The prize was recently instituted by the Capitol Hill-based Irish National Caucus to ” to honor and recognize individuals who have struggled for Irish justice over the past 50 years.”

 Caucus president, Fr. Sean Mc Manus explained when he launched the Irish American Peace Prize: “We believe this Prize was needed to bring balance, truth and a sense of realism to the whole history of the past 50 years. And, I felt that I had a duty to launch the Irish American Peace Prize in order to honor real people who have been ignored: individuals who bore the heat of the day, who were not “sunshine patriots,” and who were not afraid to take a stand when it was not fashionable or easy. The reality is that many Irish-Americans were too scared or disinterested to take a stand, and some just emerged when it was easy and had no cost…”

 Fr. Mc Manus who has known Mr. Clifford since the early 1970s said: “Nobody in America has shown more devotion to unity, justice, and peace in Ireland. When I was based in Boston (1975-1978), I was profoundly impressed with and inspired by, Tommy from County Clare, and his wife Agnes from County Cavan. They showed extraordinary dedication to The Cause. I wanted to include Agnes in the honor, but she insisted that it should go to Tommy alone.”

Tommy Clifford said: “I am deeply honored to receive the Irish American Peace Prize. And I am doubly honored to receive it from my old friend Fr.McManus. All true Irish-Americans believe,  in the words of the  Irish National Caucus and Irish American Peace Prize that:’Ireland, too, has the right to be One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'”