i have a scots friend, and all the stuff we use in northern ireland, she is very aware of them, and familiar. it came in with the planters.the rest of ulster (9 counties) the other 3, cavan monaghan and donegal, dont have these expressions as much as the other 6 counties, donegal has some, mostly the heaviest planted, the areas with the best farmland.the other 3 are native irish.