Ireland Honors Friel

DUBLIN (NY Times) – In ceremonies yesterday in Dublin, Brian Friel, the author of plays including "Philadelphia, Here I Come!" and "Dancing at Lughnasa," was awarded the Irish government's highest honor in the arts, becoming one of the five elder statesman of Aosdana, the state-financed artists' academy, when President Mary McAleese placed a ceremonial gold Celtic band around his neck. Mr. Friel, whose "Faith Healer" begins previews in April on Broadway, was first elected to Aosdana, the affiliation of creative artists, in 1982. This year, the organization elected 12 new members, bringing its number to 220 and including its first architect, Shelley McNamara, and first musician, Donal Lunny.