New atlas lets Ireland slip shackles of Britain

The Times (UK) ^ | October 03, 2006 | By David Sharrock

[aculeus]

IT MAY be 57 years too late for many an Irish republican, but yesterday Folens, the publishers, said it was introducing a more “correct” version of its school atlas that would no longer include Ireland as part of the British Isles.

The decision, according to The Irish Times, was taken after Mary Hanafin, the Republic’s Education Minister, received a complaint from a parent. She advised the writer to take the matter up with the teacher who was using the “dated” atlas in question, and with the company that published it.

A spokesman for the Irish Embassy in London said: “The British Isles has a dated ring to it, as if we are still part of the Empire. We are independent, we are not part of Britain, not even in geographical terms. We would discourage its useage.”

John O’Connor, managing director of Folens, said that no final decision had yet been taken as to what would replace the British Isles title in the relevant section, but it might be simply Ireland and England — although that would risk the wrath of the Scots and the Welsh.

[aculeus]

John O’Connor, managing director of Folens, said that no final decision had yet been taken as to what would replace the British Isles title in the relevant section ...

How about "Them" Islands?

[Incorrigible]

Chalk one up for the Fenians!

[oldleft]

Actually, geographically Ireland is part of the same archipelago as Britain. I have heard the group referred to as "the islands of the North Atlantic", but most think that is a misnomer because it may be understood to include Iceland.

[massgopguy]

But this is a better atlas. One that doesn't have anything to do with geography. blblblblblblblblblb.
Next up, Haiti and the Dominican Republic will be separated alphabetically with the ocean covering each other on the appropriate page.

[2banana]

How do they feel about the British Channel?

[MadMitch]

Does this mean we can send all the Irish back?

[aculeus]

How do they feel about the British Channel?

Ask the French.

[Brian Allen]

<< How do they feel about the British Channel?

Ask the French >>

The French have letters.

And Chanel.

The channel's English.

[Unam Sanctam]

The British Isles is a geographical term and does include Ireland. How silly!

[aculeus]

Actually to the French it's "La Manche" -- the sleeve. But I bet you already knew that.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

A spokesman for the Irish Embassy in London said: “The British Isles has a dated ring to it, as if we are still part of the Empire. We are independent, we are not part of Britain, not even in geographical terms. We would discourage its useage.”

I don't have a problem with this archipelago being called the 'British Isles' - seeing as Great Britain is the largest island in the group. Plus, no one has really come up with a snappy alternative! ;)

Ireland Ping!

[Happygal]

Ireland is not part of Britain.
So it shouldn't be considered as the British Isles, IMO.

[Happygal]

BTW...when I hear people talking about the UK as the 'Mainland' drives me a bit dull as well.

Must be the rebel in me :)

[irishtenor]

***Plus, no one has really come up with a snappy alternative! ;)***

How about "Ireland and those other places."

[Da_Shrimp]

Ireland is not part of Britain. So it shouldn't be considered as the British Isles, IMO.

I don't blame you, given recent history, but I thought the term 'British Isles' for the archipelago pre-dated the Empire by a loooong way. 'Great Britain' itself is a comparatively recent name, barely 200 years old.

In AD70, Pliny the Elder wrote Albion ipsi nomen fuit, cum Britanniae, ie that all the islands of Albion were known as the Britannias. He included what is now Great Britain and Ireland. Ptolemy also included Britain and Ireland as part of the same group.

Anyway, I guess more recent history trumps the older names.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

I dunno what the island group should be called, so.

Anglo-Celtic Isles?

[Irish_Thatcherite]

BTW...when I hear people talking about the UK as the 'Mainland' drives me a bit dull as well.

Those north of the border can call it that if they wish, we can southerners can call it what we like! :-P

[Tokra]

Ireland is not part of Britain. So it shouldn't be considered as the British Isles, IMO.

And South America and Central America are not part of the United States of America. Should they have to come up with new names?

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Or "Them islands always arguing!" :-P

[Irish_Thatcherite]

That entered my head, too. Good point!