British Isles Terminology of the British Isles

the dictionary definition of british isles is geographical term refers whole of ireland , great britain surrounding islands. incorrectly used if identical uk; or refer great britain , surrounding islands, excluding island of ireland entirely. bbc , times have style guides mandate dictionary definition occasional misuse can found on web sites.

the term british isles can considered irritating or offensive on grounds modern association of term british united kingdom makes application ireland inappropriate.

the term british isles can considered imply proprietary title on entire archipelago.

the policy of government of ireland no branch of government should use term, , although on occasion used in geographical sense in irish parliamentary debates, done in way excludes republic of ireland. in october 2006, times quoted spokesman irish embassy in london saying discourage use.

during stop-over visit republic of ireland in 1989, leader of soviet union, mikhail gorbachev, indicated assumed ireland s head of state queen elizabeth ii, given british queen , officials said ireland part of british isles.

in northern ireland, nationalists reject term , instead use these islands, these isles or britain , ireland alternative.

there have been several suggestions replacements term british isles. although there no single accepted replacement, terms great britain , ireland, british isles , ireland , britain , ireland used.