I’m not sure I need a lesson.

As an englishman who thinks he is ‘Irish enough’, you can be sure that I have never been sloppy with terms in my adult life (see above). It’s a bloody minefield, but thankfully no longer literally.

Where I refer to Eire above, that’s the Kilburn guv’nor’s term and not mine. Eire is too problematic a term for me to use personally.

I will quite clearly refer to:

Ireland: An island in the North West of Europe.

The Republic of Ireland: to mean the sovereign state of Ireland. (I dislike the term Southern Ireland because Donegal is clearly the most northern county on the island and also part of the Republic.)

Northern Ireland: the six counties of Ulster that form the area of Ireland governed by the UK.

Ulster: Nine counties. 3 of which are governed by the Repubilc of Ireland and 6 of which make up Northern Ireland.

The Free State: A term I use to annoy people and amuse myself.

Also, I know about Granny’s pragmatism. I have cited it a great deal. I’m certain that a lot of people in Northern Ireland would vote for unity too if their British pension rate was guaranteed. ;o)

Dan x

Sorry to be a pedantic bore but you are should only use the word Eire if you are speaking in Irish Gaelic. Best term for not getting into trouble is probably to call it the south of Ireland but then that excludes Donegal which is politically part of the south but geographically part of the north. I could go on here about our curious variations in terminology and its socio-political connotations but you might get confused/bored/politically correct/politically incorrect/turn off your computer – (delete as appropriate) You know where I am if you want a lesson!

Bfn

Do

We did a taste test once in Kilburn. A guv’nor there claimed to get his from Eire. We got some from the shop. And yes, totally different! It’s true!

Are you aware that tayto crisps are different south of the border from those here in the north? I used to wonder why they weren’t so nice here then I read an article which said they’re two different companies who never had any connection – and they have never argued over their right to the name!I love the southern ones but the ones here are just average – no better than Walkers.

Heck! I’ve lost my glasses!

(actually he’s been kicking off recently – aged 95 – demanding photos of his great grandaughter immediately and accusing the postman of losing them). More attitudinal than ever!

Thanks for writing it

Your aunty Do