Liam Neeson has been awarded honorary membership of Rotary Ireland at a ceremony in his home town of Ballymena.
Lynda Bell from Ballymena Rotary Club said the special award was offered in recognition of Neeson’s outstanding achievements over a long and distinguished career as well as his commitment to charitable causes, particularly UNICEF.
"Our club is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year and we feel privileged that Liam has accepted our invitation to become an Honorary Member of it, Rotary Ireland, and of course the wider Rotary International family," said Bell.
Rotary Ireland is a community driven, humanitarian service and membership organisation with clubs in every county in Ireland.
It currently has 70 clubs on the island with some 1,500 members and is an active member of Rotary International.
Neeson was unable to attend the event but sent a video message from his New York home. You can view the video here or below.
He said: "I want to pass on my heartiest congratulations to the Rotary Club of Ballymena on this, your 80th Anniversary; 80 years of service to the community is a magnificent achievement.
"I pay tribute to those founding members who had the courage and vision to establish the Club in 1943, right in the middle of the Second World War.
"I commend your members today who share that same commitment to improve the lives and conditions of people in my great hometown of Ballymena and across the world. I am deeply honoured to accept your invitation to become an honorary member and wish you continued success in the years ahead."
The President of the Rotary Club of Ballymena Raymond Ruck said: "I am delighted on behalf of our club members and fellow Rotarians to welcome Liam Neeson OBE into the Rotary Club of Ballymena.
"We were also delighted to be joined on the night by Liam’s sisters Elizabeth and Bernadette who accepted the honorary certificate on his behalf."
Rotary Ireland is hosting its annual conference in Enniskillen this weekend with over 200 delegates from all over the island expected to attend.
The event will feature a range of speakers involved in supporting communities in need, caring for the environment, promoting awareness of the importance of mental health and safeguarding our heritage and culture.
