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Actor Liam Neeson received the Presidential Distinguished Service Award from President Michael D. Higgins at \u00c1ras an Uachtar\u00e1in on\u2008Friday morning to honor his contribution to the country and his humanitarian work.<\/p>\n
The awards were originally presented last November but Neeson was unable to attend. President Higgins said he \u201cmore than deserves a special occasion himself.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad highlight outstanding work by Irish people living overseas across a range of areas, from sport to science, charity or community support.<\/p>\n
Neeson received his award for his work helping to raise the profile Irish artists around the world, his strong personal support for a variety of initiatives to promote tourism to Ireland and his work with UNICEF.<\/p>\n
President Higgins described Neeson as \u201ca splendid Irishman abroad\u201d and a \u201cworthy recipient\u201d of the award.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Irish family isn\u2019t defined by national borders or territories,\u201d said President Higgins. \u201cIt\u2019s defined by care, compassion, a shared culture and heritage, a common sense of responsibility, a consciousness of our historical experience and also the importance of Ireland contributing dynamically to a future that would be humane and more compassionate and more just.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiam Neeson qualifies by all of those criteria.\u201d<\/p>\n