of the island, see History of Ireland . Province Population Area (km²) Largest city   Connacht 503,083 17,713 Galway   Leinster 2,292,939 19,774 Dublin   Munster 1,172,170 24,608 Cork   Ulster 1,993,918 [8] 24,481 Belfast Traditionally, Ireland is subdivided into four provinces : Connacht , Leinster ,