An interesting aside to Terry Wogan's excellent personal insight into Ireland was the name of a bar he visited in Cork. It was called "The Hi-B".

I had always thought that this name, which I take to be a contraction of Hibernian, had originated in Scotland because of our football club.

Would I be right in thinking that Irish people have long called themselves "Hi-B's" and that the name Hibs comes from this rather than shortening Hibernian?

Any information or citations I can follow up would be gratefully appreciated.