers, he is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. Snow Patrol sold more than 7 million records worldwide. Dana won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland. Other famous singers and groups come from Northern Ireland: Stiff Little Fingers , Ash and The Divine Comedy.

Except Western music, traditional Irish music is also well known and popular in Northern Ireland. Irish music is an integral part of the Celtic tradition. She is known for its fast rhythms, those used jigs and reels. There is also a strong tradition of music Scots of Ulster. This is most apparent during the marching season in Northern Ireland. This style of music is based on a walking pace. The instrument is known as the Lambeg drum.

In the field of literature, Northern Ireland, like the rest of Ireland, has a strong tradition. Seamus Heaney won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Other Northern Irish writers are CS Lewis , Brian Friel and Flann O'Brien. The literature of Gaelic Ireland has greatly influenced the writing of the people of Northern Ireland, the writers took part in the Gaelic literary revival. The Scotland has also played a significant influence on the writers 'Scots' of Ulster. Later, the literature of "Scots" Ulster has diversified. The influence of the conflict has greatly influenced the writers of Northern Ireland.

Folklore

Folklore in Northern Ireland is the same as that of the Irish Republic. While much of Irish mythology has not undergone conversion to Christianity, many stories have been changed, however, in part, to satisfy Christianity. What have survived are divided into four "rings", the Ulster Cycle , the mythological cycle , the Fenian Cycle and the Historical Cycle. Many stories are not included in a cycle but involve these characters, called cycles.

Irish folklore tells the story of Ireland from the earliest invasions of the island. According to the texts, Ireland was invaded several times by different people and gods. The texts speak of the history of the Gaelic people. They recount the exploits of gods and heroes and who came from Ireland, as the Tuatha D Danann , Cchulainn and the Fianna. More recent instruments also tell the historical genealogy of Irish kings. The stories tell wonderful stories of long journeys to another world or across the seas and oceans of our globe. Other stories do not talk about heroes but rather locals quite ordinary and typical local events.

Gastronomy

Northern Ireland shares many food traditions with the rest of Ireland. For example, the frequent use of potatoes and lamb is also common in Northern Ireland. The traditional meal for people in Northern Ireland was potatoes with cabbage and a piece of meat when they had money.

Traditionally, farmers would get up at 6 o'clock in the morning to milk cows and work on the farm, so they ate a little wake, but the most important meal was at noon, when we ate an Ulster fry , the dish best known in Northern Ireland. It consisted of sliced sausage, eggs, bread, milk, bread potatoes and tomatoes, a variant of a full breakfast. The Coleraine cheddar it was often consumed as snacks before bed.

Sport

According to attendance figures , the Gaelic football is the most popular sport in Northern Ireland. In terms of popularity the football is also very popular, but these are the games of the Premier League who are the most watched on television. Then come hurling and rugby. The other sports a strong presence in Northern Ireland are the field hockey , the basketball , the cricket , the Gaelic handball , etc..

Gaelic football is organized on a basis that includes all of Ireland. All the traditional counties of Northern Ireland are all represented in the competitions held across the island of Ireland. It was in Gaelic football teams that Northern Ireland had the best results with Tyrone GAA twice winner of the League of Ireland Gaelic football in recent years.

In hurling, the teams from Northern Ireland have a harder time competing with traditional teams stronger. Only Antrim GAA has a team capable of competing with teams from Cork or Kilkenny.

Windsor Park , the stadium of the team of Northern Ireland football and Linfield FC

Like the other constituent nations of the United Kingdom, The Football Northern Ireland has its own structure. Since the independence of the State of Ireland, football has its own federation recognized by FIFA. The Northern Ireland is a minor nation in world football, even if she participated in some phases of the final World Cups of 1958 and 1986 , she reached the quarterfinals. This area is the smallest that have played at quarter-finals of the World Cup. The championship brings together twelve professional teams since 1890. The football club is ranked only ^49th place (on 21 July 2009 ) at European level. it is dominated by the two club Belfast Linfield FC and Glentoran FC. All the best players playing in the English and Scottish leagues.

Rugby, just like the Gaelic sports, enjoys a transnational organization comprising the state of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Northern Irish players play so the colors of the island of Ireland united. the Team Ireland rugby union is one of the best teams in the world, placed in the top level of the world after the International Rugby Board and winner of the RBS Six Nations 2009 in making the Grand Slam. The IRFU has existed since 1880. The Ulster team which includes Northern Ireland and the other Ulster counties dispute the Celtic League and Heineken Cup. Ulster won the European Cup in 1998 - 1999.

In ice hockey , the Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland compete for the Elite League, the League of British ice hockey , competition they have won twice, the last victory dating back to season 2005 - 2006.

In Criket also the base of the organization is transnational. The qualification of Ireland in the World Cup Cricket , where she was removed Pakistan is exemplary.

For the Olympics , thanks to an agreement between the Irish and British Olympic committees and with the permission of the International Olympic Committee , athletes from Northern Ireland have the opportunity to choose the nation they will defend the colors, the United Kingdom or Ireland.

Anthems

Northern Ireland has no national anthem but In Derry / Londonderry Air is played when Northern Ireland is participating in certain sporting events. Officially, God Save the Queen , the anthem of the United Kingdom is also the anthem of Northern Ireland, but he is seen as a partisan song Unionist. The Irish rugby team, which includes the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, uses a specially composed anthem, Ireland's Call , but also sings the national anthem of the Republic, Amhrn na bhFiann when we play Dublin.

References