Munster (Irish: an Mhumhain [ə ˈvˠuːnʲ] or Cúige Mumhan [ˌkuːɟə ˈmˠuːn̪ˠ]) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (Irish: rí ruirech). Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into counties for administrative and judicial purposes. In later centuries, local government legislation has seen further sub-division of the historic counties.