Home Nations

Home Nations is a term used to refer to the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom — England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — collectively, but as separate entities, distinct from the United Kingdom as a whole. Its usage is rare (especially outside the UK) and somewhat controversial in some quarters, though it is more common in sporting contexts.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - England - Scotland - Wales - Northern Ireland

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Sometimes the term is used to include all the self-governing nations or states of the British Isles (thus including the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey), though this usage is technically incorrect. There is some debate, both popular and academic, as to whether Cornwall (which is normally considered part of England) should be considered a constituent part of the UK and therefore a Home Nationhttp://www.institutes.ex.ac.uk/ics/bernard%20Celtic%20frontier%20or%20county%20boundary.pdf, with the Cornish nationalist movement often supporting this view.

Related Topics:
British Isles - Republic of Ireland - Isle of Man - Bailiwick - Guernsey - Jersey - Cornwall - Cornish nationalist

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The description of Northern Ireland as a 'nation' is controversial and perhaps inaccurate, as Northern Ireland has never been an independent entity — it is the part of Ireland which remained within the United Kingdom after the rest left to form the Republic of Ireland in 1922.

Related Topics:
Ireland - 1922

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The term is often used when referring to sporting events in which each Home Nation competes separately, such as the now defunct British Home Championship in football. In sports where an Ireland team represents both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, it is common for all of Ireland to be referred to as a Home Nation.

Related Topics:
British Home Championship - Football

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