Panti Bliss, aka Rory O’Neill, has been nominated in three categories of the Pride of Ireland Awards 2014.

Rory O’Neill has been nominated for the Bravery Award, Special Recognition Award and Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural ceremony. The nominations were prompted by his inspiring ‘Noble Call’ speech that was made at the Abbey Theatre earlier this year, which now has over 600k views on YouTube.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror, one of the sponsors of the event, O’Neill said, “Hearing that people have nominated me, I’m astonished and delighted. But then I was astonished and delighted at the response my speech has received.

“I hope the action I took at the Abbey Theatre has gone some way to explain exactly what homophobia means in my life and in the life of many others.

“My only wish is that I’d have realised how far and wide my speech, what has been called the noble call, would have gone. I might have practised it a few more times to make sure there were no fluffs in the lines!”

The Pride of Ireland awards will take place on June 3, and will be hosted by The Saturdays’ singer, Una Foden.

Panti Bliss, aka Rory O’Neill’s speech at the Abbey Theatre.