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Friday, 8 May 2009

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Liam Neeson speaks for first time since Natasha Richardson's death

Actor quotes poignant poem during university speech

Liam Neeson and his wife Natasha Richardson were married for 14 years

Liam Neeson has spoken in public for the first time since the death of his wife Natasha Richardson.

The actor was at the British Consulate in New York on Wednesday to receive an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University, Belfast, for his Outstanding Contribution and Service to the Arts.

‘Everybody assumes that actors are great public speakers,' he said during his acceptance speech. 'It’s terrifying. Forgive me for reading it.'

He then quoted poet Paul Muldoon to describe how art helps heal the heart.

‘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.’

Natasha, 45, died after a skiing accident in Canada in March.

SEE PHOTO GALLERY: Natasha Richardson - a tribute in pictures>>

Alison Adey