Northern Ireland

Part of the United Kingdom (1921-present)

Location: Northern Ireland

Capital City: Belfast

Government type: Constituent Country of the United Kingdom

Main languages: English, Ulster Scots, Irish Gaelic

Main religions: Protestant Christianity, Catholic Christianity

Chronology

1921: Northern Ireland created as a self-governing entity within the UK as part of the partition of Ireland

1922-1998: After the independence of Southern Ireland (Irish Free State/Republic of Ireland), they claim Northern Ireland until the 1998 Good Friday Agreement

1968-1998: The Troubles, sectarian irregular warfare between Irish Republicans and Ulster Loyalists, both at odds with the British and Irish governments

1972: Britain suspends Northern Ireland's self-government due to failure to restore order

1998: Good Friday agreement between Britain, Ireland, and five Northern Irish political groups comes into force after approval by referendums in both Northern and Southern Ireland. The Troubles comes to an end, Ireland accepts Northern Ireland as under British sovereignty, paramilitary groups are made to stand down, and Northern Ireland's self-government is restored.

Currency

Pound (1922-1971)

1 Pound = 20 Shillings = 240 Pence

Pound (1971-present)

1 Pound = 100 Pence

Note: Northern Ireland does not have a separate currency from the rest of the United Kingdom, but uniquely Northern Irish banknotes are issued by various banks given legal rights to issue currency backed by deposits in the Bank of England. Northern Ireland notes are legal currency, but not legal tender, which in British law specifically means currency that must be accepted to settle a debt. notes issued by the Bank of England are legal tender in England and Wales, but not Scotland and Northern Ireland, but can still be used as legal currency valid for payment anywhere in the United Kingdom. Conversely, notes issued by authorized banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland are not legal tender anywhere in the country, but can still be used as currency anywhere they will be accepted. For more information, see this article on the Bank of England's website, which probably explains it better than I can.

Banknotes from Northern Ireland in the collection

•5 Pound, 2001 (P#335) Ulster Bank