Liam Neeson - Liam Neeson Honoured In Hometown

The actor, who is now an American citizen, was made a freeman by Ballymena Mayor P.J. MCAvoy, who once served as Neeson's boss when he worked at the Guinness factory.

The Mayor took a line from the movie star's Star Wars films when he said, "Liam, we applaud you and wish you continued success... May the Force be with you."

Neeson, who was thrilled to see hundreds of fans waiting in the rain for his arrival at the Braid Center, said he was "privileged" to receive the honour, and hopes to use it to promote Ballymena and his native Northern Ireland as the country moves towards peace.

He told local dignitaries at a dinner in his honour, "I'm aware of the work the borough has been doing in the past few years, coming out of the darkness, as we all have... The people of Northern Ireland have voted 100 per cent for peace and it's going to happen."