"The UK and Ireland"

[nogojones]

Writing cards and letters my Mum (first language Irish) would would write Éire on the envelope, but in conversation (in English) she would use Free State to differentiate which side of the border. I think it was her age, being born in the 20's, but it's also stuck with me growing up and when explaining if I'm in Tyrone or Donegal I do it automatically, then have to revert to ROI/Southern to sooth the puzzled looks

 

[Aladdin]

If I'm in Tyrone or Donegal I do it automatically, then have to revert to ROI/Southern to sooth the puzzled looks

You probably use ROI more so than "Southern Ireland " I would think?

I think that phrase is not used by Irish people in the 26 counties. It's really only used by the British media and Unionist types in the 6 counties.

 

[nogojones]

You probably use ROI more so than "Southern Ireland " I would think?

I think that phrase is not used by Irish people in the 26 counties. It's really only used by the British media and Unionist types in the 6 counties.

When I'm explaining it to Brits

 

[Idaho]

You probably use ROI more so than "Southern Ireland " I would think?

I think that phrase is not used by Irish people in the 26 counties. It's really only used by the British media and Unionist types in the 6 counties.

In my experience, in the 26 counties people seem to distinguish by saying either "Ireland" or "the North".

Inevitably, from outside of the island, it tends to be Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland.

 

[Aladdin]

In my experience, in the 26 counties people seem to distinguish by saying either "Ireland" or "the North".

Inevitably, from outside of the island, it tends to be Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland.

Yes. We say "Up north" or "in the north"
Rarely NI.