Proponents of Home Rule argued that Ireland should have its own parliament and government, responsible for domestic affairs, while matters of foreign policy and defense would remain under the control of the British government. This arrangement, they believed, would allow Ireland to manage its own affairs and pursue its own interests, while maintaining a close relationship with Britain.
The slogan "Home Rule, Rome Rule" was particularly popular among Irish nationalists who were also Roman Catholics. They saw Home Rule as a way to protect their religious and cultural traditions, which they feared were under threat from Protestant-dominated British rule.
The slogan was also used by some Irish Protestants who supported Home Rule, although many Protestants opposed it, fearing that it would lead to the dominance of Catholics in Irish politics.
The Home Rule movement ultimately succeeded in achieving its goal of self-government for Ireland. The Government of Ireland Act of 1920 established the Irish Free State, a self-governing dominion within the British Empire. However, the Free State was not fully independent and did not have complete control over its own foreign policy or defense. It was also partitioned, with the six northern counties of Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom.
The partition of Ireland led to a civil war and eventually to the creation of the independent Republic of Ireland in 1949. The slogan "Home Rule, Rome Rule" is therefore no longer relevant to the political situation in Ireland today.