There was a significant amount of confusion, anger, and hilarity this morning when it appeared that the British media had claimed as their own the Irish county named as the coolest place to visit in 2017. Co. Donegal was shown by The Guardian newspaper to be among the areas now to leave the European Union since Brexit was triggered under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty earlier today.

In their graphic, The Guardian show a jigsaw puzzle of Europe in which the pieces of the puzzle where the UK should be are removed to signify their impending departure from the European bloc. Unfortunately for the English newspaper, these pieces also included counties Donegal and Cavan as well as parts of Co. Westmeath and Co. Wicklow, alongside the Co. Louth town of Dundalk.

For those in Northern Ireland worried about what will happen over the next two years as the Brexit process is undertaken, there also appears to be a solution. Within the same image, Newry, south Tyrone and a small part of Co. Derry will be remaining firmly within the union, if it is to be believed.

Read more: Britain officially serves the EU with divorce papers

Tomorrow's Guardian's front page #BrexitEve pic.twitter.com/vAknM6zuxS

— Katharine Viner (@KathViner) March 28, 2017

Some very entertaining frontpages on Brexit. Probably the only bit of fun we'll get from it. https://t.co/RYk0Sfx94M

— Kevin Doyle (@KevDoyle_Indo) March 29, 2017

Some very entertaining frontpages on Brexit. Probably the only bit of fun we'll get from it. https://t.co/RYk0Sfx94M

— Kevin Doyle (@KevDoyle_Indo) March 29, 2017

According to @guardian, it looks like the UK plans not only to leave the EU, but also minch off with Donegal, Cavan and Longford too #brexit pic.twitter.com/n4aDiOufwD

— Christine Wilson (@SonicWhirls) March 29, 2017

While Irish people have become accustomed to any talented Irish person being referred to as British in the UK press, this move to take large chunks of the Republic of Ireland out of the EU alongside the UK led to plenty of jokes from those in the 26 counties.

And as it’s 2017, Irish people took to Twitter to tell them:

Lads, I'm sorry too that we produced Daniel O'Donnell but ye can't just take away Donegal. #brexit pic.twitter.com/3mQWI4Uo6O

— Vicky Kavanagh (@VickyWrites) March 28, 2017

Lads, I'm sorry too that we produced Daniel O'Donnell but ye can't just take away Donegal. #brexit pic.twitter.com/3mQWI4Uo6O

— Vicky Kavanagh (@VickyWrites) March 28, 2017

@newschambers the town? What about donegal 😳 where will I go!? 🤔

— Andrea Gilligan (@andreagilligan) March 28, 2017

@newschambers @andymcgeady pretty sure my home town of Arklow is going too 😱

— Hazel Nolan (@HNolan101) March 28, 2017

WOW........no!!! don't take us with you!! @gaurdian #brexit #donegal #monaghan #cavan #leitrim pic.twitter.com/xJ1MO0ZxAS

— Fíonnadh McGonigle (@Fionnadh) March 29, 2017

There were also plenty of jokes about the fact that Northern Ireland did not vote to leave the EU, despite the UK majority doing so. This fact has resulted in some calling for a united Ireland, a call that was echoed yet again today after The Guardian’s image.

@newschambers hey most of the six counties didn't vote to leave but that isn't stopping the Brits.

— Conor Conneally (@conorconneally) March 28, 2017

A lot of people asking for Donegal and Cavan back. Sure you can give back the rest while you're at it. https://t.co/LB9vLHHL4i

— Eoghan Doherty (@dohertyeoghan) March 28, 2017

@guardian hands off Donegal and give us our six counties back too.

— Pearse Doherty (@PearseDoherty) March 28, 2017

And, of course, plenty of attention was brought to the counties that The Guardian hadn’t tried to take with them, with poor Co. Offaly on the receiving end of most of the county bashing.

@RedMistIreland You're the third person to try to give away Offaly. For the last time, they don't want it!

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) March 28, 2017

@mckenp @johnauldwebster @newschambers & they wouldn't take Cork

— JPCampbellBiz (@JP_Biz) March 28, 2017

H/T: Mashable