In the year 1800, Ireland was integrated into the United Kingdom through the Act of Union, which placed full control under the British Parliament in London. This decision left many members of the Irish community, particularly Nationalists and Catholics, feeling dissatisfied with the arrangement. They believed that Ireland deserved the right to govern its own affairs and establish its own Parliament. Advocates for Irish self-governance argued that a “Home Rule” Parliament would provide better political representation and allow them to advocate for their own interests. After a long struggle and several failed attempts, the Home Rule bill was finally passed on May 25, 1914, granting Ireland the ability to self-govern within the United Kingdom.

The initial bill was proposed in April 1911 in response to the growing unrest in Ireland. It passed the House of Commons by a 10-point majority, but was vetoed by the House of Lords. It was reintroduced in 1912, again passing the House of Commons, only to be rejected a second time by the House of Lords. After a third introduction on May 25, 1914, the bill once more passed the House of Commons but was again rejected by the House of Lords. However, the Government utilized provisions established in the Parliament Act of 1911 to override the House of Lords’ decision.

Although the bill officially passed in September 1914, its implementation was immediately suspended due to the outbreak of World War I, and it was never fully enacted. An act to repeal the Home Rule Bill was subsequently passed in 1920. Currently, Ireland does have a form of Home Rule, but it differs from the original intentions of the proposal made in 1911. Northern Ireland, which remains part of the United Kingdom, operates under a devolved government that grants it some local authority and autonomy. In contrast, the Republic of Ireland is a sovereign nation with its own government and laws, independent of the United Kingdom.