What a touching tribute that was from Meryl Streep to the late Natasha Richardson at the AMFAR annual gala in New York last week.

Streep has been channeling her Irish roots, dating back to her great grandmother, Grace Strain from County Donegal. Recently, she said she wanted to do more research on the Irish side of her ancestry.

The night was a tribute to Natasha who, was of course, married to Irish acting giant Liam Neeson.

When it came her turn, Streep, who sang right after Lady Gaga, performed the haunting Irish ballad 'The Parting Glass' made famous by Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers.

"It really takes guts to get up and sing after Lady Gaga," Streep quipped.

She need not have worried as her performance had everyone in tears, the song ending with these words:

"But as it falls unto my lot that I should rise and you should not, I'll gently rise and I'll softly call, 'Goodnight and joy be with you all!'”

And so it was for Natasha, a beautiful Irish tribute by a great actress.