Broadcaster Terry Wogan has been awarded an honorary knighthood in the British queen's birthday honours list announced today.
Businessman Michael Smurfit, chairman of the Jefferson Smurfit Group, received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to British business and charitable interests. "I am proud to be Irish," he said. "It is, however, a wonderful privilege to be honoured by my country of birth."
Dr Smurfit, who was born in Lancashire in 1936, holds dual Irish and British citizenship and has been a strong contributor to a variety of charities including the Royal Life Saving Society.
PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde was knighted in the honours list. In future Mr Orde will be known as Sir Hugh Orde. However, Wogan, who is Britain's most popular radio show presenter, will not be entitled officially to describe himself as "Sir" because of his Irish citizenship.
Such is his popularity in Britain, however, that informally the title might stick, just as another honorary Irish knight, Bob Geldof, is often termed Sir Bob.
The 66-year-old Limerick man received the award for his contribution to British life.
Actor David Jason, who played the dodgy dealer Derek Trotter (Del Boy) in the TV series Only Fools and Horses and Det Insp Jack Frost in the series A Touch of Frost also received a knighthood.
Wogan, a broadcaster for more than 40 years, first on Radio Éireann then on the BBC, said of his award: "I am surprised and delighted that her majesty has given me this honour. I hope I can prove worthy of it."
Sir Hugh, who was appointed PSNI chief constable in September 2002, described the knighthood as an honour for himself, his family and his force.
"I believe it is a recognition of the changes which have taken place in policing in Northern Ireland, building on the foundations of the past but also looking with enthusiasm and optimism to the future," he said.
The head of MI5, Elizabeth Manningham-Buller, with whom Sir Hugh has a close working relationship, becomes a Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath.
There is an OBE for Frank Gardner, the BBC's security correspondent, who was shot and seriously wounded in a gun attack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last summer, in an incident in which Irish cameraman Simon Cumbers was killed.
Gus O'Donnell, former press secretary to John Major when he was prime minister, becomes a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.
There were also knighthoods for Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain. Opera singer John Tomlinson was also knighted.
Broadcaster Jonathan Ross and Midge Ure, who is currently organising Live 8 with Bob Geldof, received OBEs.
Oscar-winner Dame Judi Dench becomes a Companion of Honour, former England soccer striker Les Ferdinand received an MBE while a CBE went to South African-born cricketer Basil D'Oliveira.
