Hollywood legend Al Pacino will collect a prestigious gong at Dublin's Trinity College today.
Provost of Trinity College Dublin Dr John Hegarty with Al Pacino during his visit to the college
The eight-times Oscar nominated star has been awarded the honorary patronage of the university's Philosophical Society.
Best known for his roles in The Godfather, Scarface, Serpicoand Heat,the New Yorker finally won an Oscar for playing blind Colonel Frank Slade in Scent of A Womanin 1993.
Philosophical Society president Daire Hickey said it was an honour to host one of the greatest stars of the silver screen at the 414-year-old college. "There's a great buzz around college and we're really looking forward to the event," he said. "He is really interested in Irish
Pacino plans to film part of his documentary Salomaybein Ireland. The film is based on Pacino's quest to find out more about Wilde and his influences for writing Salomé,published in 1892.
The actor will speak to some of Trinity's scholars about Wilde's time as an undergraduate at the college.
Pacino follows in the footsteps of other recipients of the Trinity award like Archbishop Desmond Tutu and US Senator John McCain.
writer Oscar Wilde and particularly his acclaimed play
Salomé
. So to see the college that Wilde attended as an undergraduate is a big deal for him."