0:00:02 > 0:00:03- Ordinary people...- After 35 years,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05I drove a DeLorean again.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07..with extraordinary stories.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10She just takes off her wig and throws it into the punch bowl.
0:00:10 > 0:00:11Everybody was, sort of...
0:00:11 > 0:00:14- BELFAST ACCENT: - "Welcome to the Belly of the Pope."
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Bonds forged amid triumphs...
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Tears, laughter, everything - the whole lot.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23LOUD EXPLOSION ..and tragedies.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27I had just walked into...hell.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31They shared a past, then faced a future apart.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33God bless you for what you've done.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Brought together by fate,
0:00:35 > 0:00:37separated by time.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38Long time, boy!
0:00:40 > 0:00:43CHOIR SING: # Sleep in heavenly peace... #
0:00:49 > 0:00:50In today's programme...
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Bill Clinton became the first United States President
0:00:54 > 0:00:56to visit Northern Ireland.
0:00:56 > 0:00:5920 years on, the people he met
0:00:59 > 0:01:01remember how the Clinton connection changed their lives.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07I didn't realise it was going to be the most astonishing day in my life.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- The President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton. - CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:01:11 > 0:01:13I knew that this was a special moment
0:01:13 > 0:01:16and this was something good that was finally happening for us.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22And the car made here that made movie history.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24I couldn't believe it.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27So proud that I was, I said, "We have built a car."
0:01:27 > 0:01:31DeLorean workers reunite for a last lap.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34How do you feel when you look at these cars?
0:01:34 > 0:01:37I mean, it still gets you, doesn't it?
0:01:44 > 0:01:45MUSIC: Waterfalls by TLC
0:01:45 > 0:01:49# Don't go chasing waterfalls
0:01:49 > 0:01:55# Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to
0:01:55 > 0:02:00# I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all
0:02:00 > 0:02:04# But I think you're moving too fast... #
0:02:09 > 0:02:11AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
0:02:11 > 0:02:13As the first baby boomer President,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Bill Clinton was very different to those immediately before him.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Let's put this country back on the right footing.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Not since JFK had there been such a charismatic,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27effortlessly-cool politician in the White House...
0:02:28 > 0:02:29..or on the stage.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33So, when a stalled Northern Ireland Peace Process needed
0:02:33 > 0:02:36a serious shot in the arm,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39he seemed just the man to fly over and give it.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41MUSIC: Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac
0:02:43 > 0:02:49On the 30th November, 1995, the President and First Lady arrived.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53# Yesterday's gone Yesterday's gone... #
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Belfast was put into lockdown by the Secret Service,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00so when the President's motorcade made an impromptu stop
0:03:00 > 0:03:04on the Falls Road, many were caught totally unawares...
0:03:06 > 0:03:08..except local travel agent Gerry Hagan.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11His camcorder was rolling
0:03:11 > 0:03:16when he captured what would become a worldwide exclusive...
0:03:16 > 0:03:18When the limousine did come around
0:03:18 > 0:03:22and the President got out,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24I was running the camcorder.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Gerry Adams came out and then walked over to the President
0:03:27 > 0:03:30and they shook hands.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32That handshake became global news
0:03:32 > 0:03:36and Gerry Hagan's footage was soon broadcast all over the world.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38I was glad I was there. I'm glad I took it.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42If I hadn't been there, the question always would have been asked...
0:03:42 > 0:03:44"Did he shake hands or did he not?"
0:03:44 > 0:03:46MUSIC: Ray Of Light by Madonna
0:03:48 > 0:03:50# And I feel... #
0:03:50 > 0:03:54As the President widened his social circle, so did Mrs Clinton.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Hillary dropped in on a local women's group for a cuppa.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00A small and intimate gathering,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02if you didn't count all the photographers.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05When she arrived it was just "Click, click, click, click, click,"
0:04:05 > 0:04:07because there were invited press there.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10We stood up, probably rather noisily and clumsily,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13and she just came in, a wave of calm,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17and told us all to sit down and just said, "I'm dying for a cup of tea."
0:04:17 > 0:04:19And that sort of calmed us all down, because we could sit down
0:04:19 > 0:04:21and sort of compose ourselves.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25For Laura, the tea-time chat had a truly historic significance.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28After the tea was served,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31then the First Lady started to ask some questions,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34to engage in discussion around their experiences,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37their aspirations for the future,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40their aspirations for the peace process, but very, very particularly
0:04:40 > 0:04:43she was interested in their thoughts as mothers,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46and hopes and dreams for the youth of Belfast
0:04:46 > 0:04:48and Northern Ireland, as a whole.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53I know that, for every one of you who sits here at the table with me,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56there are hundreds and thousands of other women
0:04:56 > 0:04:58who could be here, as well,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02and I want to convey my personal appreciation to all of them.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04MUSIC: Man On The Moon by REM
0:05:04 > 0:05:07# If you believe They put a man on the moon... #
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Tea and biscuits finished,
0:05:09 > 0:05:13there was work to be done and speeches to be made.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17When the President visited Mackie's Factory, it fell to shop steward
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Ronnie Lewis to introduce him on stage.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24I felt, first of all, "Am I capable of doing this?"
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Everything goes through your head, so it does,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32but then the positive side of it kicks in.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36"Right, this is something worthwhile doing. I'm going to do it."
0:05:36 > 0:05:38APPLAUSE
0:05:38 > 0:05:40I'd like to say, good morning, Mr President,
0:05:40 > 0:05:42and all distinguished guests.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46This is truly a great occasion for our company, West Belfast
0:05:46 > 0:05:48and Northern Ireland, in general.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52I hope, today, that this will usher in a new era.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53APPLAUSE
0:05:53 > 0:05:57The world's most powerful man rose to his feet to thank Ronnie,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00but he was just glad his 15 minutes of fame were over.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05After the speech, the first person I met was one of my workmates
0:06:05 > 0:06:08and he said, "That was a terrible speech."
0:06:08 > 0:06:10I looked at him...
0:06:10 > 0:06:12HE LAUGHS
0:06:12 > 0:06:15I was sort of congratulating myself, I'd done all right, like, you know?
0:06:15 > 0:06:17And he said, "I'm only joking you, it was dead on."
0:06:17 > 0:06:19APPLAUSE
0:06:19 > 0:06:22MUSIC: Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me by U2
0:06:22 > 0:06:25# You don't know how you took it
0:06:25 > 0:06:27# You just know what you got
0:06:27 > 0:06:30# Oh, Lordy you've been stealing... #
0:06:30 > 0:06:32The first leg of the tour over.
0:06:32 > 0:06:33Next stop, Londonderry.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36# In the headlights
0:06:36 > 0:06:38# Of a stretch car
0:06:38 > 0:06:41# You're a star... #
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Here the reception was, if anything, even bigger.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48And among those waiting, Mayoress Carita Kerr.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52I didn't realise that it was going to be the most astonishing
0:06:52 > 0:06:57day in my life, the most amazing thing to happen in any small town.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02The Clintons were to give a speech in the Guildhall Square,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04where they were greeted like rock stars.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09The crowd just erupted and all you could hear was,
0:07:09 > 0:07:11"We want Bill, we want Bill".
0:07:11 > 0:07:16CROWD: We want Bill! We want Bill! We want Bill!
0:07:16 > 0:07:19And then, when he started speaking to us,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21it really went straight to the heart.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25Have the patience to work for a just and lasting peace.
0:07:26 > 0:07:34Reach for it. The furthest shore of that peace is within your reach.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Thank you, and God bless you all.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:07:40 > 0:07:42They were enraptured. They were just...
0:07:42 > 0:07:45They just believed every word he said
0:07:45 > 0:07:48and it was the most wonderful moment in my life.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50It was absolutely terrific.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59Nearly 20 years on, four people with special memories of the visit
0:07:59 > 0:08:02are meeting in Belfast City Centre.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07The venue - the Europa Hotel, where the Clintons stayed in 1995.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- Hello.- Hello, how are you?
0:08:11 > 0:08:12You're Gerry, is that right?
0:08:12 > 0:08:14- I am, indeed. And you are? - I'm Carita.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- I've heard all the names, but we've never met one another.- Exactly.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- We're all pieces of the same jigsaw.- Exactly.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Carita has brought along a photograph of the memorable day.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28We had the great pleasure of being at the airport that morning
0:08:28 > 0:08:31to meet Clinton arriving.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34What was it like? What were the emotions going through your mind?
0:08:34 > 0:08:38The doors opened and I looked at these two people standing
0:08:38 > 0:08:41and I just grabbed my husband's arm and said,
0:08:41 > 0:08:45"John, this is the most powerful man in the world.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- "What are we going to do now?" - GERRY LAUGHS
0:08:48 > 0:08:51For Ronnie, introducing the President on stage turned him
0:08:51 > 0:08:53into something of a global celebrity.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57It was amazing the letters I got from around the world
0:08:57 > 0:08:59and the media interest.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01I've done interviews for the Los Angeles Times
0:09:01 > 0:09:03and the New York Times.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06He even made it on to the Clintons' Christmas list.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11I didn't expect to receive any more word from them, but I got
0:09:11 > 0:09:15a beautiful letter, personal letter from the President,
0:09:15 > 0:09:20- and I also got this from the White House at Christmas. - HE LAUGHS
0:09:20 > 0:09:21It's just a wee...
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Aw, that's gorgeous.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31The thing that I can say on that day is just that the whole mood
0:09:31 > 0:09:34of the people, you could see that they were filled with hope
0:09:34 > 0:09:37and they were anticipating what was going to happen.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40I got a sense that day that there would be a legacy
0:09:40 > 0:09:44and, of course, the Clintons continued to support, obviously, the peace process
0:09:44 > 0:09:47but the wider community, and the rest is history.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- To the Clintons!- Cheers. - The Clintons!- God bless them.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Coming up...
0:09:56 > 0:09:58how four young lives were impacted
0:09:58 > 0:10:00when they played starring roles
0:10:00 > 0:10:02in the Presidential visits.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04God! I... You see me?
0:10:04 > 0:10:06I get emotional. I'm welling up!
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Great meeting you...
0:10:08 > 0:10:10We find out what happened next
0:10:10 > 0:10:11for some of the children who got
0:10:11 > 0:10:14up close with the Clinton charisma.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24MUSIC: Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty
0:10:45 > 0:10:48It's time to go back to the future
0:10:48 > 0:10:51with the story of a car that became a Hollywood superstar.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56But this icon of the screen wasn't born in California.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59It's origins lay on a former wasteland,
0:10:59 > 0:11:015,000 miles away in Belfast.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08In 1978, the economy was in deep trouble,
0:11:08 > 0:11:12so when a wealthy and flamboyant Detroit car man expressed interested
0:11:12 > 0:11:15in opening a vehicle plant in Northern Ireland,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Labour ministers sat up and listened.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22John DeLorean promised jobs.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24The UK promised him money.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- NEWSREEL:- After lengthy discussions, he secured grants,
0:11:28 > 0:11:32loans and mortgages from government agencies worth more than £70 million.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35We'll have the tree-planting ceremony here
0:11:35 > 0:11:39and we'll have some talks right after this portion of the programme.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Can we turn to this sheet first, please?
0:11:45 > 0:11:49When jobs in the DeLorean car factory were advertised,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51David Winnington was first in line.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55I was young...
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Ambitious at the time...
0:11:57 > 0:12:01and I could see maybe prospects of having a better future.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05And when Dick Mulholland arrived for his first day,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09he was surprised to find there wasn't actually a factory to work in.
0:12:09 > 0:12:15All I could see was mountains of mud, JCBs, and I said, "My goodness,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19"how is this ever going to be done for production start-up?"
0:12:20 > 0:12:24But within just 16 months, the factory and assembly line were built.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28Three contractors built it in record time.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32It was amazing the way that it was done.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35By 1981, the building of the plant was over
0:12:35 > 0:12:37and the construction of the car well underway.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41The design broke with all convention.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43There was a rear-mounted engine,
0:12:43 > 0:12:45revolutionary gull-wings
0:12:45 > 0:12:48and the car was made of steel.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Unpainted, stainless steel.
0:12:50 > 0:12:56MUSIC: Fanfare For The Common Man
0:13:05 > 0:13:08I couldn't believe it, so proud that I was.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10I said, "We have built a car."
0:13:10 > 0:13:13It just felt like your baby. You didn't want to let it go.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16It was over six feet wide, the car.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17One of the widest on Earth.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19You couldn't help but be excited by it.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23The factory produced thousands of sports models,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26primarily for the American market.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30The price? 25,000 each.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33And it created more than 2,000 jobs,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36employing workers from both sides of the religious divide.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42We got both sides in there. They worked together.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44I had people working for me
0:13:44 > 0:13:49who were both Protestant and Catholic.
0:13:49 > 0:13:55We had Orangemen sitting having their lunch with Hibernians,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59getting on together, playing cards together.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01It was a wonderful place to work.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03But sadly, it wasn't to last.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09By Christmas 1981, the US economy was sliding into recession
0:14:09 > 0:14:11and orders had plummeted.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17John DeLorean said he needed further public subsidy,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21but the new Conservative government refused.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24The optimism of the previous year quickly disappeared.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Half the workforce went.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Then, we went on to a three-day week.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Then, went on to a one day week.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34We thought we were going to be there till we retired,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37but unfortunately, it didn't work out that way.
0:14:40 > 0:14:47The company went bust in 1982, with the entire workforce made redundant.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49But they had built a car to be proud of.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55They didn't know it, then, but it was destined to become a cult classic.
0:14:59 > 0:15:031985. And a box-office smash,
0:15:03 > 0:15:08Back To The Future, would ensure this car's place in movie history.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Whenever I saw it in Back To The Future,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14the first thing I thought was you couldn't have had a better choice,
0:15:14 > 0:15:16cos of the gull wings and things like that.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Turned everything on its head, so it did, you know. Brilliant!
0:15:21 > 0:15:23The movie became a trilogy,
0:15:23 > 0:15:27one of the most successful film franchises of all time.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30And the car became its symbol.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Needless to say, I have seen Back To the Future
0:15:33 > 0:15:36I, II & III several times -
0:15:36 > 0:15:39one of which was only a week ago!
0:15:39 > 0:15:42So yeah, I still... I still get a kick out of seeing
0:15:42 > 0:15:44the car on the screen.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Three decades since the original film and even longer
0:15:50 > 0:15:55since they worked at the plant, the DeLorean workers are reuniting.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Alan can't wait to catch up with his old friends
0:15:59 > 0:16:02at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04I just hope I recognise them,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07because we're liable to have changed a little.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10I know my hair was a lot longer in my past than it is
0:16:10 > 0:16:15at the moment and the glare of my head will probably blind him.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- My goodness, what about you? - Haven't seen you for ages.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22My gosh, long time, no see.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- Is that who I think it is? - What is going on? It's been so long.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26- Joe!- David!
0:16:28 > 0:16:29Joe has brought a newspaper announcing
0:16:29 > 0:16:32the opening of the factory.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36There was lots and lots of press publicity.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41The TV crews were always there, and whenever we were clocking in,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Jimmy Deary said to me, "There's that many cameras here,
0:16:44 > 0:16:49"We'll have to wear make-up coming to work every morning."
0:16:50 > 0:16:54The jobs may have gone, but love for the cars lives on.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57The factory veterans are about to get behind the wheels of four
0:16:57 > 0:17:01vehicles they produced during that golden era.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Ah, look at that. Beautiful.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Works a treat.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- ENGINE STARTS - Purring along, just like a kitten.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15How do you feel when you look at these cars?
0:17:15 > 0:17:18I mean, it still gets you, doesn't it?
0:17:18 > 0:17:21But looking is only half the fun.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22Driving is even better.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25It's time to hit the track.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28MUSIC: The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Exhilarating. I'm really enjoying this. You've no idea.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Brings back memories.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42This here definitely does bring back memories, you know.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48I built this car with my friends.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54I'll be able to tell my grandchildren,
0:17:54 > 0:17:5635 years, I drove a DeLorean again.
0:18:06 > 0:18:07Wow!
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- HE LAUGHS - That was fun.
0:18:10 > 0:18:1535 years of age, this car is, and it's a treat to drive.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22Never thought I'd see the day. Never, ever, ever.
0:18:22 > 0:18:28Four colleagues together again with the iconic cars they built.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30That calls for a celebration.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32MUSIC: Come Fly With Me by Frank Sinatra
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- Well done.- Fantastic. What a way to finish a wonderful day.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38That was a great place to work, you know.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41And they were great boys to work with.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45It was all over 35 years ago, and it's come to life again today,
0:18:45 > 0:18:52and to relive it is just so satisfying, it's unreal, you know?
0:18:52 > 0:18:57- ALL: DeLorean, hand-built in Northern Ireland...- ..by us.- ..by us.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58CAMERAMAN LAUGHS
0:18:58 > 0:19:03# Let's fly away... #
0:19:10 > 0:19:11MUSIC: MMMBop by Hanson
0:19:11 > 0:19:13The Clinton message for Northern Ireland
0:19:13 > 0:19:16was peace needed to work for the sake of future generations.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I have received thousands of letters from schoolchildren
0:19:21 > 0:19:27all over your remarkable land, telling me what peace means to them.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32And each time they visited, children were given central roles to play.
0:19:35 > 0:19:3812-year-old Cathy Harte became a star during the first visit
0:19:38 > 0:19:42in 1995 after winning a letter-writing competition.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45The prize?
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Switching on the Christmas tree lights with the President
0:19:48 > 0:19:50in front of a massive crowd.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53It was something magical, you know?
0:19:53 > 0:19:56There were thousands of people, they were all standing there
0:19:56 > 0:20:00with the same hope for peace for the future.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Cathy's winning letter with her hopes for peace
0:20:03 > 0:20:06would be read to the 50,000-strong crowd.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09"..that one day Catholics and Protestants...
0:20:12 > 0:20:15"..will be able to walk hand in hand
0:20:15 > 0:20:19"and will be able to live in the same areas."
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Thank you, Cathy.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:20:24 > 0:20:26There was just an absolute uproar from the crowd
0:20:26 > 0:20:29and Hillary turned and smiled at me.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33And I remember as well sitting there thinking, "I can't believe that the
0:20:33 > 0:20:37"First Lady of the United States is reading out words that I've written."
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- Three, two, one, go! - CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Nine-year-old choir boy Timothy Murphy was
0:20:45 > 0:20:47waiting in the wings that night for his moment.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50We were ushered into a big marquee
0:20:50 > 0:20:53and we were there for quite a long time,
0:20:53 > 0:20:58fully robed, ready to go and you know, we were young so there's...
0:20:58 > 0:21:00A lot of us were getting a bit impatient as well,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02because we just really wanted to go and perform.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07# My momma told me there'd be days like this... #
0:21:07 > 0:21:11But Timothy and the other boys from St George's Choir had to wait until
0:21:11 > 0:21:14the "warm up" acts, Van Morrison and Brian Kennedy, had finished.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18We were behind the scenes and involved in it, you know.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21It was just really exciting. It felt like we were really contributing to something.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24And then their big moment arrived.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29The crowd hushed by their version of Silent Night.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34# Silent night
0:21:34 > 0:21:39# Holy night... #
0:21:39 > 0:21:42It was amazing...um... Singing and looking out
0:21:42 > 0:21:45and seeing a huge crowd ahead of you, it's like being a rock star.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51In 1998, Washington's power couple were back,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54renewing their friendship with Northern Ireland.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58And again, young people were at the centre of their plans.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02The President travelled to Armagh and it was over to 17-year-old
0:22:02 > 0:22:06Sharon Haughey, a local schoolgirl, to introduce him on stage.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11Tonight, both sides of the community have come together...
0:22:11 > 0:22:15My legs were shaking, it was just adrenaline and happiness,
0:22:15 > 0:22:19and just being filled with that much hope, that I knew this was a special
0:22:19 > 0:22:23moment and this was something good that was finally happening for us.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28..the President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:22:29 > 0:22:31That was a very special moment for me.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Thank you for the wonderful welcome.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36After, the Clintons kept in contact with the teenager
0:22:36 > 0:22:43and in 2003, Hillary invited her to be one of her interns in Washington.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46To see how she...you know...was so dedicated to her constituents
0:22:46 > 0:22:50in New York, and to see how hard working she was,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53it certainly cemented my desire and my dedication
0:22:53 > 0:22:55to entering into public life myself.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Sharon had been bitten by the political bug
0:22:59 > 0:23:03and in 2012 she was appointed Armagh City's Lord Mayor.
0:23:05 > 0:23:12Back again in 1999, Hillary came to open a cross-community play park in Belfast.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14Tomas McInerney was just five
0:23:14 > 0:23:16and his role on the day didn't go to plan.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Me and my brother were standing side by side and we had...
0:23:20 > 0:23:24We were holding letters up. We were holding the word WELCOME.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- HILLARY:- We have a shy W here!
0:23:28 > 0:23:32I was holding the W but I was holding it down to the ground.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Hillary then came over to me and said something like,
0:23:35 > 0:23:37"Oh, I think we have a shy W here."
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Who could think that that could go wrong?
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Just...such a simple job just...
0:23:42 > 0:23:44- HE LAUGHS - ..just failed.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Tomas is studying politics at Queens University
0:23:48 > 0:23:50and has political ambitions himself.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53He wishes he could remember more about the visit.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59I was just sort of blinded by everything that was going on
0:23:59 > 0:24:01and couldn't really understand.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03But today Tomas is going to put that right.
0:24:03 > 0:24:08He's travelling to meet others who met the Clintons during their historic visits.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13The meeting is taking place at Belfast City Hall.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Cathy, now a primary school teacher, is joined by Tomas.
0:24:18 > 0:24:19- Hi.- Hello.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- Hiya, nice to meet you. - And yourself. I'm Tomas.- Cathy.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Hello, how are you?
0:24:24 > 0:24:29The three met the Clintons on different occasions, and they're keen to hear the others' experience.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33I was only really five at the time, did youse have a better grasp
0:24:33 > 0:24:37on what was going on, since youse were a wee bit older?
0:24:37 > 0:24:39I probably knew the importance of it.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43If a President of the United States can feel safe in Belfast,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45- then why can't other people?- Yeah.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48They were the images that were projected round the world, and
0:24:48 > 0:24:51- I think it really gave Belfast and Northern Ireland new hope.- Yeah.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53- Hi, there!- Hello.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Former choir boy Timothy is last to arrive.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Do you remember what the atmosphere was like?
0:24:59 > 0:25:02I just remember everyone, certainly all of us,
0:25:02 > 0:25:03being really excited, you know.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07Clearly in the city and in the country it was huge news.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09I mean, it was a global event, really,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12happening in our little country at sort of fairly turbulent times
0:25:12 > 0:25:16and even as a nine-year-old, I could appreciate that.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Timothy has gone on to pursue a professional music career.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23I've been on the soundtracks for movies
0:25:23 > 0:25:26and gigged with Annie Lennox, Laura Mulvula
0:25:26 > 0:25:29at the Proms recently and just really crazy stuff.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Those are the sort of fun things, I do more sort of art.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37You started big, Tim. That was a big first appearance.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40You were destined for great things after that.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Well, you know, it was a really good experience
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- and I haven't looked back since. - HE LAUGHS
0:25:45 > 0:25:47All four have achieved so much
0:25:47 > 0:25:50in the time since their brush with the Clinton charisma.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55President Clinton gave young people a platform, told people to
0:25:55 > 0:25:58listen to the younger generation, "Listen to what they want.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02"They don't want the past that they've been given.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04"They want a new chance at a future."
0:26:04 > 0:26:08To mark today's occasion, Tim has arranged an encore
0:26:08 > 0:26:12of Silent Night by the present St George's Choir.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17# Silent night
0:26:17 > 0:26:21# Holy night
0:26:21 > 0:26:22# All... #
0:26:22 > 0:26:26Hearing that song now, times have changed obviously,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29but the meaning's still there, the meaning of hope
0:26:29 > 0:26:33and aspirations for the future and for our young generation,
0:26:33 > 0:26:34those young boys,
0:26:34 > 0:26:39that they have a peaceful Belfast and a peaceful Northern Ireland.
0:26:39 > 0:26:46# ..Sleep in heavenly peace. #
0:26:47 > 0:26:49APPLAUSE
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Before they go their separate ways, a final treat -
0:26:53 > 0:26:57highlights of their starring roles in the Presidential visits
0:26:57 > 0:27:00on the City Hall big screen.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04- Oh, there you are! You look so cute. - THEY LAUGH
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Aw, that's lovely.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14- Oh, God! See me, I get emotional! - THEY LAUGH
0:27:15 > 0:27:17I'm proud of myself, actually.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21I didn't realise it was such a big thing that I did
0:27:21 > 0:27:25and it took such courage to do it.
0:27:25 > 0:27:26And it was just...
0:27:26 > 0:27:30It's been really, truly, magical today, absolutely.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35'Welcome, the President of the United States, Bill Clinton!'
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- You had genuine excitement in your voice there.- I know, yeah.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40I got that so many times afterwards.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- People were going, "Where's the President of the United States!? - THEY LAUGH
0:27:44 > 0:27:47President Clinton coming here to Northern Ireland has inspired
0:27:47 > 0:27:53each of us to go and to do and play our part in building a better future here.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56THEY LAUGH
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Today was brilliant. It was brilliant.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02Just to hear other people's story and to know, obviously the influence
0:28:02 > 0:28:07it had, it was clear through speaking to them the influence it had on them.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11And you know, really, it's inspiring to hear where they are now.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- Great meeting youse! - Yes, and yourself...
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Reliving our moments was... It was quite fun
0:28:17 > 0:28:20and really interesting and to realise how much Bill and Hillary Clinton
0:28:20 > 0:28:24had influenced their lives was really special to find out.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27- Good luck.- Yes...and yourself.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30It's strange how your childhood memories, they fade,
0:28:30 > 0:28:32but hopefully this one won't fade so quickly.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36Yeah, I would most definitely remember this day for the rest of my life.