McGimpsey, Bill
Peacemakers
Far fewer Irish-Americans support the Unionist cause in the Northern Ireland peace process than the Nationalists. But from 1994 onwards, mainly in response to the expanding involvement of the Clinton administration in the peace process, a small but determined Unionist support network was put forth by Putnam County resident Bill McGimpsey, a native of County Down.
His relatives in Northern Ireland are members of the Ulster Unionist Party (his cousins Chris and Michael McGimpsey came to prominence when they challenged the Anglo-Irish Agreement by bringing a suit against the Irish government, arguing that the Agreement was invalid because it contradicted Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland).
A supporter of David Trimble, the Ulster Unionist Party leader who made a considerable contribution to the peace process by signing the Good Friday Agreement, Bill McGimpsey also contributed, particularly in conveying Unionist perspectives to White House policymakers.
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