CONAN O'Brien, poised to take over the prized 11:30 p.m. NBC late night chair currently occupied by Jay Leno next year, took time to get his Irish up last week courtesy of the American Ireland Fund.

O'Brien, who doesn't look Irish at all - kidding! - accepted an award from the AIF'S Young Leaders group at their annual St. Pat's shin-dig last week in New York.

O'Brien, who told the Irish Voice during an interview a few years back that he has "the map of Ireland all over my face," received the Spirit Award, "in recognition of his Irish heritage, outstanding achievements in the entertainment world, and philanthropic work with the non-profit Labels are for Jars in his native Boston," said the AIF.

Proceeds from the event will support PeacePlayers International, an organization that uses basketball as a tool to promote reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants in the North.