On March 10, Irish actor Colm Meaney ("Miles O'Brien") was in San Jose, California, to help celebrate the "Sister City" relationship between that Silicon Valley city and his hometown of Dublin. He was the recipient of the 21st annual "Spirit of Ireland" award at a special dinner capping San Jose's "Irish Week" prior to St. Patrick's Day.

"If through my work I've contributed in some small way to this special association, then I'm happy to be a part of that," Meaney said of the San Jose-Dublin Sister City Program, upon accepting the award.

"I've been very fortunate in my career playing spacemen, judges, priests, lawyers ... spacemen ... cops, crooks ... spacemen..." he remarked further.

Meaney was presented the award by San Jose mayor Chuck Reed and councilman Sam Liccardo. Dublin was represented by a delegation of city officials led by Lord Mayor Vincent Jackson. Also in attendance were representatives of Ireland's Team Munster, the reigning Heineken Cup rugby champions, who further honored Meaney with a team jersey.

Dinner entertainment was provided by the Far East Dragon Lion Dancers, the Aztec Academy Ensemble and the Greene Academy of Irish Dancers.

"Colm Meaney exemplifies the bold character we celebrate each year with the Spirit of Ireland Award," said event spokesman James Marlowe. The award is granted to individuals who have made noteworthy contributions toward promoting a strong and positive relationship between Ireland and the United States, or between San Jose and Dublin, through their work in the arts, business, or other civic and cultural endeavors. Past recipients include former U.S. president Bill Clinton, Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume, and the founder and former chairman of Intel Corporation, Dr. Gordon Moore.

See photo gallery at left.