New York, NY–

At an event in midtown Manhattan, Irish Americans honored President Bill Clinton for his work during his presidency on the Northern Ireland peace process. The event was packed with enthusiastic Irish American supporters who gave the former president a very warm welcome. Gathering at Gallagher’s steakhouse the event also commemorated the ten-year anniversary of the Good Friday Accords. Clinton discussed the peace process saying he was “grateful for the chance” referring to his role in ending the centuries long conflict.

Irish president, Bertie Ahern–who will step down May 6th amidst a financial scandal, which he adamantly denies– sent a letter, which was read aloud praising both Clinton and his wife for her “vital role” in the peace process:

“I would also like to thank Hillary Clinton for the vital role she played. Her support in these divided communities, bringing people together to work in partnership and her support and encouragement helped us through some very difficult times,” Ahern wrote, ” Bill and Hillary have been good and true friends of the Irish people and for that we will always be grateful and we will thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”

The 42nd president took a break from campaigning for his wife to attend the non-political event. But, he did mention that he was in Pennsylvania recently “hunting votes” at a St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Even though the crowd was gathered to praise him he said that peace would not have been brought to the region without the work of Irish Americans and their support of their countrymen:

“I doubt very seriously despite even with their best efforts that the Irish could have done this without the American Diaspora without you staying after the political leaders in this country all those years and sending money and sending it all those years.”

Clinton was introduced by Irish American leader, activist, and lawyer Brian O’Dwyer who mentioned David Trimble’s comments about Hillary Clinton’s role in the Northern Ireland peace process:
“Today there were those who would re-write history, John Major tells us that by giving the visa to Gerry Adams we impeded the march toward peace.” O’Dwyer said, “David Trimble tells us that Hillary had little to do with the peace process. But your presence here today shows us that Irish America knows so much better.”

Trimble, who shared the Nobel peace price in 1998 for his work on the peace accords, has said Clinton exaggerated her role in the peace process. The Obama campaign has also questioned her involvement in the accords. But, John Hume–who shared the Nobel with Trimble–has commended Clinton for her peace work while she was First Lady.

After the event, President Clinton joined his wife for her star-studded fundraiser—an Elton John concert at Radio City Music Hall.

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