The Ulster (in Irish Cúige Ulaidh , in Latin Ultonia ) is one of the four provinces of the island of Ireland.
Ulster is made of nine counties and has a population of 2 million inhabitants. It should be noted however that these 9 historical counties of Ulster are any administrative, neither in Irish Republic, nor in Northern Ireland.
Since 1922, six of these nine counties form together what is called the Northern Ireland (some “unionistic” often call these six Ulster counties) and which is one of the four nations of the the United Kingdom (with the England, the Scotland and the Wales):
In 2001, these six counties had a population of 1.685.267 inhabitants.
The three other counties of the province of Ulster belong to the Irish Republic:
In 2002, the population of these three counties was of 246.571 inhabitants.
The “capital” of Ulster east Belfast.
The Ulster, with the other provinces, has a team of Rugby in the Heineken Cup and the Celtic League.
The red hand of Ulster
The red hand of Ulster (Heraldic figure made of a appaumée dextral hand, mouths , generally posed on a field of money ) is the symbol of Ulster. Several legends tell its origin, locating it towards 500 av. J. - C.:
- At the time of the Milesiens, the throne of Ulster was vacant, and it was established that the first would be king which would touch bank of Ulster. One of the applicants, being seen preceded, would have cut its hand to send it over its adversaries, thus gaining the crown.
- a similar history opposes Ui Neill and certain Dermott, at the time of a race with horse. The first would have gained the throne by the same stratagem.
- Another legend evokes a combat between two giants. One of them would have had the cut hand, whose trace would have been printed on the stone.
- the origin could also be in the Celtic Mythologie.
The red hand of Ulster is found on the flag of Ulster (above), on the weapons of certain counties of Ulster (county of Tyrone, Londonderry, Antrhim and Monaghan). It was also taken again on the Drapeau of Northern Ireland. This symbol tends to being begun again by the unionistic and loyal supporters. In addition, the Baronnet S of the United Kingdom carry on their weapons the badge of Ulster , identical if it is not that the hand is sinistral.
Languages
A Germanic Language, the Scots of Ulster, is spoken by a minority about the population. This language is recognized like regional language in Northern Ireland, and is supported by the government of the Irish Republic. The Irish of Ulster is spoken there (especially in Donegal) and also recognized.
See too
Homonymy
- Ulster Rugby , the team of Rugby representing the province
- Ulster is also the title of a song of the punk group protestor Sham 69, resulting from their first individual published in August 1977.
Related articles
References
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