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The state whose official name today is ''''[[Ireland]]'''' and whose official description is the ''''[[Republic of Ireland]]'''' is, and has been, known by a number of names, some of which have been controversial. |
The state whose official name today is ''''[[Ireland]]'''' and whose official description is the ''''[[Republic of Ireland]]'''' is, and has been, known by a number of names, some of which have been controversial. |
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==Official name == |
==Official name == |
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Article 4 of the [[Constitution of Ireland|Irish constitution]], adopted in 1937, provides that “the name of the state is Éire, or, in the English language, ''Ireland''”.<ref>The wording of Article 4 has been criticised. In its report, the Constitution Review Group |
Article 4 of the [[Constitution of Ireland|Irish constitution]], adopted in 1937, provides that “the name of the state is Éire, or, in the English language, ''Ireland''”.<ref>The wording of Article 4 has been criticised. In its report, the [http://www.constitution.ie/constitutional-reviews/crg.asp Constitution Review Group]in 1996 stated that that Article 4 was unnecessarily complicated and should be amended to read ''”The name of the state is Ireland”'' with an equivalent change in the Irish text.</ref> Hence, the Irish state has two official names, ''Éire'' (in [[Irish (language)|Irish]]) and ''Ireland'' (in [[English (language)|English]]). |
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For all official purposes including in international treaties and other legal documents, where the language of the documents is English, the Irish government uses the name ''Ireland''. The same is true in respect of the name ''Éire'' for documents written in Irish. Similarly, the name of the state is reflected in its institutions and public offices. For example, there is a ''[[President of Ireland]]'' and a ''[[Constitution of Ireland]]''. The name ''Ireland'' is also used in the state's diplomatic relations with foreign nations. The state is officially known as ''Ireland'' at meetings of the [[United Nations]]. |
For all official purposes including in international treaties and other legal documents, where the language of the documents is English, the Irish government uses the name ''Ireland''. The same is true in respect of the name ''Éire'' for documents written in Irish. Similarly, the name of the state is reflected in its institutions and public offices. For example, there is a ''[[President of Ireland]]'' and a ''[[Constitution of Ireland]]''. The name ''Ireland'' is also used in the state's diplomatic relations with foreign nations. The state is officially known as ''Ireland'' at meetings of the [[United Nations]]. |
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“''If I say that my name is Costello and that my description is that of [[senior counsel]], I think that will be clear to anybody who wants to know...[Similarly, the state’s] name in Irish is Éire and in the English language, Ireland. Its description in the English language is “the Republic of Ireland.”''<ref> Seanad Éireann - Volume 36 - 15 December, 1948, The Republic of Ireland Bill, 1948—Committee and Final Stages.</ref> |
“''If I say that my name is Costello and that my description is that of [[senior counsel]], I think that will be clear to anybody who wants to know...[Similarly, the state’s] name in Irish is Éire and in the English language, Ireland. Its description in the English language is “the Republic of Ireland.”''<ref> Seanad Éireann - Volume 36 - 15 December, 1948, The Republic of Ireland Bill, 1948—Committee and Final Stages.</ref> |
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Nevertheless the ''Republic of Ireland'' is often used as a name for the state in ordinary speech, especially in any context in which it is necessary to distinguish between the state and the island as a whole. So, for example, commonly people speak of there being a border "between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland" rather than between ''Northern Ireland'' and ''Ireland''. In addition, [[Republic of Ireland national football team|the state's national football team]], while often referred to (including by itself) as ''Ireland'', officially plays as the ''Republic of Ireland'' because [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland also fields a team]] in international competitions and in 1954 [[FIFA]] was no longer prepared to tolerate two teams called ''Ireland''.<ref> See [[Football Association of Ireland]] and [[Irish Football Association]]</ref> |
Nevertheless the ''Republic of Ireland'' is often used as a name for the state in ordinary speech, especially in any context in which it is necessary to distinguish between the state and the island as a whole. So, for example, commonly people speak of there being a border "between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland" rather than between ''Northern Ireland'' and ''Ireland''. In addition, [[Republic of Ireland national football team|the state's national football team]], while often referred to (including by itself) as ''Ireland'', officially plays as the ''Republic of Ireland'' because [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland also fields a team]] in international competitions and in 1954 [[FIFA]] was no longer prepared to tolerate two teams called ''Ireland''.<ref> See [[Football Association of Ireland]] and [[Irish Football Association]].</ref> |
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==European Union== |
==European Union== |
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The state joined the [[European Economic Community]] (now the [[European Union]]) in 1973. Its accession treaty was drawn up in all of the EU’s then official treaty languages (including English and Irish) and, as such, the Irish state joined under both of its names, ''Éire'' and ''Ireland''. On 1 January 2007, Irish became an official working language of the EU.<ref>Until then, Irish was a treaty language, official to the extent that the EU’s founding treaties were (in addition to the other languages of the EU) drawn up in Irish and equally authentic in that language. It had not been an official EU working language.</ref> This did not change the name of the Irish state in EU law. However, it has meant for example that at official meetings of the EU Council of Ministers, nameplates for the Irish state now read as ''Éire - Ireland'', whereas previously they would simply have read as ''Ireland''. |
The state joined the [[European Economic Community]] (now the [[European Union]]) in 1973. Its accession treaty was drawn up in all of the EU’s then official treaty languages (including English and Irish) and, as such, the Irish state joined under both of its names, ''Éire'' and ''Ireland''. On 1 January 2007, Irish became an official working language of the EU.<ref>See: [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_156/l_15620050618en00030004.pdf Council Regulation (EC) No 920/2005]. Until then, Irish was a treaty language, official to the extent that the EU’s founding treaties were (in addition to the other languages of the EU) drawn up in Irish and equally authentic in that language. It had not been an official EU working language.</ref> This did not change the name of the Irish state in EU law. However, it has meant for example that at official meetings of the EU Council of Ministers, nameplates for the Irish state now read as ''Éire - Ireland'', whereas previously they would simply have read as ''Ireland''. |
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The Inter Institutional Style Guide of The Office for Official Publications of the European Communities sets out how the names of the Member states of the European Union must always be written and abbreviated in EU publications. Concerning Ireland, it states that its official names are Éire and Ireland; its official name in English is Ireland; its country code is IE; and its former abbreviation was IRL. It also adds the following guidance: “''NB: Do not use ‘Republic of Ireland’ nor ‘Irish Republic’.''” <ref>Clause 7.1.1 of the Inter Institutional Style Guide[http://publications.europa.eu/code/en/en-370100.htm]</ref> |
The Inter Institutional Style Guide of The Office for Official Publications of the European Communities sets out how the names of the Member states of the European Union must always be written and abbreviated in EU publications. Concerning Ireland, it states that its official names are Éire and Ireland; its official name in English is Ireland; its country code is IE; and its former abbreviation was IRL. It also adds the following guidance: “''NB: Do not use ‘Republic of Ireland’ nor ‘Irish Republic’.''” <ref>Clause 7.1.1 of the Inter Institutional Style Guide[http://publications.europa.eu/code/en/en-370100.htm].</ref> |
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==Name dispute with the UK== |
==Name dispute with the UK== |
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===Eire v Ireland=== |
===Eire v Ireland=== |
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When the [[Constitution of Ireland|Irish constitution]] was enacted in 1937, Articles 2-4 expressed an [[irredentist]] claim to the territory of [[Northern Ireland]]. Notably, [[Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland|Article 2]] defined the state as including the ''"whole island of Ireland"''. Similarly, for many [[Unionism in Ireland|Unionists]] in Northern Ireland and for people in Britain, the decision in Article 4 to give the state the name ''Ireland'' (it had been the ''Irish Free |
When the [[Constitution of Ireland|Irish constitution]] was enacted in 1937, Articles 2-4 expressed an [[irredentist]] claim to the territory of [[Northern Ireland]]. Notably, [[Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland|Article 2]] defined the state as including the ''"whole island of Ireland"''. Similarly, for many [[Unionism in Ireland|Unionists]] in Northern Ireland and for people in Britain, the decision in Article 4 to give the state the name ''Ireland'' (it had been the ''Irish Free State'') was viewed as another attempt to lay claim to the whole of the island of Ireland. |
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The British government responded to the new constitution by finessing Article 4 and ignoring Articles 2 and 3: if the Irish constitution said the name of the state in the national language was ''Éire'', then that was what the British government would call it. By doing so, it avoided any need to call the Irish state, in the English language, ''Ireland''.<ref> Iain McLean and Alistair McMillan, State of the Union: Unionism and the Alternatives in the United Kingdom, 2001: 173,181</ref> The change of name effected by the 1937 constitution (but not the other constitutional changes), was given effect in the United Kingdom in the Eire (Confirmation of Agreements) Act 1938. Under Section 1 of that Act, it was declared that (for the purposes of United Kingdom legislation) the territory ''"which was ... known as Irish Free |
The British government responded to the new constitution by finessing Article 4 and ignoring Articles 2 and 3: if the Irish constitution said the name of the state in the national language was ''Éire'', then that was what the British government would call it. By doing so, it avoided any need to call the Irish state, in the English language, ''Ireland''.<ref> Iain McLean and Alistair McMillan, State of the Union: Unionism and the Alternatives in the United Kingdom, 2001: 173, 181.</ref> The change of name effected by the 1937 constitution (but not the other constitutional changes), was given effect in the United Kingdom in the Eire (Confirmation of Agreements) Act 1938. Under Section 1 of that Act, it was declared that (for the purposes of United Kingdom legislation) the territory ''"which was ... known as Irish Free State shall be styled as...Eire"''.<ref> Oliver, JDB, Whats in a Name, in Tiley, John, Studies in the History of Tax Law.</ref> |
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The British approach of calling the state ''Eire'', even in the English language was greatly assisted by the desire of [[Eamon de Valera|de Valera]], the leader of the Irish government at the time, that the state be known by that name, even in English.<ref> Note: Under the Ireland Act the name ''Eire'', without the correct [[gaeilge#Orthography and pronunciation| síne fada]] (accent) over the first ''E'', was used |
The British approach of calling the state ''Eire'', even in the English language was greatly assisted by the desire of [[Eamon de Valera|de Valera]], the leader of the Irish government at the time, that the state be known by that name, even in English.<ref> Note: Under the Ireland Act the name ''Eire'', without the correct [[gaeilge#Orthography and pronunciation| síne fada]] (accent) over the first ''E'', was used.</ref> |
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===Republic of Ireland v Ireland=== |
===Republic of Ireland v Ireland=== |
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However in 1948, with the passing of the [[Republic of Ireland Act]] (discussed above), the name ''Éire'' generally fell out of usage by both the Irish government (except in the Irish language) and internationally. The British government considered how to respond. The following note of what Prime Minister [[Clement Attlee]] said at a British Cabinet meeting on 12 January 1949 illustrates some of the considerations involved: |
However in 1948, with the passing of the [[Republic of Ireland Act]] (discussed above), the name ''Éire'' generally fell out of usage by both the Irish government (except in the Irish language) and internationally. The British government considered how to respond. The following note of what Prime Minister [[Clement Attlee]] said at a British Cabinet meeting on 12 January 1949 illustrates some of the considerations involved: |
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''“N.I. [Northern Ireland] Ministers accepted [the name] "N.I." eventually [the Northern Ireland Government would have preferred the name Ulster]. They wanted us, however, to go on using "Eire" [for the Republic of Ireland]. But other countries won´t do so. Suggested therefore we shd. [should] use "Republic of Ireland". N.I. prefer "Irish Republic". But let us not speak of "Ireland". Can we put Republic of Ireland on Bill: but use in official pp. [papers] etc. [:] Irish Republic or Southern Ireland. Agreed.”''<ref> C.M. 1(49) - Meeting held on 12 January 1949. C.M. 1(49)</ref> |
''“N.I. [Northern Ireland] Ministers accepted [the name] "N.I." eventually [the Northern Ireland Government would have preferred the name Ulster]. They wanted us, however, to go on using "Eire" [for the Republic of Ireland]. But other countries won´t do so. Suggested therefore we shd. [should] use "Republic of Ireland". N.I. prefer "Irish Republic". But let us not speak of "Ireland". Can we put Republic of Ireland on Bill: but use in official pp. [papers] etc. [:] Irish Republic or Southern Ireland. Agreed.”''<ref> C.M. 1(49) - Meeting held on 12 January 1949. C.M. 1(49).</ref> |
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Ultimately, the British responded by passing the [[Ireland Act 1949]] which provided that "''that part of Ireland heretofore known as Eire...may [be referred to] as the Republic of Ireland.''”<ref>http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=ireland+act&Year=1949&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=1096759&ActiveTextDocId=1096759&filesize=20517</ref> |
Ultimately, the British responded by passing the [[Ireland Act 1949]] which provided that "''that part of Ireland heretofore known as Eire...may [be referred to] as the Republic of Ireland.''”<ref>[http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=ireland+act&Year=1949&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=1096759&ActiveTextDocId=1096759&filesize=20517 Ireland Act 1949].</ref> |
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Hence, the Ireland Act formally provided for use of the ''Republic of Ireland'' as an alternative to the use of the name ''Eire'' in British law. Later the name ''Eire'' was abolished entirely in British law under the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1981.<ref>Austen Morgan, The Belfast Agreement, 2000, p99</ref> This has meant that the ''Republic of Ireland'' is the only name for the Irish state officially recognised in domestic UK law. Notwithstanding the Ireland Act, as suggested by Prime Minister Atlee, the British government would often continue to refer to the Irish state by other names such as the Irish Republic or Southern Ireland.<ref>Immigration and Nationality Directorate, UK Government Website, EEA Nationals [http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/eeaeunationals]</ref> |
Hence, the Ireland Act formally provided for use of the ''Republic of Ireland'' as an alternative to the use of the name ''Eire'' in British law. Later the name ''Eire'' was abolished entirely in British law under the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1981.<ref>Austen Morgan, The Belfast Agreement, 2000, p99.</ref> This has meant that the ''Republic of Ireland'' is the only name for the Irish state officially recognised in domestic UK law. Notwithstanding the Ireland Act, as suggested by Prime Minister Atlee, the British government would often continue to refer to the Irish state by other names such as the Irish Republic or Southern Ireland.<ref>Immigration and Nationality Directorate, UK Government Website, EEA Nationals [http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/eeaeunationals].</ref> |
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The name ''Irish Republic'' has even sometimes been used in domestic UK legislation.<ref> |
The name ''Irish Republic'' has even sometimes been used in domestic UK legislation.<ref>For example: The Irish Republic (Termination of 1927 Agreement) Order 1987.</ref> The British press continue to regularly use ''Eire'' and ''Irish Republic'' to this day. |
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However, even with the Ireland Act and its acceptance of the ''Republic of Ireland'' as a name, a dispute over the names of their respective states was to rumble on between the UK and Irish governments. For the Irish, the ''Republic of Ireland'' was still not the name of the state, merely its description and it soon came to also be seen by many in Ireland as drawing attention to the partition of the island. Therefore, rather than styling itself ''Éire'' or the ''Republic of Ireland'' or occasionally, simply ''Ireland'', the Irish government began to consistently refer to the state as simply ''Ireland'' and itself as the ''Government of Ireland''. The Irish state joined the United Nations in 1955 as ''Ireland'' in 1955 over protests concerning its name by the United Kingdom.<ref>Austen Morgan, The Belfast Agreement, 2000, p99</ref> Similarly, the United Kingdom protested when the Irish state was admitted to the European Economic Community in 1973 as ''Ireland''.<ref>Austen Morgan, The Belfast Agreement, 2000, p99</ref> |
However, even with the Ireland Act and its acceptance of the ''Republic of Ireland'' as a name, a dispute over the names of their respective states was to rumble on between the UK and Irish governments. For the Irish, the ''Republic of Ireland'' was still not the name of the state, merely its description and it soon came to also be seen by many in Ireland as drawing attention to the partition of the island. Therefore, rather than styling itself ''Éire'' or the ''Republic of Ireland'' or occasionally, simply ''Ireland'', the Irish government began to consistently refer to the state as simply ''Ireland'' and itself as the ''Government of Ireland''. The Irish state joined the United Nations in 1955 as ''Ireland'' in 1955 over protests concerning its name by the United Kingdom.<ref>Austen Morgan, The Belfast Agreement, 2000, p99.</ref> Similarly, the United Kingdom protested when the Irish state was admitted to the European Economic Community in 1973 as ''Ireland''.<ref>Austen Morgan, The Belfast Agreement, 2000, p99.</ref> |
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For its part, the Irish government also disputed the right of the British state to call itself the ''United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland''. To the Irish government and many Irish people, the words ''”and Northern Ireland”'' in the name of the British state were offensive as they were perceived as enshrining the partition of the island of Ireland in the name of the British state. The name also ran against the Irish state’s territorial claim to [[Northern Ireland]]. The dispute over the names of their respective states was most apparent when the two states concluded bilateral treaties. For example, when the [[Anglo Irish Agreement]] was made in 1984 between the two states, the British text of the agreement gave it the formal title ''”Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ireland”'' whereas the Irish government’s text of the very same agreement gave it the formal title ''”Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom”.''<ref>It is standard practice in the titles of international agreements between two contracting states for each state to put itself first in its own version (held by the other contracting state).</ref> |
For its part, the Irish government also disputed the right of the British state to call itself the ''United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland''. To the Irish government and many Irish people, the words ''”and Northern Ireland”'' in the name of the British state were offensive as they were perceived as enshrining the partition of the island of Ireland in the name of the British state. The name also ran against the Irish state’s territorial claim to [[Northern Ireland]]. The dispute over the names of their respective states was most apparent when the two states concluded bilateral treaties. For example, when the [[Anglo Irish Agreement]] was made in 1984 between the two states, the British text of the agreement gave it the formal title ''”Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ireland”'' whereas the Irish government’s text of the very same agreement gave it the formal title ''”Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom”.''<ref>It is standard practice in the titles of international agreements between two contracting states for each state to put itself first in its own version (held by the other contracting state).</ref> |
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The dispute over the names of their respective states now appears to have been resolved. This resolution took place when the [[Belfast Agreement]] (or Good Friday Agreement) was concluded in 1998. That Agreement concerned a wide range of constitutional and other matters regarding Northern Ireland. Notably, as part of it, the Irish state dropped its legal claim to the territory of Northern Ireland. In the title of the Agreement, the two governments used their respective domestic law names, the ''Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'' and the ''Government of Ireland''. Some Unionist members of the British parliament objected strenuously to the use of the term the ''Government of Ireland''. They proposed that the practice of referring to the Irish government as the ''Government of the Republic of Ireland'' should be continued. Their objections were not accepted. Responding for the British government in the [[House of Lords]], [[Lord Dubs]] explained that the new practice of referring to the Irish state by the name ''Ireland'': |
The dispute over the names of their respective states now appears to have been resolved. This resolution took place when the [[Belfast Agreement]] (or Good Friday Agreement) was concluded in 1998. That Agreement concerned a wide range of constitutional and other matters regarding Northern Ireland. Notably, as part of it, the Irish state dropped its legal claim to the territory of Northern Ireland. In the title of the Agreement, the two governments used their respective domestic law names, the ''Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'' and the ''Government of Ireland''. Some Unionist members of the British parliament objected strenuously to the use of the term the ''Government of Ireland''. They proposed that the practice of referring to the Irish government as the ''Government of the Republic of Ireland'' should be continued. Their objections were not accepted. Responding for the British government in the [[House of Lords]], [[Lord Dubs]] explained that the new practice of referring to the Irish state by the name ''Ireland'': |
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''”actually represents the welcome disappearance of one small but significant difference in practice between the British and Irish Governments that the [Belfast Agreement] has made possible. Hitherto, the Irish Government have referred to themselves, and generally been referred to in international circles, as the ”Government of Ireland”. We, however, have called them ”Government of the Republic of Ireland”. Similarly, while the proper name of this state is the “Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”, the Irish have used solely the name “Government of the United Kingdom”. With the agreement we have aligned our practice. We will call them by the name they favour, and they will use the name for us that we favour. Since the constitutional status of Northern Ireland is no longer a matter of disagreement between us, we can put an end to the argument about names.”''<ref>[[Hansard]], House of Lords, 19 October 1998</ref> |
''”actually represents the welcome disappearance of one small but significant difference in practice between the British and Irish Governments that the [Belfast Agreement] has made possible. Hitherto, the Irish Government have referred to themselves, and generally been referred to in international circles, as the ”Government of Ireland”. We, however, have called them ”Government of the Republic of Ireland”. Similarly, while the proper name of this state is the “Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”, the Irish have used solely the name “Government of the United Kingdom”. With the agreement we have aligned our practice. We will call them by the name they favour, and they will use the name for us that we favour. Since the constitutional status of Northern Ireland is no longer a matter of disagreement between us, we can put an end to the argument about names.”''<ref>[[Hansard]], House of Lords, 19 October 1998.</ref> |
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== Historical and unofficial names == |
== Historical and unofficial names == |
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===Irish Republic (1919-1922)=== |
===Irish Republic (1919-1922)=== |
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{{main|Irish Republic}} |
{{main|Irish Republic}} |
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In English, the revolutionary state proclaimed in 1916 and ratified in 1919 was known as the ''''Irish Republic'''' or, occasionally, the ''''Republic of Ireland''''. Two different Irish language titles were used: '''''Poblacht na hÉireann''''' and '''''Saorstát Éireann''''', based on two competing Irish translations of the word ''[[republic]]'': ''Poblacht'' and ''Saorstát''. ''Poblacht'' was a foreign loan word, a simple Gaelicisation of ''republic''. ''Saorstát'', on the other hand, was a compound word based on two already existing Irish words: ''saor'' (meaning "free") and ''stát'' ("state"). Its direct, literal translation was "[[Free |
In English, the revolutionary state proclaimed in 1916 and ratified in 1919 was known as the ''''Irish Republic'''' or, occasionally, the ''''Republic of Ireland''''. Two different Irish language titles were used: '''''Poblacht na hÉireann''''' and '''''Saorstát Éireann''''', based on two competing Irish translations of the word ''[[republic]]'': ''Poblacht'' and ''Saorstát''. ''Poblacht'' was a foreign loan word, a simple Gaelicisation of ''republic''. ''Saorstát'', on the other hand, was a compound word based on two already existing Irish words: ''saor'' (meaning "free") and ''stát'' ("state"). Its direct, literal translation was "[[Free State (government)|free state]]". |
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The term ''Poblacht na hÉireann'' is the one used in the [[Easter Proclamation]] of [[1916]]. However the [[Irish Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and other documents adopted in 1919 eschew this title in favour of ''Saorstát Éireann''. A slight variant of this title, '''''Saorstát na hÉireann''''', was also sometimes used in later days as was the [[Latin]] '''''Respublica Hibernica'''''. |
The term ''Poblacht na hÉireann'' is the one used in the [[Easter Proclamation]] of [[1916]]. However the [[Irish Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and other documents adopted in 1919 eschew this title in favour of ''Saorstát Éireann''. A slight variant of this title, '''''Saorstát na hÉireann''''', was also sometimes used in later days as was the [[Latin]] '''''Respublica Hibernica'''''. |
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''(For an explanation continuing incorrect usage of this term in the United Kingdom, see [[#Name dispute with the UK|above]]. Some [[Irish Republicanism|republicans]] also continue to use the term because they refuse to recognise the Anglo-Irish Treaty - see |
''(For an explanation continuing incorrect usage of this term in the United Kingdom, see [[#Name dispute with the UK|above]]. Some [[Irish Republicanism|republicans]] also continue to use the term because they refuse to recognise the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] - see below).'' |
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===Southern Ireland (1921-1922)=== |
===Southern Ireland (1921-1922)=== |
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'''Southern Ireland''' was the name of the twenty-six [[county]] [[Ireland|Irish]] state established under British law by the [[Government of Ireland Act 1920]]. It had a brief existence, being established in 1921, met once the following year to ratify the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] for the purposes of United Kindom law, then dissolved itself. The name ''Southern Ireland'' does not have any official status today but some people in Northern Ireland and Geat Britain use the term. |
'''Southern Ireland''' was the name of the twenty-six [[county]] [[Ireland|Irish]] state established under British law by the [[Government of Ireland Act 1920]]. It had a brief existence, being established in 1921, met once the following year to ratify the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] for the purposes of United Kindom law, then dissolved itself. The name ''Southern Ireland'' does not have any official status today but some people in Northern Ireland and Geat Britain use the term. |
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===Irish Free |
===Irish Free State (1922-1937)=== |
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{{main|Irish Free State}} |
{{main|Irish Free State}} |
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<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Cropped Great Seal.png|thumb|right|260px|A detail from the [[Great Seal of the Irish Free |
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Cropped Great Seal.png|thumb|right|260px|A detail from the [[Great Seal of the Irish Free State]]. ''Saorstát Éireann'' was the Free State's name in Irish.]] --> |
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During the negotiations on secession leading to the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]], Irish politicians wanted the state to be a republic, and its name to be the ''Republic of Ireland'' or the ''Irish Republic''. However the [[British government]] refused to contemplate a republic because this would have entailed the Irish state severing the link with the British crown and ceasing to be a part of the [[British Empire]]. Instead, the parties agreed the state would be a self-governing [[dominion]] under a form of [[constitutional monarchy]]. The British also disliked the name ''Ireland'' because it implied sovereignty over [[Northern Ireland]], which remained within the United Kingdom. |
During the negotiations on secession leading to the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]], Irish politicians wanted the state to be a republic, and its name to be the ''Republic of Ireland'' or the ''Irish Republic''. However the [[British government]] refused to contemplate a republic because this would have entailed the Irish state severing the link with the British crown and ceasing to be a part of the [[British Empire]]. Instead, the parties agreed the state would be a self-governing [[dominion]] under a form of [[constitutional monarchy]]. The British also disliked the name ''Ireland'' because it implied sovereignty over [[Northern Ireland]], which remained within the United Kingdom. |
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Because the Irish Republic had been known in Irish as ''Saorstát Éireann'' it was from this name that the name of the new state was derived. '''''Saorstát Éireann''''' was made the official Irish title of the new state, but its English title was not ''Irish Republic'' but the most direct, literal translation of its Irish name: '''''Irish Free |
Because the Irish Republic had been known in Irish as ''Saorstát Éireann'' it was from this name that the name of the new state was derived. '''''Saorstát Éireann''''' was made the official Irish title of the new state, but its English title was not ''Irish Republic'' but the most direct, literal translation of its Irish name: '''''Irish Free State'''''. After the establishment of the Free State the Irish government often used the name ''Saorstát Éireann'' in documents in English as well as Irish. Despite the official title of the state, stamps of the period used the name '''''Éire''''', a practice that is continued today. |
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Because the Irish Free |
Because the Irish Free State was not a republic, since 1922 the word ''saorstát'' has fallen out of use in Irish as a translation of ''republic''. When the official description of the state was declared to be the ''Republic of Ireland'' in 1949 its official Irish description became not ''Saorstát Éireann'' but ''Poblacht na hÉireann''. |
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=== Éire (1937-49) === |
=== Éire (1937-49) === |
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{{Main|Éire}} |
{{Main|Éire}} |
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As mentioned above, Article 4 of the [[Constitution of Ireland|current constitution of Ireland]], gives the state its two official names, ''Éire'' in Irish and ''Ireland'' in English. However, when [[President of the executive council of the irish free state|President Éamon de Valera]] presented the first draft of the constitution to the parliamentary committee on the constitution, Article 4 simply provided: ” ''The name of the state is Éire''”. There was no reference to ''Ireland'' at all. Opposition politicians immediately proposed that the word ''Ireland'' be substituted for the word ''Éire'' throughout the English text. They argued that ''Ireland'' was the name known by every European country; that the name should not be surrendered; that the name ''Ireland'' might instead be adopted by Northern Ireland; and that the choice of ''Éire'' might damage the status of the state internationally by drawing a ''“distinction between the state...and what has been known for centuries as Ireland”''.<ref>Dáil Éireann - Volume 67 - 25 May, 1937, Bunreacht na hÉireann (Dréacht)—Coiste</ref> |
As mentioned above, Article 4 of the [[Constitution of Ireland|current constitution of Ireland]], gives the state its two official names, ''Éire'' in Irish and ''Ireland'' in English. However, when [[President of the executive council of the irish free state|President Éamon de Valera]] presented the first draft of the constitution to the parliamentary committee on the constitution, Article 4 simply provided: ” ''The name of the state is Éire''”. There was no reference to ''Ireland'' at all. Opposition politicians immediately proposed that the word ''Ireland'' be substituted for the word ''Éire'' throughout the English text. They argued that ''Ireland'' was the name known by every European country; that the name should not be surrendered; that the name ''Ireland'' might instead be adopted by Northern Ireland; and that the choice of ''Éire'' might damage the status of the state internationally by drawing a ''“distinction between the state...and what has been known for centuries as Ireland”''.<ref>Dáil Éireann - Volume 67 - 25 May, 1937, Bunreacht na hÉireann (Dréacht)—Coiste.</ref> |
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Responding, [[President of the executive council of the irish free state|President de Valera]] stressed that the Irish text of the constitution was to be the foundation text. In light of this, he said the name ''Éire'' was more logical and that it would mean an Irish name would become accepted even in the English language.<ref> On a later occasion de Valera was also to say that the name ''Éire'' would have helped to avoid confusion between the names of the island and the state (REF). Although, clearly, where the Irish language was the medium of communication, the position would be the same (as ''Éire'' is both the name of the state and the island in the Irish language).</ref> However, he said he had ''”no strong views”'' and he agreed ''“that in the English translation the name of the state [would be] Ireland”''.<ref>Dáil Éireann - Volume 67 - 25 May, 1937 Bunreacht na hÉireann (Dréacht)—Coiste</ref> Ultimately, with the exception of a reference to ''Éire'' in the highly rhetorical preamble and (together with a reference to ''Ireland'') in the reworded Article 4 itself, the name ''Ireland'' replaced the name ''Éire'' throughout the English text. |
Responding, [[President of the executive council of the irish free state|President de Valera]] stressed that the Irish text of the constitution was to be the foundation text. In light of this, he said the name ''Éire'' was more logical and that it would mean an Irish name would become accepted even in the English language.<ref> On a later occasion de Valera was also to say that the name ''Éire'' would have helped to avoid confusion between the names of the island and the state (REF). Although, clearly, where the Irish language was the medium of communication, the position would be the same (as ''Éire'' is both the name of the state and the island in the Irish language).</ref> However, he said he had ''”no strong views”'' and he agreed ''“that in the English translation the name of the state [would be] Ireland”''.<ref>Dáil Éireann - Volume 67 - 25 May, 1937 Bunreacht na hÉireann (Dréacht)—Coiste.</ref> Ultimately, with the exception of a reference to ''Éire'' in the highly rhetorical preamble and (together with a reference to ''Ireland'') in the reworded Article 4 itself, the name ''Ireland'' replaced the name ''Éire'' throughout the English text. |
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It is sometimes said that de Valera wished to reserve the names ''Republic of Ireland'' or ''Irish Republic'' for the day when a united Ireland might be achieved. However, based on the parliamentary debates on the constitution, it appears his real reason for not including the word ''republic'' in the name of the state was because he thought the constitution would gain broader support if it did not refer to a ''republic''.<ref>Seanad Éireann - Volume 36 - 15 December, 1948, The Republic of Ireland Bill, 1948—Committee and Final Stages.</ref> |
It is sometimes said that de Valera wished to reserve the names ''Republic of Ireland'' or ''Irish Republic'' for the day when a united Ireland might be achieved. However, based on the parliamentary debates on the constitution, it appears his real reason for not including the word ''republic'' in the name of the state was because he thought the constitution would gain broader support if it did not refer to a ''republic''.<ref>Seanad Éireann - Volume 36 - 15 December, 1948, The Republic of Ireland Bill, 1948—Committee and Final Stages.</ref> |
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After the adoption of the constitution, de Valera’s government actively encouraged use of the name ''Éire'' (rather than ''Ireland'') for the state. ''Éire'' (and indeed even ''Ireland'') was sometimes severely criticised as a poor choice of name. Some argued that it was confusing.<ref>Dáil Éireann - Volume 96 - 11 April, 1945-Ceisteanna—Questions |
After the adoption of the constitution, de Valera’s government actively encouraged use of the name ''Éire'' (rather than ''Ireland'') for the state. ''Éire'' (and indeed even ''Ireland'') was sometimes severely criticised as a poor choice of name. Some argued that it was confusing.<ref>Dáil Éireann - Volume 96 - 11 April, 1945-Ceisteanna—Questions.</ref> Others said the name ''Éire'' might strengthen the claim of the government of [[Northern Ireland]] to the ancient name of Ulster for their state.<ref> [[Michael Hayes (politician)| Senator Michael Hayes]], Seanad Éireann Debates- Volume 25 - 14 May, 1941. Indeed shortly before the Second World War, the Northern Ireland government considered [[Alternative names for Northern Ireland| adopting the name ''Ulster']]'.</ref> The name ''Éire'' quickly became widely accepted in English. However, this only fuelled more criticism of the name, as once free in the English language, it evolved leading to what opposition politicians stated were ''”sneering titles such as Eirish”''.<ref>Dáil Éireann - Volume 96 - 11 April, 1945-Ceisteanna—Questions.</ref> Although the[[ Republic of Ireland Act]] did not change the name of the state, when it was passed, the name ''Éire'' quickly fell into disuse (except in the Irish language) although it continues to linger on, particularly in the United Kingdom. It is the also the only name of the Irish state to feature on Irish stamps and Euro coins. However, when used in the English language, it is considered by many Irish people to be illiterate. |
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=== Colloquial names === |
=== Colloquial names === |
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The state is also referred to colloquially as ''the Republic'' or ''the South'' generally in order to distinguish between independent Irish state and Northern Ireland (itself known familiarly as ''the North''. Militant [[Irish republicanism|Irish republicans]] often refer to the state as the ''''Twenty-Six Counties'''' or the ''''Free |
The state is also referred to colloquially as ''the Republic'' or ''the South'' generally in order to distinguish between independent Irish state and Northern Ireland (itself known familiarly as ''the North''. Militant [[Irish republicanism|Irish republicans]] often refer to the state as the ''''Twenty-Six Counties'''' or the ''''Free State'''' (a reference to the state's official name prior to 1937 - ''see above''). These names are pejorative and are intended to call into question [[Irish Civil War|the legitimacy of the state]]. The sensitivity of the naming issue meant that no name was used in the body of the text of the 1998 [[Belfast Agreement]] to describe the Irish state as opposed to its government or citizens. However, in the title to the Belfast Agreement, the official names of both the British and Irish states were used. |
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As noted already, the British press frequently uses misnomers for the state: ''Éire'' (incorrectly written as ''Eire'') when writing in English as well as ''Irish Republic'' and ''Southern Ireland'' (both obsolete since 1922), |
As noted already, the British press frequently uses misnomers for the state: ''Éire'' (incorrectly written as ''Eire'') when writing in English as well as ''Irish Republic'' and ''Southern Ireland'' (both obsolete since 1922), |
Revision as of 19:47, 9 December 2007
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/Cropped_Easter_Proclamation.jpg)
The state whose official name today is 'Ireland' and whose official description is the 'Republic of Ireland' is, and has been, known by a number of names, some of which have been controversial.
Official name
Article 4 of the Irish constitution, adopted in 1937, provides that “the name of the state is Éire, or, in the English language, Ireland”.[1] Hence, the Irish state has two official names, Éire (in Irish) and Ireland (in English). For all official purposes including in international treaties and other legal documents, where the language of the documents is English, the Irish government uses the name Ireland. The same is true in respect of the name Éire for documents written in Irish. Similarly, the name of the state is reflected in its institutions and public offices. For example, there is a President of Ireland and a Constitution of Ireland. The name Ireland is also used in the state's diplomatic relations with foreign nations. The state is officially known as Ireland at meetings of the United Nations.
Official description
Since 1949 the Republic of Ireland Act has provided that the Republic of Ireland (or Poblacht na hÉireann in Irish) is the official description for the state. [2] However, Ireland remains the official name of the state. This distinction between description and name was and remains important because the Act was not a constitutional amendment and did not change the name of the state. If it had purported to do so, it would have been unconstitutional. The distinction between a description and a name has sometimes caused confusion. The Taoiseach, John A. Costello who introduced the legislation explained the difference in the following way:
“If I say that my name is Costello and that my description is that of senior counsel, I think that will be clear to anybody who wants to know...[Similarly, the state’s] name in Irish is Éire and in the English language, Ireland. Its description in the English language is “the Republic of Ireland.”[3]
Nevertheless the Republic of Ireland is often used as a name for the state in ordinary speech, especially in any context in which it is necessary to distinguish between the state and the island as a whole. So, for example, commonly people speak of there being a border "between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland" rather than between Northern Ireland and Ireland. In addition, the state's national football team, while often referred to (including by itself) as Ireland, officially plays as the Republic of Ireland because Northern Ireland also fields a team in international competitions and in 1954 FIFA was no longer prepared to tolerate two teams called Ireland.[4]
European Union
The state joined the European Economic Community (now the European Union) in 1973. Its accession treaty was drawn up in all of the EU’s then official treaty languages (including English and Irish) and, as such, the Irish state joined under both of its names, Éire and Ireland. On 1 January 2007, Irish became an official working language of the EU.[5] This did not change the name of the Irish state in EU law. However, it has meant for example that at official meetings of the EU Council of Ministers, nameplates for the Irish state now read as Éire - Ireland, whereas previously they would simply have read as Ireland.
The Inter Institutional Style Guide of The Office for Official Publications of the European Communities sets out how the names of the Member states of the European Union must always be written and abbreviated in EU publications. Concerning Ireland, it states that its official names are Éire and Ireland; its official name in English is Ireland; its country code is IE; and its former abbreviation was IRL. It also adds the following guidance: “NB: Do not use ‘Republic of Ireland’ nor ‘Irish Republic’.” [6]
Name dispute with the UK
This section concerns the dispute, which now appears to have been resolved, between the Irish and British governments over the official names of their respective states: Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Eire v Ireland
When the Irish constitution was enacted in 1937, Articles 2-4 expressed an irredentist claim to the territory of Northern Ireland. Notably, Article 2 defined the state as including the "whole island of Ireland". Similarly, for many Unionists in Northern Ireland and for people in Britain, the decision in Article 4 to give the state the name Ireland (it had been the Irish Free State) was viewed as another attempt to lay claim to the whole of the island of Ireland. The British government responded to the new constitution by finessing Article 4 and ignoring Articles 2 and 3: if the Irish constitution said the name of the state in the national language was Éire, then that was what the British government would call it. By doing so, it avoided any need to call the Irish state, in the English language, Ireland.[7] The change of name effected by the 1937 constitution (but not the other constitutional changes), was given effect in the United Kingdom in the Eire (Confirmation of Agreements) Act 1938. Under Section 1 of that Act, it was declared that (for the purposes of United Kingdom legislation) the territory "which was ... known as Irish Free State shall be styled as...Eire".[8]
The British approach of calling the state Eire, even in the English language was greatly assisted by the desire of de Valera, the leader of the Irish government at the time, that the state be known by that name, even in English.[9]
Republic of Ireland v Ireland
However in 1948, with the passing of the Republic of Ireland Act (discussed above), the name Éire generally fell out of usage by both the Irish government (except in the Irish language) and internationally. The British government considered how to respond. The following note of what Prime Minister Clement Attlee said at a British Cabinet meeting on 12 January 1949 illustrates some of the considerations involved:
“N.I. [Northern Ireland] Ministers accepted [the name] "N.I." eventually [the Northern Ireland Government would have preferred the name Ulster]. They wanted us, however, to go on using "Eire" [for the Republic of Ireland]. But other countries won´t do so. Suggested therefore we shd. [should] use "Republic of Ireland". N.I. prefer "Irish Republic". But let us not speak of "Ireland". Can we put Republic of Ireland on Bill: but use in official pp. [papers] etc. [:] Irish Republic or Southern Ireland. Agreed.”[10]
Ultimately, the British responded by passing the Ireland Act 1949 which provided that "that part of Ireland heretofore known as Eire...may [be referred to] as the Republic of Ireland.”[11]
Hence, the Ireland Act formally provided for use of the Republic of Ireland as an alternative to the use of the name Eire in British law. Later the name Eire was abolished entirely in British law under the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1981.[12] This has meant that the Republic of Ireland is the only name for the Irish state officially recognised in domestic UK law. Notwithstanding the Ireland Act, as suggested by Prime Minister Atlee, the British government would often continue to refer to the Irish state by other names such as the Irish Republic or Southern Ireland.[13] The name Irish Republic has even sometimes been used in domestic UK legislation.[14] The British press continue to regularly use Eire and Irish Republic to this day.
However, even with the Ireland Act and its acceptance of the Republic of Ireland as a name, a dispute over the names of their respective states was to rumble on between the UK and Irish governments. For the Irish, the Republic of Ireland was still not the name of the state, merely its description and it soon came to also be seen by many in Ireland as drawing attention to the partition of the island. Therefore, rather than styling itself Éire or the Republic of Ireland or occasionally, simply Ireland, the Irish government began to consistently refer to the state as simply Ireland and itself as the Government of Ireland. The Irish state joined the United Nations in 1955 as Ireland in 1955 over protests concerning its name by the United Kingdom.[15] Similarly, the United Kingdom protested when the Irish state was admitted to the European Economic Community in 1973 as Ireland.[16]
For its part, the Irish government also disputed the right of the British state to call itself the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. To the Irish government and many Irish people, the words ”and Northern Ireland” in the name of the British state were offensive as they were perceived as enshrining the partition of the island of Ireland in the name of the British state. The name also ran against the Irish state’s territorial claim to Northern Ireland. The dispute over the names of their respective states was most apparent when the two states concluded bilateral treaties. For example, when the Anglo Irish Agreement was made in 1984 between the two states, the British text of the agreement gave it the formal title ”Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ireland” whereas the Irish government’s text of the very same agreement gave it the formal title ”Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom”.[17]
Resolution
The dispute over the names of their respective states now appears to have been resolved. This resolution took place when the Belfast Agreement (or Good Friday Agreement) was concluded in 1998. That Agreement concerned a wide range of constitutional and other matters regarding Northern Ireland. Notably, as part of it, the Irish state dropped its legal claim to the territory of Northern Ireland. In the title of the Agreement, the two governments used their respective domestic law names, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. Some Unionist members of the British parliament objected strenuously to the use of the term the Government of Ireland. They proposed that the practice of referring to the Irish government as the Government of the Republic of Ireland should be continued. Their objections were not accepted. Responding for the British government in the House of Lords, Lord Dubs explained that the new practice of referring to the Irish state by the name Ireland:
”actually represents the welcome disappearance of one small but significant difference in practice between the British and Irish Governments that the [Belfast Agreement] has made possible. Hitherto, the Irish Government have referred to themselves, and generally been referred to in international circles, as the ”Government of Ireland”. We, however, have called them ”Government of the Republic of Ireland”. Similarly, while the proper name of this state is the “Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”, the Irish have used solely the name “Government of the United Kingdom”. With the agreement we have aligned our practice. We will call them by the name they favour, and they will use the name for us that we favour. Since the constitutional status of Northern Ireland is no longer a matter of disagreement between us, we can put an end to the argument about names.”[18]
Historical and unofficial names
The Romans referred to Ireland as Hibernia. Following the Norman invasion, this became the Dominus Hiberniae, the Lordship of Ireland from 1171 to 1541, and the Kingdom of Ireland from 1541 to 1800. From 1801 to 1922 it was considered an integral part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, one of the Home Nations of the British Empire.
Irish Republic (1919-1922)
In English, the revolutionary state proclaimed in 1916 and ratified in 1919 was known as the 'Irish Republic' or, occasionally, the 'Republic of Ireland'. Two different Irish language titles were used: Poblacht na hÉireann and Saorstát Éireann, based on two competing Irish translations of the word republic: Poblacht and Saorstát. Poblacht was a foreign loan word, a simple Gaelicisation of republic. Saorstát, on the other hand, was a compound word based on two already existing Irish words: saor (meaning "free") and stát ("state"). Its direct, literal translation was "free state". The term Poblacht na hÉireann is the one used in the Easter Proclamation of 1916. However the Declaration of Independence and other documents adopted in 1919 eschew this title in favour of Saorstát Éireann. A slight variant of this title, Saorstát na hÉireann, was also sometimes used in later days as was the Latin Respublica Hibernica.
(For an explanation continuing incorrect usage of this term in the United Kingdom, see above. Some republicans also continue to use the term because they refuse to recognise the Anglo-Irish Treaty - see below).
Southern Ireland (1921-1922)
Southern Ireland was the name of the twenty-six county Irish state established under British law by the Government of Ireland Act 1920. It had a brief existence, being established in 1921, met once the following year to ratify the Anglo-Irish Treaty for the purposes of United Kindom law, then dissolved itself. The name Southern Ireland does not have any official status today but some people in Northern Ireland and Geat Britain use the term.
Irish Free State (1922-1937)
During the negotiations on secession leading to the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Irish politicians wanted the state to be a republic, and its name to be the Republic of Ireland or the Irish Republic. However the British government refused to contemplate a republic because this would have entailed the Irish state severing the link with the British crown and ceasing to be a part of the British Empire. Instead, the parties agreed the state would be a self-governing dominion under a form of constitutional monarchy. The British also disliked the name Ireland because it implied sovereignty over Northern Ireland, which remained within the United Kingdom.
Because the Irish Republic had been known in Irish as Saorstát Éireann it was from this name that the name of the new state was derived. Saorstát Éireann was made the official Irish title of the new state, but its English title was not Irish Republic but the most direct, literal translation of its Irish name: Irish Free State. After the establishment of the Free State the Irish government often used the name Saorstát Éireann in documents in English as well as Irish. Despite the official title of the state, stamps of the period used the name Éire, a practice that is continued today.
Because the Irish Free State was not a republic, since 1922 the word saorstát has fallen out of use in Irish as a translation of republic. When the official description of the state was declared to be the Republic of Ireland in 1949 its official Irish description became not Saorstát Éireann but Poblacht na hÉireann.
Éire (1937-49)
As mentioned above, Article 4 of the current constitution of Ireland, gives the state its two official names, Éire in Irish and Ireland in English. However, when President Éamon de Valera presented the first draft of the constitution to the parliamentary committee on the constitution, Article 4 simply provided: ” The name of the state is Éire”. There was no reference to Ireland at all. Opposition politicians immediately proposed that the word Ireland be substituted for the word Éire throughout the English text. They argued that Ireland was the name known by every European country; that the name should not be surrendered; that the name Ireland might instead be adopted by Northern Ireland; and that the choice of Éire might damage the status of the state internationally by drawing a “distinction between the state...and what has been known for centuries as Ireland”.[19]
Responding, President de Valera stressed that the Irish text of the constitution was to be the foundation text. In light of this, he said the name Éire was more logical and that it would mean an Irish name would become accepted even in the English language.[20] However, he said he had ”no strong views” and he agreed “that in the English translation the name of the state [would be] Ireland”.[21] Ultimately, with the exception of a reference to Éire in the highly rhetorical preamble and (together with a reference to Ireland) in the reworded Article 4 itself, the name Ireland replaced the name Éire throughout the English text.
It is sometimes said that de Valera wished to reserve the names Republic of Ireland or Irish Republic for the day when a united Ireland might be achieved. However, based on the parliamentary debates on the constitution, it appears his real reason for not including the word republic in the name of the state was because he thought the constitution would gain broader support if it did not refer to a republic.[22]
After the adoption of the constitution, de Valera’s government actively encouraged use of the name Éire (rather than Ireland) for the state. Éire (and indeed even Ireland) was sometimes severely criticised as a poor choice of name. Some argued that it was confusing.[23] Others said the name Éire might strengthen the claim of the government of Northern Ireland to the ancient name of Ulster for their state.[24] The name Éire quickly became widely accepted in English. However, this only fuelled more criticism of the name, as once free in the English language, it evolved leading to what opposition politicians stated were ”sneering titles such as Eirish”.[25] Although theRepublic of Ireland Act did not change the name of the state, when it was passed, the name Éire quickly fell into disuse (except in the Irish language) although it continues to linger on, particularly in the United Kingdom. It is the also the only name of the Irish state to feature on Irish stamps and Euro coins. However, when used in the English language, it is considered by many Irish people to be illiterate.
Colloquial names
The state is also referred to colloquially as the Republic or the South generally in order to distinguish between independent Irish state and Northern Ireland (itself known familiarly as the North. Militant Irish republicans often refer to the state as the 'Twenty-Six Counties' or the 'Free State' (a reference to the state's official name prior to 1937 - see above). These names are pejorative and are intended to call into question the legitimacy of the state. The sensitivity of the naming issue meant that no name was used in the body of the text of the 1998 Belfast Agreement to describe the Irish state as opposed to its government or citizens. However, in the title to the Belfast Agreement, the official names of both the British and Irish states were used.
As noted already, the British press frequently uses misnomers for the state: Éire (incorrectly written as Eire) when writing in English as well as Irish Republic and Southern Ireland (both obsolete since 1922),
See also
References
- ^ The wording of Article 4 has been criticised. In its report, the Constitution Review Groupin 1996 stated that that Article 4 was unnecessarily complicated and should be amended to read ”The name of the state is Ireland” with an equivalent change in the Irish text.
- ^ The Republic of Ireland Act, 1948 (Commencement) Order, 1949 (S.I. No. 27/1949) appointed 18 April 1949 (Easter Monday, the thirty third anniversary of the Irish Easter Rising) as the day the Republic of Ireland Act 1948 would come into force.
- ^ Seanad Éireann - Volume 36 - 15 December, 1948, The Republic of Ireland Bill, 1948—Committee and Final Stages.
- ^ See Football Association of Ireland and Irish Football Association.
- ^ See: Council Regulation (EC) No 920/2005. Until then, Irish was a treaty language, official to the extent that the EU’s founding treaties were (in addition to the other languages of the EU) drawn up in Irish and equally authentic in that language. It had not been an official EU working language.
- ^ Clause 7.1.1 of the Inter Institutional Style Guide[1].
- ^ Iain McLean and Alistair McMillan, State of the Union: Unionism and the Alternatives in the United Kingdom, 2001: 173, 181.
- ^ Oliver, JDB, Whats in a Name, in Tiley, John, Studies in the History of Tax Law.
- ^ Note: Under the Ireland Act the name Eire, without the correct síne fada (accent) over the first E, was used.
- ^ C.M. 1(49) - Meeting held on 12 January 1949. C.M. 1(49).
- ^ Ireland Act 1949.
- ^ Austen Morgan, The Belfast Agreement, 2000, p99.
- ^ Immigration and Nationality Directorate, UK Government Website, EEA Nationals [2].
- ^ For example: The Irish Republic (Termination of 1927 Agreement) Order 1987.
- ^ Austen Morgan, The Belfast Agreement, 2000, p99.
- ^ Austen Morgan, The Belfast Agreement, 2000, p99.
- ^ It is standard practice in the titles of international agreements between two contracting states for each state to put itself first in its own version (held by the other contracting state).
- ^ Hansard, House of Lords, 19 October 1998.
- ^ Dáil Éireann - Volume 67 - 25 May, 1937, Bunreacht na hÉireann (Dréacht)—Coiste.
- ^ On a later occasion de Valera was also to say that the name Éire would have helped to avoid confusion between the names of the island and the state (REF). Although, clearly, where the Irish language was the medium of communication, the position would be the same (as Éire is both the name of the state and the island in the Irish language).
- ^ Dáil Éireann - Volume 67 - 25 May, 1937 Bunreacht na hÉireann (Dréacht)—Coiste.
- ^ Seanad Éireann - Volume 36 - 15 December, 1948, The Republic of Ireland Bill, 1948—Committee and Final Stages.
- ^ Dáil Éireann - Volume 96 - 11 April, 1945-Ceisteanna—Questions.
- ^ Senator Michael Hayes, Seanad Éireann Debates- Volume 25 - 14 May, 1941. Indeed shortly before the Second World War, the Northern Ireland government considered adopting the name Ulster''.
- ^ Dáil Éireann - Volume 96 - 11 April, 1945-Ceisteanna—Questions.