Political Subdivisions of Ireland: Four Distinct Entities

The term "Ireland" encompasses four separate political jurisdictions:

1. Republic of Ireland – Sovereign state (26 counties), EU member, capital Dublin.
2. Northern Ireland – Constituent country of the United Kingdom (6 counties), capital Belfast.
3. Isle of Man – Crown Dependency (self-governing, UK handles defense/foreign affairs), capital Douglas.
4. Channel Islands – Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark), not part of UK or EU, off Normandy coast.

Only the first two are on the island of Ireland; the latter two are in the Irish Sea but constitutionally distinct.