PATRICK Kielty paid warm tribute to a Belfast-born engineer who changed the face of California as he was honoured in his native city.
A message from the comedian, in which he described William Mulholland as a "genius", was read aloud as an Ulster History Circle blue plaque was unveiled yesterday.
The achievements of the self-educated civil engineer were celebrated at his former parish church on Donegall Street, where he was baptised in 1855.
Mr Mulholland was responsible for building the record-breaking Los Angeles Aquaduct that provided a water supply that allowed it to grow into the largest city in California.
His pioneering engineering methods became widely adopted and he is still remembered in LA through the names Mulholland Drive, Mulholland Dam in the Hollywood Hills, Mulholland Highway and Mulholland Middle School.
Born in the St Patrick's parish, he was remembered at the church yesterday as the blue plaque was unveiled by Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Emmet McDonough-Brown.
He said it was an "honour to celebrate one of Belfast's most famous sons" whose "contribution will last into the ages".
US Consul General Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau was among those who attended the event, as well as clergy from the Down and Connor diocese including Bishop Noel Treanor and Fr Eugene O'Neill from St Patrick's Church, who said the fact that Mr Mulholland "lived and was baptised here is a great source of pride for us all".
Tom LaBonge, retired communications director of Los Angeles Water and Power, travelled more than 5,000 miles to attend the unveiling and said it was "so important" to honour Mr Mulholland.
He presented 'monastery' bread to Bishop Treanor and also brought a book written and signed by Mr Mulholland's daughter Catherine about her father, which is being donated to Belfast Central Library.
"Thank you for sending him our way," said Mr LaBonge.
There was much laughter among the crowd when a statement was read from Mr Kielty, who was involved in a documentary telling Mr Mulholland's remarkable life story.
The Co Down-born comic and TV presenter, who made his home in Los Angeles, said it was a "really proud day for Belfast".
"I'm delighted we are celebrating a man - made in Belfast - who got to America, then helped build it," he said.
"When William Mulholland rode into LA with his brother in 1877, the population was 9,000. That's less than Holywood, Co Down today. When he died in 1935, the population was over one million. And that was because of his genius.
"It sounds overstated but it's actually not - without William Mulholland there simply wouldn't be Los Angeles as we know it today.
"None of it would have existed. No Hollywood. No Venice Beach. No Disneyland. No Kardashians (which also means he's a lot to answer for).
"They say it's hard to make it in LA.
"But it's nothing compared to actually making LA. And it's amazing to think that the man who did was born right here.
"When we first had the idea to make a film about William Hulholland, we had only one dream - that Belfast would one day remember him.
"Today you've made that dream come true. And I can't thank you enough."
