Ulster

Ulster (Irish Cúige Uladh [ ku ː g ʲ ʊɫə ] or Ulaidh [ ʊɫə ] ) is next to Connacht, Leinster and Munster region and former province in the north of Ireland, whose inhabitants were called Ulter. It consisted of nine historical counties (English Counties ).

Three counties - Donegal in the far north-west as well as Cavan and Monaghan in the interior of the island - today belong to the Republic of Ireland.

The other six counties of Antrim, Armagh, Derry / Londonderry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone are now one of Northern Ireland (and the United Kingdom). Since 1972, however, Northern Ireland is administratively divided no longer in these counties, but in 26 districts.

Frequently Ulster is wrongly used as a synonym for Northern Ireland. Thus the Protestant Ulster Defence Association terrorist groups and Ulster Volunteer Force, which operate throughout Northern Ireland, according to the province name. Ulster has an area of ​​21,532 km ² and about two million inhabitants. It played an important role ( Plantation of Ulster ) in the history of the Northern Ireland conflict.

Today the province of Ulster still has a meaning in sports. In addition to the Gaelic Athletic Association ( Ulster GAA) managed sports, there are also numerous other sports an Ulster Regional Association (Sun Ulster Rugby Rugby Union or Cycling Ulster in cycling ), in addition to Northern Ireland and the three counties in the Republic of Ireland includes.

British part of the province of Ulster and Northern Ireland

Flag of the Province of Ulster