List of Irish county nicknames
This is a list of nicknames for the traditional counties of Ireland and their inhabitants. The nicknames are mainly used with reference to the county's representative team in gaelic games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. A few of the names are quite old and well-known; most are recent coinages mainly used by journalists. Some refer specifically to the Gaelic games county colours.
Many counties have multiple nicknames — for example, Kildare may be called "the short grass county" or "the thoroughbred county" — while some counties have separate nicknames for the county and people: for example Wexford is often called the Model county, and Wexford people are called "yellowbellies". A few nicknames are shared: any Connacht county playing a team from elsewhere may be dubbed "the Westerners"; London GAA or New York GAA may be called "the Exiles"; Westmeath, Fermanagh, and Cavan have each been called "the Lake county".
List
Other inter-county GAA teams
Outside Ireland, the GAA is organised into regional bodies which have the same status as Irish counties, some of which compete in the same inter-county competitions.In 2008, the main Dublin and Down hurling teams were supplemented with second teams competing in the Nicky Rackard Cup, respectively called Fingal and South Down.
County | Nickname | Origins and notes |
Fingal | The Ravens | Ravens appear on the crest of Fingal. |
Fingal | The Northsiders | Fingal is north of the River Liffey. |
Hertfordshire | Herts | Clipping of Hertfordshire |
Lancashire | Lancs | Clipping of Lancashire |
Lancashire | Red Rose County | Red Rose of Lancaster, badge of Henry IV of England and symbol of the county of Lancashire |
London GAA | The men from the county Hell | "Boys from the County Hell", 1984 song by the Pogues |
London GAA | The Exiles | Recruited from Irish emigrants "exiled" in Britain. The nickname is also used for New York GAA and London Irish rugby union club |
New York GAA | The Exiles | Recruited from Irish emigrants "exiled" in New York. The nickname is also used for London GAA |
South Down GAA | The non-Ardsmen | Players are selected from outside the Ards peninsula, the stronghold of Down hurling |
Warwickshire | Warks | Clipping of Warwickshire |