Encyclopedia > Counties of Ireland

Article Content

Counties of Ireland

Ireland is often referred to as the 32 counties, with its two states, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland nicknamed the Six Counties and the 26 Counties. The counties were in fact a creation of British rule in Ireland in the nineteenth century, to provide local government structures. They subsequently were adopted by sporting and cultural organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, which organises its sports on county lines and attract county loyalties.

Ironically, in strict local government terms, the 32 counties no longer exist. Within the six county Northern Ireland, a major re-organisation of local government replaced the six large counties by 26 smaller ones. In the Republic of Ireland, the original 26 counties now total 33, with for example, Dublin county now divided in four, producing Dublin (city), Dublin county, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and Fingal. Other major urban areas have been separated from their rural counties origins, while Tipperary has long in fact been two counties, Tipperary North Riding and Tipperary South Riding.

Outside of local governmental jurisdiction, however, the old 32 counties are used universally.

Below is a list of the original list of 32 counties, as created under British rule. (c) indicates a change in boundaries or counties subdivided to create new counties.

The Original 32 Counties

County Antrim - Ulster, Northern Ireland (c)

County Armagh[?] - Ulster, Northern Ireland (c)

County Carlow - Leinster

County Cavan[?] - Ulster

County Clare - Munster

County Cork - Munster

County Derry - Ulster, Northern Ireland (c)

County Donegal - Ulster

County Down - Ulster, Northern Ireland (c)

County Dublin - Leinster (c) divided in four to form Dublin City, Dublin County, Fingal and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown

County Fermanagh - Ulster, Northern Ireland (c)