Pedant Alert

I believe "Riding" was originally "Trithing" (a third part or division into three)
Since all points of the compass end in wither "t" or "th"
North Trithing, West Trithing etc soon became North 'riding , West 'riding.

However, I can't explain why Tipp. ended up with only two ridings.

(We Corkonians didn't steal one, whatever they say!)