The Irish Arts Center in New York will present its Spirit of Ireland Award to Meryl Streep, the three-time Academy Award winner and 21-time nominee, on Friday, November 15.
The Irish Arts Center's 25th Annual Spirit of Ireland Gala will take place at Pier 60 in New York City as they herald the completion of its third full year of operation in its magnificent new building in Hell's Kitchen.
The gala will support its future bold contributions to the New York and American cultural landscapes and recognize Meryl Streep’s awe-inspiring cultural impact.
The organization honors Meryl Streep who, through her countless transformations, has consistently brought boundless humanity and complexity to her characters, earning her the frequent title of “best actress of her generation” - as well as record numbers of Oscar (21) and Golden Globe (33) nominations.
Streep, whose maternal great-great-grandmother, Grace Strain, left Horn Head, Co Donegal for New York in 1864, has been praised for her performance as Kate Mundy in the Co Donegal-set 1930s period drama "Dancing at Lughnasa."
The New York Times wrote of this performance, “Meryl Streep has made many a grand acting gesture in her career, but the way she simply peers out a window in 'Dancing at Lughnasa' ranks with the best.
"Everything the viewer needs to know about Kate Mundy, the woman she plays here, is written on that prim, lonely face and its flabbergasted gaze.”
Speaking about the Spirit of Ireland Gala, Streep said: “I am thrilled and delighted to join my Irish friends on the night, in support of this extraordinary center and its dedicated staff and associated writers, performers and artisans. I know the craic will be good!!”
Irish Arts Center Executive Director, Aidan Connolly, said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to present Meryl Streep with our Spirit of Ireland Award at this year’s 25th Annual Gala.
"As an organization, we strive to present transformative work that takes audiences on an emotional journey and illuminates our common humanity. Ms. Streep has done this throughout her astounding career, with uncommon grace and astounding longevity, and we cannot wait to pay tribute to her in New York on November 15th.”
The gala also includes a special guest musical performance from Irish recording artist Declan O’Rourke, whose musical “virtuosity” (Jon Pareles, New York Times) has enjoyed global acclaim, including numerous residencies and performances at Irish Arts Center, and whose studio recordings have consistently reached the top of the Irish national charts.
The new Irish Arts Center in New York.
Irish Arts Center
Irish Arts Center, founded in 1972 and based in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, is a home for artists and audiences of all backgrounds who share a passion or appreciation for the evolving arts and culture of contemporary Ireland and Irish America.
They present, develop, and celebrate work from established and emerging artists and cultural practitioners, providing audiences with emotionally and intellectually engaging experiences—fueled by collaboration, innovation, adventurousness, authenticity, and the celebration of our common humanity, in an environment of Irish hospitality.
Steeped in grassroots traditions, they also provide community education programs and access to the arts for people of all ages and ethnic, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. In a historic partnership of the people of Ireland and New York, Irish Arts Center recently opened a state-of-the-art new facility to support this mission for the 21st century.
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