Yes. I have been explaining
the status of the _Southern_ part, i.e. Eire, i.e. the Republic of
Ireland.
GR: Thought you were speaking of *both* the
north and south. Misinformation certainly can spark a
conflict.
If you say "Ireland" without an adjective, then you
mean either the whole island or the Irish state alone, i.e. the Republic,
_excluding the Northern part_. Informally, all the world calls the independent
state "Ireland" ignoring the political overtones of such usage (the Irish
Constitution also says "The name of the State is Eire, or in the English
language, Ireland", but this is a political statement, the North being
regarded as Irish national territory currently under British
occupation).
If you ever go to Dublin, Ireland, try stepping into a pub
and loudly asking the folks inside if they're British subjects.
GR: Dubliners apparently hate the British
(err, English, err The Royals), eah?