Northern Ireland is sometimes referred to as Ulster, particularly by the
unionist community, in this sense comprising the six UK-ruled counties only.
Political and paramilitary organisations, parties and movements having "Ulster" as part of their name are almost invariably on the
Unionist side; military and police units having such names are often accused of a pro-Unionist bias. That is, however, not necessarily the case with names in other spheres including "Ulster". For example, Ulster sports associations and teams often form part of an all-Ireland structure and thus, while not overtly political, are favourably regarded by Irish Nationalists.
Flags
The divergent meanings of "Ulster" are reflected in divergent
flags:
The
Flag of Ulster which represents the whole of the historic province of Ulster
UTV, the
ITV broadcaster for Northern Ireland (also widely watched in the
Republic of Ireland), was known as
Ulster Television from its inception on 31 October 1959 to 4 June 1993.