Northern Ireland

Facts about Northern Ireland

Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England

Where is Northern Ireland? Northern Ireland lies in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km²), about a sixth of the island's total area. Northern Ireland is the second most sparsely populated part of the UK after Scotland, with 317 people per square mile (122 per square kilometre). History Northern Ireland In 1801 the whole of Ireland became part of the United Kingdom, with the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. After years of civil war, Ireland became a republic in 1921. At this time, Britain negotiated with Ireland to keep the six counties in the north-east of Ireland. These six counties now make up what is known as Northern Ireland. The southern part of the island is the Republic of Ireland, or Eire. 1927 - The current name of the UK, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted Famous People of Northern Ireland C S Lewis 1898-1963 Writer Kenneth Branagh 1960- Actor and film director James Nesbitt 1965- Actor William Burke 1792-1829 Grave robber and murderer George Best 1946-2005 Footballer James Galway 1939- Musician Northern Ireland is famous for ... The Giant's Causeway The Giant's Causeway, situated on the North East coast of Northern Ireland, is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. Most of the basalt columns are hexagonal in shape. Famous Irish breweries include Guinness, Smithwicks (Kilkenny), and Harp Lager. Government The Northern Ireland Assembly was established as part of the Belfast Agreement (also known as the Good Friday Agreement). The Assembly debates and makes laws, and scrutinises and makes decisions on the work of the Northern Ireland government departments. Devolution to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive was suspended in October 2002 and restored on 8 May 2007 Interesting Facts HMS Titanic ship was built in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland.  Country Facts National Day: 17 March St Patrick's Day Area: 5,459 square miles (14,139 km²) Population: 1,685,000 (Census 2001) Capital City: Belfast Major Cities: Belfast, Londonderry, Lisburn, Newtonabbey, Bangor, Craigavon Official Language: English, Irish and Ulster Scots Nationality : British and Irish Anthem (song) : God Save the Queen Main religions: Protestant and Catholic Currency: Pound Sterling (£) Highest point: Slieve Donard mountain 848 m (2782 ft), Longest river: River Bann 129 kilometres (80 miles) Largest Lake: Lough Neagh - 151 square miles (392 km²) Also the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles Questions about Great Britain What is Great Britain? Is Britain the same as Great Britain? Which countries are in Great Britain?