AN ARTIST has made Irish eyes smile once again. County Durham glass artist Maralyn O'Keefe's sculpture depicting Northern Irish beauty spot, The Giant's Causeway, is to be awarded as a prize in a national music and drama celebration.

Mrs O'Keefe, from Consett, became well known in Northern Ireland after one of her sculptures was presented to the people of Omagh by Mo Mowlam, Redcar MP and former Northern Ireland Secretary.

This time she was commissioned by the Association of Irish Music Societies to sculpt an award to be presented to the best comedienne at the association's drama and music ceremony in March.

"I was really pleased to be asked to do this," said Mrs O'Keefe, who runs an art shop on Medomsley Road