Plans are now underway to welcome Bill and Hillary Clinton to Ireland in mid-September. It will be the US president's third visit, and while the reason is to applaud/ support the on-going peace process, the fact that Hillary is running for the Senate in New York in November is a vital factor. Every Irish-American vote counts.
Sources told Quidnunc the visit will be after Labour Day (September 4th) but before October 1st when the countdown to the elections, both presidential and senate, begins. The visit is expected to be a short one (two/three days), but, despite invitations from practically every town in the country, will probably be confined to Dublin and a Northern location. Washington sources say the president hopes to be applauding the peace process rather than having to urge on the parties to greater effort. Hillary will also meet Vital Voices, a women's peace and empowerment group.