The Ireland Funds - Bill Clinton, John Hume

Bill Clinton, John Hume and the Tip O'Neill Chair : July 7, 2003

Click any photo to send as an ecard!

This summer at Magee College in his native city of Derry, noble laureate and statesman John Hume was installed as the latest occupant of the Tip O'Neill Chair of Peace Studies.

The Chair was established, with help from The Ireland Funds, to commemorate the work of Tip O'Neill, that giant of Irish American relations.

It was inaugurated in 1995 to coincide with Bill Clinton's historic visit to Ireland and the first visit by a US President to Northern Ireland.

It was fitting then that John's tenure was announced by President Clinton on a return visit to the city. In his address he spoke of how Ireland's peace process was an example to the world saying; "I have studied every peace agreement made and everyone not made everywhere in the world in the last 50 years. Nobody could have done a better job in reconciling the complicating and conflicting interests that you did in the Good Friday Agreement".

John Hume will use this period at the university to bring some of the most highly regarded peace makers of the world in Northern Ireland where they can encourage and learn from the peace process. John will also use this as an opportunity to work on his diary

Kieran McLoughlin, Director Ireland Funds, said; "The work of Bill Clinton, Tip O'Neill and John Hume and the fact that our support for the Chair came from donors in the United States are expressions of the profound friendship between America and Ireland". The event was attended by leading political and business leaders and members of The Funds' Board and the Advisory Committee.

1-2 President Clinton meets delighted students at the University

3. President Clinton announces the Tip O'Neill Chair

4. John and Pat Hume with President Clinton

5. Mr. Bill Clinton makes his address, watched intently by
L-R Prof. Tom Fraser, Prof Gerry McKenna, Mr Kieran McLoughlin, Prof John Hume

6. L-R Prof John Hume, President Clinton, Mr Mark Durkin-Leader of the SDLP, Councilor Shaun Gallagher-Mayor of City of Derry

7. Prof John Hume pictured with members of the event organizing team and the UU press team
L-R Ms Alison Milne, Ms Ellie Bryden, Ms Trina Porter, Prof John Hume, Ms Amanda Fullerton, Ms Caroline McNutt, Ms Debbie Caulfield and Mrs Janet Farren

8. Kieran McLoughlin, Director of The Ireland Funds in Ireland with President Bill Clinton.