It isn't really true to say that Ireland or Wales were what we would consider sovereign countries by modern standards before English rule/colonisation.
Ireland had a vast number of minor and major kingdoms with perhaps only Brian Boru being close to a true ruler over all Ireland, and that for less than 20 years in the early 11th century.
Similarly Wales have various kingdoms and only Gruffydd ap Llywelyn ruled a united Wales, again for a short period of time (less than 10 years) in the 11th century.
What both countries did have was a strong cultural identity across their various kingdoms, especially in contrast to the Anglo-Saxon and Norman ruled majority in England.
peter3hg t1_iyc5ca8 wrote
Reply to comment by UncontrolableUrge in ELI5: Why is wales a country but not the states of the US by coolredditfan
It isn't really true to say that Ireland or Wales were what we would consider sovereign countries by modern standards before English rule/colonisation.
Ireland had a vast number of minor and major kingdoms with perhaps only Brian Boru being close to a true ruler over all Ireland, and that for less than 20 years in the early 11th century.
Similarly Wales have various kingdoms and only Gruffydd ap Llywelyn ruled a united Wales, again for a short period of time (less than 10 years) in the 11th century.
What both countries did have was a strong cultural identity across their various kingdoms, especially in contrast to the Anglo-Saxon and Norman ruled majority in England.