Liam Neeson was presented with the Presidential Distinguished Service Award by President Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain.
The award, which he received for his contribution to Ireland and humanity, highlights the outstanding work by Irish people living overseas across a range of areas.
According to the Press Association, Liam appeared emotional as he accepted the award, and admitted that he has a “genuine fear” of public speaking.
“My fear, and it’s a genuine fear, is public speaking. Everyone says ‘oh, you’re an actor, you should be good at that.’ It’s just not true,” he said.
Listen:
President Higgins today presented actor Liam Neeson with the Distinguished Service Award: https://t.co/1S4lh68btZ pic.twitter.com/pOuYKXkWv0
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) January 12, 2018
The Taken star added that he was “honoured” and “very humbled” to accept the award, and promised to continue to “fly the flag for Irish arts” and the charity Unicef, who he is an ambassador for.
Meanwhile, President Higgins described Liam as a “splendid Irish man abroad”.
“We started the awards in 2012 to give recognition to the contribution of Irish people living abroad who have made a distinguished contribution, not just to Ireland, but to humanity in general. And indeed, that is the case in the case of Liam Neeson”, he said.
“I think our reason for having the award is to be able to say the Irish family isn’t defined by national borders or territories.”
Bhronn an tUachtarán Ó hUigÃnn Gradam SeirbhÃse Dearcsna an Uachtaráin ar an aisteoir Liam Neeson:https://t.co/1S4lh68btZ pic.twitter.com/BE9OrB5OZP
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) January 12, 2018
“It is defined by care, compassion, a shared culture and heritage, a common sense of responsibility, a consciousness of our historic experience and also the importance of Ireland contributing dynamically to a future that would be humane and more compassionate and just. Liam Neeson qualifies by all of this criteria”.
The citation for Liam’s award reads, “As an extremely gifted and internationally renowned film actor, Liam Neeson has helped to raise Ireland’s profile and awareness of Ireland and Irish artists around the world, especially in the United States where he is based.”
The Ballymena native is also set to appear on The Late Late Show tonight, after he attended the gala screening of his new movie The Commuter in Dublin.
