In June 2002 Ian was awarded the President’s Prize. Ian dedicated the prize from former President Bill Clinton, to the people of Crossmaglen.
“I want to dedicate this honour to the people of Crossmaglen,” said Ian. “And I simply want to carry on with my work, letting people know that I’m here for anyone who wants to help build community with a fuller, deeper way of life that deals with fear and the legacy of pain.”
After being initially awarded the prize the Consular General at the US Consulate in Belfast, Ian travelled to Washington on St Patrick’s Day 2003 and met US President George Bush.
You can read more at the links below from articles published in the Newry Democrat at the time: