The O'Neill Lifetime Achievement Award cocktail reception, hosted by Malachy McCourt (Translations, Mass Appeal) and scheduled to begin at 6 PM, is held one day after the 123rd anniversary of O'Neill's birth and just north of the Times Square location where he was born.

The annual award is given to an Irish-American writer or artist who has created a body of work that places him or her among the great artists and entertainers of all time. Moore also serves as the company's artistic director, and O'Reilly serves as producing director.

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn will open the proceedings with the presentation of an official proclamation in honor of the Irish Repertory, its founders, and the Eugene O'Neill Award. McCourt will host a brief program that will include a short video send-up of the Irish Rep and its founders, narrated by Fritz Weaver.

Opening its doors in 1988 with Sean O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars, The Irish Repertory Theatre has consistently pursued its mission to bring works by Irish and Irish-American masters and contemporary playwrights to American audiences, to provide a context for understanding the contemporary Irish-American experience, and to encourage the development of new works focusing on the Irish and Irish-American experience.

In addition to the Eugene O'Neill Lifetime Achievement Award, the Irish Rep has been honored with the 2007 Jujamcyn Award, a special Drama Desk Award for Excellence in Presenting Distinguished Irish Drama, and the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Body of Work. Past recipients of the O'Neill Award include actor Brian Dennehy in 2010 and novelist William Kennedy in 2009.

Founded and operated as a non-profit organization, Irish American Writers & Artists, Inc. celebrates the achievements of Irish-American writers and artists, past and present, and works to highlight, energize and encourage Irish Americans working in the arts.

The Manhattan Club is located at 800 7th Avenue. For more information and tickets, click here.