Hillary Rodham Clinton was inducted into the Irish America Hall of Fame on Monday and stressed the importance of women in forming long-lasting peace in Ireland . The former secretary of state and likely Democratic presidential contender - who is part English , Welsh and Scottish , but not Irish - addressed a luncheon in New York and said personal relations are crucial in establishing agreements that last . On the eve of St. Patrick 's Day , Irish America magazine praised Clinton for her work on the Irish peace process . Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks after being inducted into the Irish American Hall of Fame in New York on Monday . A copy of Irish America magazine features a cover of Clinton , who spoke at the ceremony about long-lasting peace agreements and how they need to happen at a personal level . She spoke about her experience meeting women in Northern Ireland and made the case that their involvement was crucial to cementing lasting peace in the region , along with the Good Friday agreement . She described sitting at a table in Belfast with women from both sides of the conflict and watching as they discovered how much they shared , over cups of tea . 'You can not bring peace and security to people just by signing an agreement , ' she said . 'In fact , most peace agreements do n't last . ' 'You can not bring peace and security to people just by signing an agreement , ' Clinton said at the ceremony , citing a time when she was having tea in Belfast with women from both sides of the conflict , who had more in common than they realized . She said that when 'the work of peace permeates down to the kitchen table , to the backyard , to the neighborhood , around cups of tea , there 's a much greater chance the agreement will hold . ' Clinton did not address the controversy surrounding her use of private email during her time as secretary of state at the event . Previous inductees of the hall of fame include former President Bill Clinton , Vice President Joe Biden and media personalities Bill O'Reilly and Chris Matthews . Clinton is presented with a gift by Niall O'Dowd , publisher of the Irish America magazine for being inducted into the Irish American Hall of Fame .
Clinton was praised on Monday for her work on the Irish peace process . She spoke about meeting women in Northern Ireland and said their involvement was crucial to cementing lasting peace in the region . Clinton is part English , Welsh and Scottish , but not Irish . 'You can not bring peace and security to people just by signing an agreement , ' she said . Clinton was inducted into hall of fame by Irish America magazine .