Liam Neeson speaks in public for first time since Natasha's tragic death

Receiving honorary degree, Irish actor talks about life's lessons and 'graduation' after 38 years

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(article and audio copyright 2009 IrishCentral LLC)

In his first public speaking appearance since losing his wife Natasha Richardson in a tragic skiing accident, Irish actor Liam Neeson last night quoted poet Paul Muldoon on how art helps the heart heal.

Art “builds from pain, from misery, from a deep-seated hurt, a monument to the human heart that shines like a golden dome among roofs rain-glazed and leaden.”

Neeson was being awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Queens University Belfast, at a ceremony in New York at the British Consulate. Ironically, the event came almost exactly a year after he and Natasha were honored by the American Ireland Fund at their annual dinner in May.

Expressing his deep gratitude for all the school had give him, Neeson said he learned one great lesson while there: "I think it is a message that a university always gives its students in the end: It’s time to move on, get on with your life. I got on with mine, and I’m still getting on."

Then, to a good bit of laughter from the star-struck crowd, Neeson thanked the university for finally giving him a degree.

“I started my course of studies at Queens 38 years ago.  It’s been a long haul and a rather crooked path. It feels good to have a degree in my hand,” said Neeson, who left the college before graduating.

The actor's two sons, Michael and Daniel, sat with family friends closest to the podium, and chuckled when they saw their royally-robed father make his entrance. Neeson gave them a playful wink.

“You could hear a pin drop” said a person who was at the event. "The love in the room for Liam was very evident.”

Neeson appeared nervous at first, and apologized for reading his speech from notes. “Everybody assumes that actors are great public speakers. It’s terrifying. Forgive me for reading it,” he said.

He recounted his years in Queens and his lack of involvement with all that was happening in Northern Ireland during The Troubles.

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Nster.com