| Northern Ireland A division of the United Kingdom in the northeast section of the island of Ireland. The province occupies much of the ancient Irish kingdom of Ulster and is often known by that name. It was colonized by the British in the 17th century and became a part of the United Kingdom in 1920. Civil strife between the Protestant majority and Catholic minority of Northern Ireland has erupted frequently since the late 1960s. A historic peace settlement was finally achieved in 1998. Belfast is the capital and the largest city. Population: 1,740,000. Northern Ire'land·er n. |