Ulster, pronounced “Ulaid” in Irish, is home to the counties of: Tyrone, Down, Fermanagh, Monaghan, Armagh, Donegal, Derry, Antrim and Cavan. Only Cavan, Monaghan, and Donegal are in the Republic of Ireland. The rest are in Northern Ireland.

In ancient times, the capital of Ulster was known as “Emuin Machae”, which was located close to the town of Armagh. In those days the term “capital” had a different meaning. It didn’t mean the administrative center, as it normally would today. It was wherever the royal residence was located.

Some of Ulster’s best known heroes and warriors include Cú Chulaind, King Conchubur, Conall Cernach and Loegaire Buadach, along with the one-time king of Ulster, Fergus (whose name means force).