New York, NY - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed a tremendous honor from the Irish America Magazine last night for her longstanding support for Ireland and the Irish-American community. At a ceremony in New York City, Senator Clinton was named "Person of the Year" last night at the Twenty-Second Annual "Top 100" Awards Ceremony where one hundred of the nation's top Irish-Americans were honored for their outstanding achievements and their commitment to their Irish heritage.

"The political, cultural and social ties between Ireland and New York have been developed and strengthened for more than a century. I am deeply honored by this award and so very proud of New York's Irish-American community. Our shared and vibrant past is inextricably linked with New York and America's cultural history. I am so pleased to be here as we celebrate the profound impact Irish-Americans have had on state and our country," Senator Clinton said following receipt of the award.

Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief and Co-founder of Irish America, said, "The Irish don't necessarily live in 'Irish neighborhoods' any more so we are delighted, once a year, to bring outstanding Irish-Americans from all walks of life together for a special evening celebrating our unique Irish heritage."

Irish America Founding Publisher Niall O'Dowd commented, "The Top 100 is an extraordinary event which highlights the leading Irish-Americans. In its twenty-second year it has blazed a trail in identifying those to whom heritage and success go hand in hand. This year we are especially delighted in honoring Senator Hillary Clinton for her work on the Northern Ireland peace process, and the producers Moya Doherty and John McColgan, who created Riverdance and now bring us the extraordinary story of The Pirate Queen."

Distinguished Irish-Americans from the worlds of entertainment, sports, media, music, politics, were also honored at last night's ceremony. Moya Doherty and John McColgan, producers of The Pirate Queen, received the first Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award for their distinguished career, which includes the international hit "Riverdance" and their latest production, "The Pirate Queen."

Irish America is the leading national glossy publication of Irish interest in North America.

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