Stormont guard and gymnast among honours recipients

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Elizabeth Hamilton said her MBE was "unexpected" but "such an honour"

More than 50 people from Northern Ireland have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Among those honoured are the director general of the National Trust, Hilary McGrady, who becomes a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to heritage.

Elizabeth Hamilton, a security guard at Stormont Castle, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Olympic gold medal winning gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, from Newtonards, also becomes an MBE, a year after he created history by winning Ireland's first gold medal in gymnastics at the Paris Olympics.

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Olympic gold medal winning gymnast Rhys McClenaghan becomes an MBE

Ms McGrady, who is originally from Lisburn, said the work of the National Trust was "as vital as ever".

"I'm so grateful to the thousands of staff, volunteers and supporters who make the National Trust what it is," she said.

"I'm proud to be part of this organisation and this sector and I'm delighted to receive this award."

McClenaghan, who triumphed on the pommel horse in Paris, said it was "a huge honour".

"I previously received a BEM [British Empire Medal] and it was of similar significance to me as well because you're getting recognised for your achievements in sport and that's something I've worked my whole life towards, getting these achievements in gymnastics," he said.

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Hilary McGrady said she was grateful to the thousands of staff, volunteers and supporters "who make the National Trust what it is"

Janice Bunting, chief executive of Victim Support NI, has been made an MBE for services to victims and witnesses of crime.

She told BBC News NI she was "absolutely delighted, very humbled".

"This is not my award alone," she said.

"It belongs as well to my dedicated staff and volunteers who provide support to victims and witnesses to crime in Victim Support Northern Ireland."

Such an honour'

Ms Hamilton, who has been a security guard at the home of the Northern Ireland Executive for 24 years, said being made an MBE was "unexpected" but "such an honour".

"You have people who want to come in to have a look at the castle but they can't because it's out of bounds for the public, but you don't say to them to clear off, but suggest they go up to Parliament Buildings for a cup of tea or a meal," she said.

"People come from all over the world. They say, 'what beautiful surroundings', which it is."

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Ronnie Armour said he was "truly honoured and humbled"

Broadcaster Helen Mark, known for presenting the BBC's Open Country and the Ulster-Scots programme Kintra, has also been made an MBE.

She started her work with the BBC at Radio Foyle in 1987.

"I have just loved every moment of being with people who are happy to share their stories with me," she said.

"Honestly, I can't begin to tell you how much of a privilege that is. It's really, really special.

"I just love to quietly go about what I do, and that's the joy – this is like the icing on the top of my radio cake."

Two senior Stormont civil servants have been recognised in for their public service.

Colum Boyle, permanent secretary at the Department for Communities, becomes a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).

Ronnie Armour, interim permanent secretary at the Department of Education, becomes a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Both have been recognised for their public service.

Mr Armour, a former director general of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, said he was "truly honoured and humbled".

"My career in public service has always been about one simple thing: trying to make a real difference in people's lives," he said.

"My time as director general of the Northern Ireland Prison Service was a hugely significant and rewarding part of my career."

'A model for peaceful co-existence'

Senior Orange Order member Noel Liggett has been made an MBE for "demonstrated outstanding determination, tenacity, and drive in promoting good relations and community cohesion in south Belfast for 30 years as district master of the Number 10 District Lodge.

Among his accomplishments noted in the award were that "in 2018, he facilitated a cultural exchange between Ballynafeigh Orange Lodge and Bredagh GAA, believed to be the first of its kind, which was highly commended and seen as a model for peaceful co-existence in south Belfast".

"You don't really think somebody from an Orange background, specifically on orange work, would get that type of an award," he told BBC News NI.

"So it is quite an honour."

Prof Tara Moore from Ulster University said it was "lovely" to be recognised for her hard work after being made an OBE.

The professor of personalised medicine was recognised for her services to research, innovation and education.

Prof Paul Bartholomew, vice-chancellor of the university has been made a CBE for services to higher education and public service.

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Prof Tara Moore has said it is "lovely" to be recognised for her hard work

'Life-saving connections'

Yvonne Carson, from Ballymena has been recognised with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to tackling loneliness.

Her award notes she "has raised awareness, enabled collective action, influenced policy and ultimately led countless people in the community to experience life-saving connections with others".

The oldest Northern Ireland recipient is 82-year-old Florence Victoria Methven for voluntary service to the NSPCC and to the community in Newcastle, County Down.

She has also been awarded a BEM.

'A profound achievement'

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn sent his congratulations to all the recipients.

"I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to everyone in Northern Ireland who is receiving a New Year Honour.

"Being recognised in this way is a profound achievement, and is a testament to the extraordinary dedication, resilience and positive impact those individuals have had on their local communities and wider society.

They represent the very best of Northern Ireland, and are an inspiration to us all."

The honours system

Commonly-awarded ranks:

• Companion of Honour - Limited to 65 people. Recipients wear the initials CH after their name
• Knight or Dame
• CBE - Commander of the Order of the British Empire
• OBE - Officer of the Order of the British Empire
• MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire
• BEM - British Empire Medal

Read more: Your guide to the Honours

Full list of Northern Ireland recipients of New Year Honours

Companions of the Order of the Bath:

Colum Boyle, permanent secretary, Department for Communities, Northern Ireland Civil Service. For public service.

Order of the British Empire, Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

Ronald William Armour, interim permanent secretary, Department of Education, Northern Ireland Civil Service. For public service.

Prof Paul Bartholomew, vice-chancellor, Ulster University. For services to higher education and public service.

Hilary McGrady, director general, National Trust. For services to heritage.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Colette Marion Kane, director, Northern Ireland Audit Office and Local Government Auditor. For services to the Northern Ireland Audit Office.

Philip Steven McBride, lately managing director, Thales Northern Ireland. For services to the defence industry.

William Martin Wallace McDowell, chair, Odyssey Trust. For services to charity and to public services in Northern Ireland.

Prof Maria McIlgorm, chief nursing officer. For services to nursing and midwifery in Northern Ireland.

Prof Tara Moore, professor of personalised medicine, Ulster University. For services to research, innovation and education.

Pauline Mary Walmsley, chief executive, Early Years - the organisation for young children. For services to education in Northern Ireland.

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Prof Michael Peter Alcorn, professor of music and associate pro vice-chancellor for sustainability and strategic projects, Queen's University Belfast. For services to music and higher education and to the creative industries.

Annette Elizabeth Beaney. For charitable service.

Alison Broderick (Alison Gilchrist), enforcement officer, Trading Standards Service, Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland Civil Service. For public service.

Joseph James Brogan, lately head of pharmacy and medicines management, Strategic Planning and Performance Group. For services to pharmacy and to voluntary service.

Janice Ann Bunting, chief executive, Victim Support Northern Ireland. For services to victims and witnesses of crime.

Julie Erskine, chair, Business Services Organisation. For services to health and social care.

Carolyn Phyllis Forster. For services to the community in Northern Ireland.

Dr Kenneth Samuel Gibson, lately director of student and learning services, Stranmillis University College. For services to education.

Elizabeth Hamilton, security guard, Stormont Castle. For public service.

Paula Jennings. For services to adults with learning difficulties in Northern Ireland

Alistair Jinks, director business services, Northern Ireland Water. For services to the environment and to the economy.

Raymond Michael James Kendall, ward manager, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. For services to nursing and healthcare for older people.

Noel Liggett. For services to the community in south Belfast.

Helen Elise Mark, DL. For services to broadcasting.

Rhys Joshua McClenaghan, BEM. For services to gymnastics.

James Wallace McConachie, owner, Westbank Group Ltd. For services to the electrical control industry in Northern Ireland.

Dr Marilyn Avril Courtney McMullan (Marilyn Shanks). For services to education in Northern Ireland.

Elizabeth Anne Meehan, patient demographics service manager, Health and Social Care. For services to healthcare.

Christopher Murdock, chair, St John Ambulance Northern Ireland. For voluntary service to St John Ambulance.

Margaret Peacock. For services to the community in Coleraine, County Londonderry.

Elizabeth Agnes Purdy, business support officer, Education Authority Northern Ireland. For services to education and to the Girls Brigade.

William Desmond Scott, founder and chair, Scott and Ewing Ltd and Woodvale Construction Ltd. For services to Construction in Northern Ireland.

Donald James Millar Starritt, head road safety policy, Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland Civil Service. For services to road safety and to environmental protection.

Richard Elliott Wright, lately police superintendent. For services to the Welfare of police officers.

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire

Joanne Aicken. For public service.

Sally Bridge, student support administrator, Queen's University Belfast. For services to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Yvonne Carson, health and wellbeing manager, Northern Health and Social Care Trust. For services to tackling loneliness.

Veronica Dougherty, personal secretary, Northern Ireland Policing Board. For public service.

David John Dugal, photographer, The Courier. For services to the community in County Tyrone.

Vivienne Elizabeth Fullerton, registrar. For services to local government in Northern Ireland.

Carmel Pauline Garvey. For services to dance in County Tyrone.

Marjorie Ann Guiler. For services to young people and to the community in County Down.

Thomas Robert Haire. For services to local government and to the community in Belfast.

Mary Teresa Hampson, lately Probation Service officer, Probation Board for Northern Ireland. For services to community safety.

Prof Nigel David Hart. For services to primary care, medical research and training.

Alison Jayne Irwin, lately head of equality, Northern Health and Social Care Trust. For services to health and social care in Northern Ireland.

Samuel Jardine. For public service and to the community in County Armagh.

Niree Kathleen McMorris. For services to the community in Londonderry.

John McMurran, building supervisor, Donaghadee Primary School. For services to education and to the community in Donaghadee, County Down.

Jonathan McNee, senior marine officer, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland). For voluntary service to military aviation archaeology in Northern Ireland.

Florence Victoria Methven. For voluntary service to the NSPCC and to the community in Newcastle, County Down.

Mary Marian Nicholas. For services to people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland.

Eleanor Dorothy Wolfenden-Orr. For services to charitable fundraising and to the community in Northern Ireland.

Rebecca Wray. For services to volunteering in Northern Ireland.

King's Police Medal (KPM)

Supt Robert McGowan, PSNI

Ch Insp John Sayers, PSNI

Sgt Sharon Cromie, PSNI (Retd)