SNL alum, actress, and best-selling author, is the latest honoree announced to be celebrated at the 18th annual Oscar Wilde Awards in March, held by the US-Ireland Alliance. Irish-American Shannon joins native Irishmen actor and philanthropist Pierce Brosnan along with Avatar: The Way of Water Irish VFX Supervisor Richie Baneham as honorees for event, which is set to take place at Bad Robot in Santa Monica, CA on March 7.

The accolade is fitting for Shannon, seeing as one of her most famous and beloved “Saturday Night Live” characters was Mary Katherine Gallagher an overzealous Irish Catholic school girl. The character received her  own movie Superstar! in 1999. Since then, Shannon has starred in acclaimed TV shows “I Love That For You” and “The Other Two” as well as penned a New York Times best-selling memoir Hello Molly!

Trina Vargo, founder of the US-Ireland Alliance, said “Molly’s Irish American characters on “Saturday Night Live” — like Mary Katherine Gallagher and Sally O’Malley — are iconic. The impact of her Irish ancestry on her life and career comes across in her 2022 New York Times bestselling memoir Hello, Molly!, as well as in the episode of “Who Do You Think You Are?” which took Molly back to her ancestral home of Achill, in County Mayo.  We look forward to honoring this ‘superstar’.”

Previously Announced Honorees

Best known for carrying the mantel of James Bond in nineties and early aughts, Pierce Brosnan will also be celebrated at the event for his contribution to film, television and music. Most recently, Brosnan appeared in the Netflix action comedy The Out-Laws and the hitman thriller Fast Charlie. Along with wife Keely Shaye, the couple passionately advocates for several environmental causes, including producing the documentary Poisoning Paradise.

Vargo said the following regarding Brosnan, “The success of Irish actors in the film industry in recent years has highlighted the remarkable talent in Ireland. “We’re thrilled to be honoring one of the most talented Irish legends, who paved the way.”

The third artist slated to be honored at the event is VFX Supervisor Richie Baneham, who won an Oscar last year for his work on James Cameron’s mega-blockbuster Avatar: The Way of Water. Baneham also won an Academy Award  in 2010 for his work on the first Avatar movie. In addition to his work with Cameron, other credits in the visual effects space include Alita: Battle Angel and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe. Vargo highlighted Baneham’s connection to the Irish film scene, remarking “we’re delighted to honor Richie – not only is he creatively exceptional but he is also beloved in the industry as someone who has always remained connected to his colleagues and friends in the film and animation industries in Ireland. ”

Shannon, Brosnan, and Baneham will be honored at the Oscar Wilde Awards, known as a casual, popular event amidst the award season madness. The ceremony will take place on March 7th, (the Thursday before the Oscars) at production company Bad Robot’s HQ in Santa Monica, and is supported by Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen. Following the announcement of the award, Shannon took to her Instagram to share the news and gush “I’m so honored!!”

More about The Oscar Wilde Awards and The US-Ireland Alliance

The US-Ireland Alliance is a proactive, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to consolidating existing relations between the United States and the island of Ireland and building that relationship for the future. The organization connects current and emerging Irish and American leaders in various spheres – including education, politics, business and the arts – for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Founded by Trina Vargo in 1998 and based in Washington, D.C., as well as Dublin, Ireland, the US-Ireland Alliance includes members from both the United States, Ireland, the UK and beyond. It educates the American public about contemporary Ireland and is building on the historic ties to assure a strong and vibrant relationship into the future.

The US-Ireland Alliance ensures that its membership, the public, artists, officials, educators and the business community on both sides of the Atlantic are kept fully informed and educated on issues of mutual interest. Through a series of projects including media, education, cultural and business opportunities, it is engaged in actively developing the potential that already exists. Learn more about the US-Ireland Alliance on their WEBSITE.