[article] Folens to wipe 'British Isles' off the map in new atlas

Navan Junction · 02-10-2006, 07:23

Irish Times, 02/10/2006

Folens publishers has said it plans to produce a "more correct" version of its widely-used school atlas from January which will omit all references to the "British Isles", writes Áine Kerr.

The glossy world atlas has a section of 31 pages with maps and information, all of which show Ireland under the heading of the British Isles.

Following a recent complaint by a parent to the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, her private secretary issued a letter on her behalf recommending that the aggrieved parent raise the matter directly with the teacher who was using the atlas or the school's board of management.

"She also advises you to bring the matter to the attention of Folens, the publishing company concerned," the letter states, adding that the Department does not have a role in vetting the content of publications, including textbooks, produced by commercial companies.

The introduction of the Folens atlas follows a recent entry on the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia on the term "British Isles" which stated that the phrase could be "confusing and objectionable to some people, particularly in Ireland".

The term has in the past been used in a purely geographical sense, to make clear Ireland's proximity to Britain.

However, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has ruled that the term is not used by the Government and is without any official status.

It was made clear by him that the term is not recognised in any legal or inter-governmental sense.

It has been suggested in education circles that the Folens atlas highlights the need to have a checking system whereby all textbooks are checked to ensure they conform with the curriculum as outlined by the National Council for Curriculum Assessment.

The Irish Embassy in London has also been urged to monitor the media in Britain for "any abuse of the official terms as set out in the Constitution of Ireland and in legislation".

John O'Connor of Folens insisted he had received no complaints from parents regarding the new atlas. The issue had, however, been brought to his attention by a geography teacher.

"I have a policy that if I see a potential problem I'll act on it immediately instead of waiting to see if a problem arises. So from January 2007 the reference will be removed."

© The Irish Times

Thomas J Stamp · 02-10-2006, 10:42

Geographicly we are in the British Isles. Are you mixing up the Island of Britan, the political entity of the United Kingdon of Great Britan and Northern Ireland? What else do you call the collection of islands off the north-west of Europe?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles

We are all one race under the one true Catholic God, let's put aside all our differances, like the Jews and Arabs in the middle east, why cant cant they get along like good Christians?

Navan Junction · 02-10-2006, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas J Stamp

What else do you call the collection of islands off the north-west of Europe?

The Irish Isles?

ccos · 02-10-2006, 11:55

Quote:

The Irish Isles?
__________________
Navan Rail now, Not 2015 - Meath on Track.com

philip · 02-10-2006, 12:38

Mark Hennessy · 02-10-2006, 14:26

Glad to see a concerned parent with a lot of time on their hands

Donal Quinn · 09-10-2006, 11:56

western isles?

Thomas J Stamp · 09-10-2006, 16:02

For some reason this is the hottest topic on boards commuting/transport board.

AND no mention of zonal/integrated ticketing!!!!

Oisin88 · 09-10-2006, 17:22

Em, why do the Islands need a name?

Navan Junction · 09-10-2006, 18:48

Thank you. A voice of sanity.

Navan Junction · 09-10-2006, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas J Stamp

For some reason this is the hottest topic on boards commuting/transport board.

AND no mention of zonal/integrated ticketing!!!!

Good point. Any time I get the train ferry train to Glasgow (ok only twice) there was no integration.......... Not even from the mainland into the Irish sea

alek smart · 09-10-2006, 21:08

WE could always try....."Standing in the Isles"......Coming soon to an offshore island like YOURS !!

Mark Gleeson · 09-10-2006, 21:09

You can get a through ticket from London to Dublin that is valid on the DART

Navan Junction · 10-10-2006, 05:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by alek smart

WE could always try....."Standing in the Isles"......Coming soon to an offshore island like YOURS !!

Nah, I was born in the sea in between the british isles apparently. Explains the webbed feet..!

Are you serious about the Dart ticket Mark? That is incredible. I've no problem with that if it is true (as long as it doesn't say 'valid throughout the British isles!)...

Mark Gleeson · 10-10-2006, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navan Junction

Are you serious about the Dart ticket Mark? That is incredible. I've no problem with that if it is true (as long as it doesn't say 'valid throughout the British isles!)...

Always serious
http://www.stenaline.co.uk/stena_lin...b/by_rail.html

Thomas J Stamp · 10-10-2006, 13:16

Quote:

Em, why do the Islands need a name?

The same way Greenland (which isnt actually one island, its several, just covered with ice) will become the Greenland Isles when the ice melts.

The name sadly comes from the Romans (damn them) who gaxed forth from Gaul and said:

"Er, Erasmus, what's that over there?"

"Well, Marcus, that there's your actual British Isles" "

How's that then Erasmus?"

"Because that's where the Britons live and theres, like, loads of islands"

"That'll create no end of petty political confusoin in about two thousand years time I'll bet"

"Absolutly. Let's go and kill some more ancestors of the Platform11 Publicity officer"

"You mean the one who runs this internet forum about the adventures of an alien in time and space?"

"Do you mean this:
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=850 ?"

"That's a very good linlk, for a Roman"

"Why thank you"

Navan Junction · 10-10-2006, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Always serious
http://www.stenaline.co.uk/stena_lin...b/by_rail.html

Good. Somebody should tell the RPA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas J Stamp

"Because that's where the Britons live and theres, like, loads of islands"

Nope. We weren't ancient britons

Thomas J Stamp · 11-10-2006, 09:43

Quote:

Nope. We weren't ancient britons

Go tell the Romans that, so.

And a couple of thousand years of history.

Pity we lost Liam Lawlor, he could have sorted out our postal address problems.

ccos · 11-10-2006, 10:09

Why do two islands need a name?

Whats the name for the Sardinia/ Corsica pairing?

I don't think anyone says Corsica is part of the "Sardinian Islands"

PaulM · 12-10-2006, 08:57

Right, from now on New Zealand shall be known as "North island & South island".

Japan shall only be known by each islands name, same goes for the carribeann and any other island groups I can think of. Ireland and Britain shall no longer be included in Europe, canaries will all be known singularily and will not be part of Europe.

I hope I haven't forgotten any.

Here's a better idea, get over the anti-British sentiment and except that it is just a name for a group of islands. Thread locked.

02-10-2006, 07:23	#1
Navan Junction Really Regular Poster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Navan Posts: 305	[article] Folens to wipe 'British Isles' off the map in new atlas Irish Times, 02/10/2006 Folens publishers has said it plans to produce a "more correct" version of its widely-used school atlas from January which will omit all references to the "British Isles", writes Áine Kerr. The glossy world atlas has a section of 31 pages with maps and information, all of which show Ireland under the heading of the British Isles. Following a recent complaint by a parent to the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, her private secretary issued a letter on her behalf recommending that the aggrieved parent raise the matter directly with the teacher who was using the atlas or the school's board of management. "She also advises you to bring the matter to the attention of Folens, the publishing company concerned," the letter states, adding that the Department does not have a role in vetting the content of publications, including textbooks, produced by commercial companies. The introduction of the Folens atlas follows a recent entry on the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia on the term "British Isles" which stated that the phrase could be "confusing and objectionable to some people, particularly in Ireland". The term has in the past been used in a purely geographical sense, to make clear Ireland's proximity to Britain. However, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has ruled that the term is not used by the Government and is without any official status. It was made clear by him that the term is not recognised in any legal or inter-governmental sense. It has been suggested in education circles that the Folens atlas highlights the need to have a checking system whereby all textbooks are checked to ensure they conform with the curriculum as outlined by the National Council for Curriculum Assessment. The Irish Embassy in London has also been urged to monitor the media in Britain for "any abuse of the official terms as set out in the Constitution of Ireland and in legislation". John O'Connor of Folens insisted he had received no complaints from parents regarding the new atlas. The issue had, however, been brought to his attention by a geography teacher. "I have a policy that if I see a potential problem I'll act on it immediately instead of waiting to see if a problem arises. So from January 2007 the reference will be removed." © The Irish Times

02-10-2006, 10:42	#2
Thomas J Stamp Chairman/Publicity Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Home of Hurling Posts: 2,708	Geographicly we are in the British Isles. Are you mixing up the Island of Britan, the political entity of the United Kingdon of Great Britan and Northern Ireland? What else do you call the collection of islands off the north-west of Europe? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles We are all one race under the one true Catholic God, let's put aside all our differances, like the Jews and Arabs in the middle east, why cant cant they get along like good Christians? __________________ We are the passengers

09-10-2006, 16:02	#8
Thomas J Stamp Chairman/Publicity Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Home of Hurling Posts: 2,708	For some reason this is the hottest topic on boards commuting/transport board. AND no mention of zonal/integrated ticketing!!!! __________________ We are the passengers

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02-10-2006, 12:38	#5
philip Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 632	<philip steers well clear of this thread>

02-10-2006, 14:26	#6
Mark Hennessy Membership Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Maynooth Posts: 1,116	Glad to see a concerned parent with a lot of time on their hands

09-10-2006, 11:56	#7
Donal Quinn Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 267	western isles?

09-10-2006, 17:22	#9
Oisin88 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dublin Posts: 608	Em, why do the Islands need a name?

09-10-2006, 18:48	#10
Navan Junction Really Regular Poster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Navan Posts: 305	Thank you. A voice of sanity.

09-10-2006, 21:08	#12
alek smart Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 144	WE could always try....."Standing in the Isles"......Coming soon to an offshore island like YOURS !!

09-10-2006, 21:09	#13
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	You can get a through ticket from London to Dublin that is valid on the DART

11-10-2006, 10:09	#19
ccos Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kazbegi Posts: 281	Why do two islands need a name? Whats the name for the Sardinia/ Corsica pairing? I don't think anyone says Corsica is part of the "Sardinian Islands"

12-10-2006, 08:57	#20
PaulM Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 826	Right, from now on New Zealand shall be known as "North island & South island". Japan shall only be known by each islands name, same goes for the carribeann and any other island groups I can think of. Ireland and Britain shall no longer be included in Europe, canaries will all be known singularily and will not be part of Europe. I hope I haven't forgotten any. Here's a better idea, get over the anti-British sentiment and except that it is just a name for a group of islands. Thread locked.