The latest, somewhat surprising movie personality to receive a gong from the US-Ireland Alliance will be noted non-Celt JJ Abrams. Each year, at its bulkily named “Oscar Wilde: Honouring the Irish in Film” event, the Alliance extends a hand of friendship to a noted Irishman (or, from that night on, honorary Irishman). Taking place in the penumbra of the Oscars, the ceremony has previously recognised such figures as Brendan Gleeson, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terry George and Neil Jordan.

Abrams, director of

Star Trek

, has a wife named Katie McGrath, so he is, perhaps, already Irish by marriage. The event will take place in LA on March 4th 2010, three days before the Oscars.