Are there two Irelands? The question isn’t just a whisper on the wind—it’s a scream in the soul of an island torn by history, blood, and unyielding passion. Ireland, the Emerald Isle, isn’t one seamless dream of green fields and rebel songs.
It’s a fractured heart, split into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, two lands bound by geography but divided by politics, religion, and centuries of scars.
This isn’t just a debate about borders on an Are there two Irelands map—it’s a raw, pulsing wound that still bleeds in the streets of Belfast and the pubs of Dublin.
Look at an Are there two Irelands in the world map, and you’ll see the Republic, a sovereign nation in the EU, and Northern Ireland, tethered to the UK, staring across a border that’s both invisible and iron-clad. Is Northern Ireland part of Britain?
Yes, it’s one of the four nations of the UK, while the Republic stands free, part of the EU, not the UK.
The split—born in 1921—carved a line through Ireland’s soul, leaving a legacy of fire, from the Troubles’ bombings to today’s uneasy peace. Are there two Irelands or Northern Ireland? There’s no simple answer, only a story of rebellion, identity, and the fight to define what “Irish” means.
Below, I rip into the heart of this divide, tracing the roots of why did Ireland split in 1921, the embers of the Troubles, and the question of whether Northern Ireland’s people see themselves as Irish or British.
I’ll also tackle your burning FAQs, from Is Northern Ireland a country to the IRA’s shadow and the origins of Irish DNA. This isn’t just history—it’s a war cry for an island that refuses to be tamed. Let’s dive in, fists up, hearts open.
For more on Ireland’s spirit, check out our guide to the best Irish bars in Boston.
The Split: Why Did Northern Ireland Split from Ireland?
Why did Northern Ireland split from Ireland? To answer, we must claw through the ashes of history. Ireland’s story is one of conquest—centuries of British rule, from Norman invasions to Cromwell’s blood-soaked campaigns.
By the 19th century, Ireland was a powder keg of rebellion, with Catholics pushing for independence and Protestant Unionists, concentrated in Ulster, clinging to the British crown.
The 1916 Easter Rising lit the fuse, and by 1921, the Anglo-Irish Treaty carved the island in two: the 26-county Irish Free State (now the Republic) and the six-county Northern Ireland, loyal to the UK.
The split wasn’t just lines on a map—it was a betrayal to some, a victory to others. Nationalists dreamed of a united Ireland; Unionists feared Catholic domination.
The border, jagged and arbitrary, left scars that erupted in the Troubles (1968–1998), a brutal conflict that claimed over 3,500 lives.
Today, the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 keeps an uneasy peace, but the question—Are there two Irelands?—still burns. The Republic is a sovereign nation, part of the EU; Northern Ireland, part of the UK, wrestles with its identity. History.com, 2025
The Divide: Identity, Conflict, and the Troubles
Is Northern Ireland a country? Not quite—it’s a constituent part of the UK, alongside England, Scotland, and Wales. Is Ireland part of the UK or EU? The Republic is proudly EU; Northern Ireland, tethered to Britain, left the EU with Brexit, complicating trade and borders.
The divide isn’t just political—it’s cultural, religious, and visceral. In Northern Ireland, Protestants often identify as British, Catholics as Irish, though the lines blur in younger generations.
The Troubles were the darkest chapter, a war of bombs, bullets, and heartbreak. The IRA, fighting for a united Ireland, clashed with Unionist paramilitaries and British forces. Belfast’s streets became battlegrounds, divided by “peace walls” still standing today.
The 1998 peace deal cooled the flames, but tensions simmer—Brexit reignited debates over borders, and murals in Derry and Belfast scream of unresolved pain. Are there two Irelands in the world? Yes, but they’re bound by a shared history, a shared island, and a shared question: can they ever be one? BBC News, 2025
The Soul of Ireland: Identity and Irishness
Are there two Irelands or Northern Ireland isn’t just about maps—it’s about who gets to claim the word “Irish.” In the Republic, Irishness is a birthright, woven into language, music, and rebellion.
In Northern Ireland, it’s a battlefield. Catholics often embrace Irish identity, while Protestants lean British, though many—especially younger folks—claim a hybrid “Northern Irish” identity.
The Irish language, Gaelic sports, and trad music thrive in pockets of the North, but Unionist areas fly the Union Jack, not the tricolor.
Yet, the question persists: Are there two Irelands? The answer lies in the people. From Dublin’s pubs to Belfast’s murals, the island pulses with a shared spirit, even if politics and history try to tear it apart.
The craic in a Derry bar isn’t so different from Galway’s, and the stories of struggle echo across the border. Ireland’s soul is one, but its body is split, and the fight to define it rages on. Ireland.com, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions About Ireland’s Divide
Are Ireland and Northern Ireland Two Separate Countries?
Yes and no. The Republic of Ireland is a sovereign country, independent since 1922 and part of the EU. Northern Ireland is not a country but a region of the UK, alongside England, Scotland, and Wales. They share the island but are divided by politics and history. Is Northern Ireland part of Britain? Yes, as part of the UK. Gov.uk, 2025
Why Did Ireland Split into Two?
Why did Ireland split in 1921? The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 ended the War of Independence but carved Ireland in two: the 26-county Irish Free State (now the Republic) and the six-county Northern Ireland, which stayed British. The split was driven by religious and political divides—Catholic Nationalists wanted a united Ireland; Protestant Unionists demanded loyalty to the UK. The border fueled decades of conflict, notably the Troubles. History.com, 2025
Are You Still Irish if You’re from Northern Ireland?
Yes, if you choose to be. Identity in Northern Ireland is fluid—Catholics often identify as Irish, Protestants as British, and many, especially younger people, embrace a “Northern Irish” label.
The Good Friday Agreement allows residents to hold Irish, British, or both citizenships. Irishness isn’t just geography; it’s culture, history, and heart. BBC News, 2025
What Is the Problem Between North and South Ireland?
The “problem” is rooted in history: centuries of British rule, religious divides (Catholic vs. Protestant), and the 1921 partition. The Troubles (1968–1998) saw violence between Nationalists (for a united Ireland) and Unionists (for UK ties), with over 3,500 deaths.
The 1998 Good Friday Agreement brought peace, but Brexit and border disputes keep tensions alive. Is Northern Ireland still divided? Yes, culturally and politically, with “peace walls” still separating communities. The Guardian, 2025
Do Northern Irish Consider Themselves Irish?
It depends. A 2021 census showed 31% of Northern Irish identify as Irish, 29% as British, and 20% as Northern Irish. Catholics lean Irish, Protestants British, but younger generations increasingly blend identities. Do Northern Irish want to join Ireland? Polls vary—33% supported unification in a 2024 survey, but 50% preferred staying in the UK. Identity is a personal battleground. Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, 2024
Does the IRA Still Exist?
The Provisional IRA disbanded after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, but splinter groups like the Real IRA and New IRA persist, though with minimal support. They’ve carried out sporadic attacks, but their influence is a shadow of the Troubles era. Most Irish, North and South, reject violence for peace. BBC News, 2025
Where Is Most Irish DNA From?
Irish DNA is a mix of Celtic, Viking, Norman, and Anglo-Saxon influences. Genetic studies trace most Irish ancestry to Neolithic farmers from the Middle East (circa 4000 BCE) and Indo-European groups like the Celts (circa 500 BCE). Northern and Southern Irish DNA is similar, with slight regional variations due to Viking and Scottish influences in Ulster. Nature, 2017
Does Anyone in Northern Ireland Speak Irish?
Yes, but it’s rare. About 6% of Northern Ireland’s population (111,000 people) speak Irish (Gaelic), per the 2021 census, mostly in Catholic-Nationalist areas like West Belfast and Derry.
It’s taught in schools and promoted by groups like Conradh na Gaeilge, but English dominates. NISRA, 2021 Census
Do Northern Irish Want to Join Ireland?
It’s a split. A 2024 poll showed 33% favor unification, 50% want to stay in the UK, and the rest are undecided. Catholics are more likely to support joining Ireland, while Protestants prefer the UK. Brexit has fueled unification talks, but economic and cultural ties to Britain hold strong. Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, 2024
Does Northern Ireland Count as Its Own Country?
No, Is Northern Ireland a country? Northern Ireland is a region of the UK, not a sovereign nation. It has its own devolved government but operates under UK sovereignty. The Republic of Ireland, however, is a fully independent country. Gov.uk, 2025
Do You Need a Passport to Go from Ireland to Northern Ireland?
No, thanks to the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK. You can cross the border freely, though Brexit has raised questions about future checks. For now, no passport is needed for Irish or UK citizens. Gov.ie, 2025
Is Northern Ireland Still Divided?
Yes, Is Northern Ireland still divided? Culturally and politically, divisions persist. “Peace walls” separate Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods in Belfast and Derry, and political parties like Sinn Féin (Nationalist) and DUP (Unionist) clash over identity and unification. The Good Friday Agreement keeps violence at bay, but unity remains elusive. The Guardian, 2025
Why Doesn’t Northern Ireland Join Ireland?
Why doesn’t Northern Ireland join Ireland? The divide is deep—Unionists, mostly Protestant, want to stay in the UK for cultural, economic, and historical reasons. The Good Friday Agreement requires a majority vote for unification, but polls show stronger support for the UK. Brexit has stirred the pot, but economic ties to Britain and fear of change keep the status quo. Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, 2024
The Fire of Two Irelands
Are there two Irelands? Yes, on paper—an Are there two Irelands map shows the Republic and Northern Ireland, split by a border drawn in blood. But dig deeper, and it’s one island, one soul, fractured by history but bound by shared pain and pride. The Troubles’ scars linger, the IRA’s shadow fades, and the question of unification burns. From Dublin’s rebel pubs to Belfast’s muraled streets, Ireland’s heart beats as one, even if its body is torn.
Want to feel that fire? Visit the best Irish bars in Boston to taste the diaspora’s spirit. On this island, the craic is fierce, the history fiercer, and the fight to define Ireland—North, South, or whole—will never die. Raise a glass to the struggle, and let the story of two Irelands carve itself into your soul.
About the Author
