The day after his groundbreaking handshake with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness delivered the following speech (which has been condensed for publication) at a Sinn Féin event in Westminster. Though he describes the handshake as political, highly significant and very symbolic, McGuinness doesn’t believe that the journey to … [Read more...] about The Last Word: A Handshake on the Road to Reconciliation
Peace Process
President William J. Clinton: Irish America Hall of Fame
Politician, peacemaker, and hero to millions of Irish. As a major supporter of the Irish peace process, Bill Clinton moved mountains. The 42nd President of the United States took the strongest position on Irish issues ever taken by an American president. In 1994, he granted a visa to Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, fulfilling a campaign promise and stating “the U.S. cannot … [Read more...] about President William J. Clinton: Irish America Hall of Fame
William J. Flynn: Irish America Hall of Fame
A leader in business and a force for progress in the Northern Ireland peace process. When William J. Flynn was celebrated in a special issue of Irish America in 2008, the outpouring of praise from both sides of the Atlantic was immense. Irish President Mary McAleese, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness, Edward Cardinal … [Read more...] about William J. Flynn: Irish America Hall of Fame
The Irish Issue
As the 2004 United States Presidential Election Approaches, Irish Americans want to be informed of the candidates' policies on Irish issues. Deanna Turner approached President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry about their positions on immigration, the recent deportations of Irish republicans, the new U.S.-U.K. extradition treaty, the Good Friday Agreement, and what the … [Read more...] about The Irish Issue
Northern Ireland in Crisis?
The more things change, the more they stay the same, was one cynic's response to the election results in Northern Ireland on November 26, which resulted in overwhelming victories for Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Gerry Adams's Sinn Féin Party. Other, less cynical observers point out that the majority of voters, 70 percent, chose to support pro-Agreement … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland in Crisis?