Key Takeaways
- White House officials advised against a public handshake between Bill Clinton and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams during Clinton’s 1995 visit to Ireland
- The handshake, which took place on the Falls Road in Belfast, was seen as a significant moment in the peace process
- Newly released documents reveal that the White House had wanted to avoid a public handshake, with officials citing concerns about the potential backlash
- The documents also shed light on Clinton’s ancestral links to Ireland, with a genealogist concluding that his claimed connections to Co Fermanagh were "based largely on fantasy"
- The National Archives of Ireland has released a batch of declassified government files, including documents related to Clinton’s 1995 visit and his ancestral links to Ireland
Introduction to the 1995 Visit
The year 1995 was a significant one for Ireland, as it marked the first time a serving US president, Bill Clinton, had visited the country. Clinton’s visit was seen as a major milestone in the peace process, and it was hoped that it would help to bring about a new era of cooperation and understanding between the different factions in Northern Ireland. However, behind the scenes, there were concerns about the potential repercussions of Clinton’s visit, particularly with regards to his interactions with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. According to newly released documents, White House officials had advised Clinton to avoid shaking Adams’ hand in front of cameras, due to concerns about the potential backlash.
The Handshake
Despite the advice from his officials, Clinton did ultimately shake hands with Adams on the Falls Road in Belfast, in a moment that was seen as a significant breakthrough in the peace process. The handshake was a major news event, and it was widely reported in the media at the time. However, according to the documents, the White House had wanted to avoid a public handshake, with officials citing concerns about the potential repercussions. A letter written by Irish government official David Donoghue ahead of the presidential visit detailed how "the Americans would prefer to avoid a handshake photograph between the president and Adams". The handshake was a significant moment for Clinton, who would later describe it as a "big deal" and say that it felt at the time as though "the pavement was about to crack open".
Clinton’s Ancestral Links to Ireland
The documents also shed light on Clinton’s ancestral links to Ireland, which had been the subject of much speculation over the years. According to a genealogist who researched Clinton’s ancestry, his claimed connections to Co Fermanagh were "based largely on fantasy". The genealogist, Sean Murphy, found that the earliest trace of Clinton’s maternal ancestors was probably Zachariah Cassidy, born in about 1750-60 in South Carolina, and his son Levi. Murphy concluded that the Cassidy "clan" claim that the earliest ancestor was a Luke or Lucas Cassidy of Roslea, Co Fermanagh, was "based largely on fantasy". However, he did say that it was "reasonable to speculate" that Clinton’s family had at one time emigrated to America from an Ulster county.
The National Archives of Ireland
The documents related to Clinton’s 1995 visit and his ancestral links to Ireland are just a few examples of the many files that have been released by the National Archives of Ireland in recent years. The archives release batches of declassified government files annually, with information typically relating to events 30 years before. Last year, it was revealed that former US attorney general Janet Reno had strongly advised Clinton not to give Adams a temporary visa in 1995, as there was no evidence that suggested "progress has been made towards the disarmament and demobilisation of the IRA". The visa included permission for fundraising in the US. The release of these documents provides a fascinating insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of government and the complexities of international diplomacy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the newly released documents provide a fascinating insight into the events surrounding Clinton’s 1995 visit to Ireland and his interactions with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. The documents reveal that the White House had advised against a public handshake between Clinton and Adams, due to concerns about the potential repercussions. They also shed light on Clinton’s ancestral links to Ireland, which were found to be "based largely on fantasy". The release of these documents is a significant event, and it provides a unique glimpse into the complexities of international diplomacy and the behind-the-scenes workings of government. As the National Archives of Ireland continues to release batches of declassified government files, it is likely that we will learn even more about the events of the past and the people who shaped them.