One of the things that makes counties so significant in England and more so in Ireland is the link to sporting championships.

In England it's County Cricket, and only in some counties. Those are the championships that matter. That's an example of how county loyalty can be stronger than national - I am sure there are a lot of people in Yorkshire for example who would see it as much more important that Yorkshire should do well, than that, for example the English team should win the Ashes against Australia. Especially if there weren't Yorkshire players in the side.

In Ireland in the Gaelic sports, the counties are the main thing, and any time a county is in a big match to win the All Ireland championship, the whole place will blossom with county flags on pretty well all the houses.