The US-Ireland Alliance’s celebrated the 20th annual Oscar Wilde Awards on Thursday night at the Ebell of Los Angeles theater.

The awards aim to recognize creatives of Irish descent, this year honoring Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson and director Lee Cronin, along with Irish-American actress Maura Tierney.

“You’ve all heard of the British invasion of music. Well, there is now an Irish invasion in film and television,” said Matt Walsh, the night’s emcee.

Walsh gave a shout-out to the Irish nominees at the upcoming 98^th Oscars, several who were present in the room, including “Avatar: Fire and Ash” Visual Effects artist Richie Baneham; John Kelly and Andrew Freedman, the filmmakers behind the animated short film “Retirement Plan,” which Gleeson voices; and Ken Wardrop, producer of “Sanatorium,” Ireland’s submission for international feature film.

Walsh’s mention of Jessie Buckley was met with raucous applause by the audience, as the Killarney native is poised to make history as the first Irish-born woman to win best actress on Sunday.

Jason Blum, CEO of Blumhouse Productions, introduced Cronin, his collaborator on the upcoming horror film reboot of “The Mummy.” Thanking him for “being such a bright and cheery Irishman,” Blum said, “Lee’s movies feel like these dark mirrors that he’s holding up to us so that you can laugh at the obscene ridiculousness of our world.”

Cronin reflected on the first time he attended the Oscar Wilde Awards a decade ago, saying, “It was my first ever trip to L.A., and I was super naive. I made business cards, drawing my own face on WhatsApp.” While Steven Spielberg (a long-time hero of Cronin’s) never used the business card he was handed, Cronin looks back on the night fondly.

“It was the start of a new venture I’m very proud to have. You need to be naive to continue this business and to dream about making moves, which I’m a huge believer in. So, I will continue to be naive.”

Gleeson, who currently stars in “The Paper,” was also introduced by one of his previous collaborators, “Star Wars” director J.J. Abrams. The duo met on “The Force Awakens” and Gleeson’s character was killed off in the beginning of the sequel, “The Last Jedi,” which the actor jokes was due to his inability to get a line right on his first day of filming with the director.

“He’s a brilliant filmmaker and a lovely man. I was so honored when he offered to pass the award along,” Gleeson told Variety about Abrams. Gleeson added, “So many of the people who’ve received the award over the years are so extraordinary. Catherine O’Hara was one of them; any club she’s in is one I’m very proud to be a member of.”

“Hollywood and Ireland are very different places, both often overly romanticized, but the truth is that there is something inherently romantic about both,” said Gleeson. “I would like to thank all the Americans here, including JJ and my beloved ‘The Paper’ gang, who’ve allowed me to work with them. And the filmmakers and performers from home who continue to inspire me and make me want to be a better actor.”

Abrams began his speech by poking fun at a Vogue Australia article listing the world’s “70 Most Famous Redheads,” arguing that Gleeson should be in the number two spot, trumped only by his father, Brendan Gleeson.

“I’ve been lucky in my career to work with a great number of wonderful actors, but none more brilliant, kind, dedicated, caring, funny, compassionate, famous or ginger than Mr. Domnhall Gleeson,” Abrams said.

“Everybody Loves Raymond” actress Monica Horan Rosenthal took to the stage to introduce Tierney, who currently plays Lieutenant Jessica Brady on “Law & Order.”

“It feels really, really nice to be honored tonight,” Tierney told Variety on the green carpet. “I’ve been in show business for a very long time, but no one really talks about my Irish heritage.”

In her speech, Tierney spoke about her grandmother, Nan Costello, who immigrated from Leitrim County, Ireland, to Boston in 1926.

“I’ve been fortunate to work as an actor in Ireland,” said Tierney, who starred in a Dublin production of “God of Carnage” in 2011. “Walking those streets, I felt part of a legacy both artistic and personal. I don’t think my grandmother would ever have envisioned me performing  in Ireland, eight decades after she left, and I hope to have a chance to do it again.”

“I’m really proud of Trina Vargo, who had the foresight in the late ‘90s to start this US-Ireland Alliance. It’s about bringing people together, and I think that’s the thing we’re all kind of desperate for right now – an excuse for unity, and she’s given it to us,” Abrams told Variety.

The night concluded with musical performances by Dermot Kennedy and Dave Lofts.