Sir, – For the sake of clarity: the name of the island is Ireland. The name of the state is Ireland too, but that doesn’t include Northern Ireland, which is a separate part of Ireland. There is a south of Ireland but there is no Southern Ireland. The west of Ireland is the real Ireland. The real name for Ireland is “Éire”, but if you’re English don’t say that word as it may cause offence.
The Republic of Ireland is a football team; but it doesn’t include Stephen Ireland, who comes from the People’s Republic of Cork, which is the real capital of Ireland.
It’s all a bit Irish. – Yours, etc,
DES MULLALLY,
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Cork Street, Dublin 8.