19 Facts About Northern Ireland

1. Northern Ireland was created in 1921, when Ireland was partitioned by the Government of Ireland Act 1920, creating a devolved government for the six northeastern counties.

2. Economy of Northern Ireland was the most industrialised in Ireland at the time of Partition of Ireland, but declined, a decline exacerbated by the political and social turmoil of the Troubles.

3. The initial growth came from the "peace dividend" and increased trade with the Republic of Northern Ireland, continuing with a significant increase in tourism, investment, and business from around the world.

4. Region that is Northern Ireland was long inhabited by native Gaels who were Irish-speaking and predominantly Catholic.

5. In 1169, Northern Ireland was invaded by a coalition of forces under the command of the English crown that quickly overran and occupied most of the island, beginning 800 years of foreign central authority.

6. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was formed in 1801 and governed from London.

7. From 1956 to 1962, the Irish Republican Army carried out a limited guerrilla campaign in border areas of Northern Ireland, called the Border Campaign.

8. In 1973, Northern Ireland held a referendum to determine if it should remain in the United Kingdom, or be part of a united Ireland.

9. The Constitution of Northern Ireland was amended in 1999 to remove a claim of the "Irish nation" to sovereignty over the entire island.

10. Protestants have a slight majority in Northern Ireland, according to the latest Northern Ireland Census.

11. Northern Ireland is a distinct legal jurisdiction, separate from the two other jurisdictions in the United Kingdom.

12. The largest island of Northern Ireland is Rathlin, off the north Antrim coast.

13. People born in Northern Ireland are, with some exceptions, deemed by UK law to be citizens of the United Kingdom.

14. The current wording provides that people born in Northern Ireland are entitled to be Irish citizens on the same basis as people from any other part of the island.

15. Northern Ireland ruled from Emain Macha, and had a fierce rivalry with queen Medb and king Ailill of Connacht and their ally, Fergus mac Roich, former king of Ulster.

16. Northern Irish murals have become well-known features of Northern Ireland, depicting past and present events and documenting peace and cultural diversity.

17. Highest level of competition within Northern Ireland are the NIFL Premiership and the NIFL Championship.

18. Six counties of Northern Ireland are among the nine governed by the Ulster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union, the governing body of rugby union in Ireland.

19. Main universities in Northern Ireland are Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University, and the distance learning Open University which has a regional office in Belfast.