<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> It has been suggested that Partitionism be merged into this article . (Discuss) Proposed since April 2017 . </Td> </Tr> <P> The partition of Ireland (Irish: críochdheighilt na hÉireann) was the division of the island of Ireland into two distinct jurisdictions, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland . It took place on 3 May 1921 under the Government of Ireland Act 1920 . Today the former is still known as Northern Ireland and forms part of the United Kingdom, while the latter is now a sovereign state also named Ireland and sometimes called the Republic of Ireland . </P> <P> The Act of 1920 was intended to create two self - governing territories within Ireland, with both remaining within the United Kingdom . It also contained provisions for co-operation between the two territories and for the eventual reunification of Ireland . However, in 1922, following the War of Independence and the Anglo - Irish Treaty, the southern part became the Irish Free State, while Northern Ireland exercised its option to remain in the United Kingdom . </P> <P> Since partition, a key aspiration of Irish nationalists has been to bring about a reunited Ireland, with the whole island forming one independent state . This goal conflicts with that of the unionists in Northern Ireland, who want the region to remain part of the United Kingdom . The Irish and British governments agreed, under the 1998 Belfast Agreement, that the status of Northern Ireland will not change without the consent of a majority of its population . In its white paper on Brexit the United Kingdom government reiterated its commitment to the Belfast Agreement . With regard to Northern Ireland's status, it said that the UK Government's "clearly - stated preference is to retain Northern Ireland's current constitutional position: as part of the UK, but with strong links to Ireland". </P>

Why did northern ireland separate from the rest of ireland
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