UCD award honorary doctorate to actor Rea

Actor Stephen Rea was today awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from University College Dublin.

The Belfast-born performer was recognised for his outstanding contributions to the performing arts.

He is most widely-known for his work on the big screen, including films 'The Crying Game' and 'Michael Collins'.

But he is also acclaimed for his on-stage performances and his key role in founding the Field Day Theatre Company with the Irish playwright Brian Friel in 1980.

The company tackled historical and political issues linked to then raging conflict and seemingly irreconcilable divisions in the North.

It is credited with becoming a seminal force in Irish theatre and having contributed considerable to Irish culture.

Rea has received Theatre World and Outer Circle Critics Awards and a nomination for a Tony Award for his Broadway performance in the Frank McGuiness play 'Someone to Watch Over Me'.

He has also enjoyed considerable success as a director.