The Irish Arts Center hosted its annual Spirit of Ireland gala at the New York Athletic Club on October 3, and special guest Bono showed up to collect an award on behalf of the late, great Irish singer Ronnie Drew.

The former Dubliners frontman succumbed to cancer earlier this year, and a star-studded list of actors, politicians and artists turned up to pay homage to one of the finest vocalists to ever come out of Ireland.

Among those present were actors Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne, boxer John Duddy and the AIF's Loretta Brennan Glucksman. New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn was also on hand to celebrate the memory of the gravel-voiced artist.

Bono and a host of stars including Sinead O'Connor and Shane MacGowan recorded a song with Drew shortly before his death called "The Ballad Of Ronnie Drew." At the time the record was cut, Bono remarked, "Ronnie is like the King of Ireland and we are his subjects."

The legendary singer passed away on August 8 in his beloved Dublin. He was 73.

Ar dheis DZ go raibh a anam.