NEW YORK - Hillary Clinton got a warm welcome at an Irish American forum in New York on Wednesday, though the jovial crowd did break into a chorus of “Why are we waiting?” when she didn’t show up on time.

Organizers of the event recalled the New York senator’s husband, Bill Clinton, speaking at the same event in 1992 where he pledged to grant a visa to Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and to appoint a special envoy to Northern Ireland, describing it as a “seminal moment” in the peace process there.

“Were it not for the Clintons there would be no Good Friday Agreement and there would not be peace in Northern Ireland today,” said radio broadcaster Adrian Flannelly, a leading figure in the Irish American community in the United States.

Kings County District Attorney Joe Hynes, who introduced Clinton, said those who questioned how significant the former first lady’s role was in the peace process were wrong: ”Those of us who were involved know damn well she was involved,” he said.

An Irish folk singer warmed up the crowd with a few ballads about the old country, but by the time he was done, there was still no sign of Clinton, who has been known to keep her audience waiting for well over an hour at campaign events.

John Dearie, who created the Irish American presidential forum, said if she didn’t arrive soon he would have to start inviting audience members to sing. Several guests did so and somebody started a round of the song “Why are we waiting?”

They didn’t have to wait too long — she was less than half an hour late.

When she did come, she promised to meet their request to visit Ireland and Northern Ireland during her first term as president, if elected. “What a hardship,” she said, adding that she made six trips so far and was “always looking for an excuse to go back.”

Clinton did not join in the singing.

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Photo credit: Reuters/Jim Young (In March 2006, US Senator Hillary Clinton hugs Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams on Capitol Hill in Washington)