The Framework of Home Rule

The work opens with a clear statement of purpose: to present a concrete plan for Irish self‑government that rests on solid historical grounding. By tracing the parallel paths of colonisation, revolution and settlement across the English‑speaking world, the author shows how Ireland’s experience fits into a broader imperial pattern. The narrative blends factual overview with a persuasive argument, urging readers to see Home Rule as a logical outcome of past lessons rather than a fanciful ideal.

Organised into a series of tightly focused chapters, the book moves from early colonisation of Ireland and America through the Irish Parliament of Grattan, the Union, and comparable developments in Canada, Australia and South Africa. It then turns to the financial side of the question, examining pre‑Union revenues, the 1890s Financial Relations Commission, current fiscal arrangements, and proposals for Irish control of customs, debt and land‑purchase loans. The final sections outline the essential elements of an Irish constitution, inviting listeners to consider how a well‑designed framework could reconcile local autonomy with the wider empire.