Ireland is divided into 31 counties, which form the primary level of administrative division in the country. These counties serve largely as geographical and cultural identifiers rather than units of local government, as their administrative functions have been substantially reduced since the late 20th century. While counties historically managed local services and governance, most administrative responsibilities now rest with local authorities such as city and county councils, which may cover different boundaries than the traditional counties. The counties remain significant for purposes including postal addresses, sports organization (particularly Gaelic games), vehicle registration, and regional identity. Some counties have been merged or reorganized for administrative purposes, with Dublin divided into four local authority areas and certain other counties combined into single administrative units.