Actress Maureen O’Hara , 90, was formally inducted into the Irish America Hall of Fame in Wexford on Friday.
Former President Bill Clinton and Irish President Mary McAleese sent messages of congratulations to O’Hara on the occasion.
Former US President Bill Clinton stated, "After a career as Hollywood's 'unofficial ambassador' from the Emerald Isle, you've earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and fans alike."
He continued, "As a longtime admirer of your work and a fellow Irish-American, I thank you for all that you've done to nurture our world's appreciation for the Irish culture."
President Mary McAleese stated: “During her long and distinguished acting career, Maureen's great talent has brought joy and great pleasure to many thousands of people all over the world. However, despite her worldwide success and popularity, Maureen has never lost her strong connection with Ireland and has always made us very proud to claim her as 'one of our own'."
The President went on to say: "I would like to thank Maureen for all she has contributed to this country's reputation abroad. I would like to congratulate her on all she has achieved and wish her continued success and happiness."
The Irish America Hall of Fame is the centerpiece of a new visitor center, which has been developed in collaboration with publishers Niall O’Dowd and Patricia Harty of Irish America Magazine.
Speaking at Friday's ceremony, Editor Patricia Harty of Irish America Magazine said, “We in Irish America are delighted to have a permanent home for our Hall of Fame in Dunbrody’s magnificent new Irish Emigration History Centre in New Ross, Co. Wexford.
"And we are particularly pleased to be welcoming Maureen O’Hara as our latest inductee into our Hall of Fame. As a star of 60 films, O’Hara lit up the silver screen and engaged the hearts of viewers the world over, but she never forgot her roots, and always proudly declared, ‘Yes, I am most definitely an Irishwoman.’"
The Hall of Fame celebrates and honours the lives, works and achievements of noted Irish individuals and focuses on the stories of famous descendants, such as President John F Kennedy, literary genius Eugene O'Neill, business giant Donald Keough of Coca-Cola, whose family were from New Ross, and Buffalo Bill, whose family can be traced back to Wexford.
Other honorees include former US President Bill Clinton, Ambassador Jean Kennedy-Smith, force for progress in the peace process Bill Flynn, DNA inventor Dr James Watson, philanthropist Chuck Feeney, medical doctor and humanitarian Dr Kevin Cahill, Wall Street titan Denis Kelleher and bestselling author Mary Higgins-Clark.
The Dunbrody visitor center is a brand new €2.6 million building, €1.88m of which was provided under the National Development Plan, administered by Failte Ireland on behalf of the Department of Tourism.
During the ceremony, music was provided by performers David Creevey, Sharon Stone and Garard Farrelly; son of the late Dick Farrelly who composed The Isle of Innisfree, which became the theme of the film, The Quiet Man.
Maurren O’Hara will be forever remembered for such classic movies as How Green Was My Valley (1939), The Black Swan (1942), Rio Grande (1950) and the most famous of all, The Quiet Man (1952).
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.jaylynhayknee | Aug 06, 2011, 05:35 PM EDT
I am very happy that Maureen O'Hara received this honor. She certainly deserves it, because she has both been a great motion picture actor and one who has provided entertainment to so many of us for such a long time.
Collette2 | Aug 01, 2011, 03:35 PM EDT
Who could ever forget her role with John Wayne in the Quiet Man, still a favourite after all these years.
peterson | Jul 31, 2011, 03:16 PM EDT
Slainte !!!
Niall O'Dowd | Jul 31, 2011, 06:41 AM EDT
Alas, there was no Hall of Fame until last year
Laura Wilson | Jul 30, 2011, 09:00 PM EDT
Well its about time Mrs O'Hara you are the best
junglejim26 | Jul 30, 2011, 05:36 PM EDT
THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE THIRTY (30) YEARS AGO. I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE, IN LOVE WITH THIS IRISH LAS. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE WORLD. CONGRATS TO HER, SHE SHOULD BE THE TAOISEACH OF IRELAND... I DRINK A PINT TO THAT...
luckysusan | Jul 30, 2011, 03:23 PM EDT
She's forever lovely.
walter3ca | Jul 30, 2011, 01:27 PM EDT
About time.
themurphia | Jul 30, 2011, 01:24 PM EDT
forflann:I don't think anyone else could play that role...she was just so right for it and so beautiful...An cailin das...as my fa used to say...I know it's quite dated but the acting is superb...I read that the cottage in Cong was damaged if not destroyed in an arson attack...so much for the indigenous Irish love of their culture...Maybe someone knows if it was restored..?
Springfield9 | Jul 30, 2011, 01:17 PM EDT
If my father was still with us he's fly over for this ...... he fell madly in love with her while fighting in the Pacific and never got over it ...... Bless her immense heart.
forflann | Jul 30, 2011, 12:22 PM EDT
I know the history of Shamrock Rover, but did not make the connection with Maureen O'hara's family until this article. So Colin Farrell's father[Eamon] and uncle Tommy played for her family. How grand! Colin Farrell's production company irishtown Productions should do and updated [hate the term re-make] version of The Quiet man while the dear lady is with us still, to play the role of the widow who owned white cottage.
kathleentracy | Jul 30, 2011, 12:21 PM EDT
Maureen O'Hara's induction should have been done A LONG time ago. Ms. O'Hara is such a gracious lady, but through her smile in the photo, there's a good possibility that she is thinking the same thing that I am... "What took you so long???"
cillowen | Jul 30, 2011, 11:57 AM EDT
so worthy, so everything, true patriot
clevelander | Jul 30, 2011, 11:47 AM EDT
What a Great Women and Actor. Also a Staunch Irish Republican. God love Her.
simplesandy | Jul 30, 2011, 10:40 AM EDT
there are 3 people I would love to meet before I die 1. Maureen O'Hara, 2. Loretta Lynn, and 3. Susan Boyle. Maureen looks just like my mom when she was in her younger years and she has not changed much by the looks of her pic here. I must meet Maureen while I am here in Ireland.
mcdolan | Jul 30, 2011, 10:38 AM EDT
About time this wonderful woman was officially recognised! May she live another 90 years!
Liamkeyes | Jul 30, 2011, 10:28 AM EDT
Maureen's real name was Fitzsimons, she was born and reared in the Dublin suburb of Ranelagh(Dublin6). Her family owned the Soccer Team Shamrock Rovers who [played in the next suburb of Milltown. The Team, has since moved up tp Tallaght (Dublin24) at the foot of the Dublin Mountains.
katieusau2fan | Jul 30, 2011, 10:25 AM EDT
I love all the movies she has been in! I am happy for her. Yes, the Quiet Man was very good, but McClintock was my favorite. :)
hooligan6a | Jul 30, 2011, 10:21 AM EDT
Why not? She is probably a Republican. They only honor libs.
donal1951 | Jul 30, 2011, 10:18 AM EDT
This is grand. She played well against John Wayne. Everyone mentions The Quiet Man, a grand movie, but my favorite was McClintock.
ciarrai | Jul 30, 2011, 09:56 AM EDT
What does Maureen O'Hara eat and how much exercise does she get? She looks very good for a person of 90 years, no? All I know about her is "The Quiet Man" and that movie holds a special place in my Irish American heart.
themurphia | Jul 30, 2011, 09:28 AM EDT
Her performance in The Quiet Man was a tour de force...it still makes me smile..in fact the more I see that film the more I like it..Barry Fitzgerald as the jarvey is fantastic...MO'H character reminds me of my grandmother a a 'force majeure'...apologies for le francais sometimes it's necessaire...!
Rebelforce | Jul 30, 2011, 09:17 AM EDT
Has Maureen O'Hara ever been honored by the Kennedy Center? If not, why not?