Television star Gloria Hunniford and rugby hero Rory Best are among more than 100 people from Northern Ireland to be recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Ms Hunniford has been awarded an OBE for her services to cancer charities through breast screening services and cancer support.
The 77-year-old presenter lost her daughter Caron, who was also a TV presenter, to breast cancer in 2004.
After Caron’s death Ms Hunniford and her sons Paul and Michael set up the Caron Keating Foundation, which gives grants to all types of cancer charities in the UK.
Ireland rugby captain Rory Best has also been awarded an OBE for his services to the sport, having racked up 104 caps for his country and playing 13 years with Ulster.
The 34-year-old, who is currently touring New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions, dedicated his honour to the hundreds of people he believes have helped him carve out a distinguished international rugby career.
“I’m just so surprised and humbled; it’s such a massive honour,” he told Press Association Sport. “To be recognised for contributing to a sport, for someone to feel I’m worthy of being nominated, and then to be deemed worthy, it’s quite incredible,” he added.
Community safety
A member of the Prison Service was also recognised in the birthday honours. Prison governor Austin Treacy received an OBE for services to reducing re-offending and community safety.
Last year Mr Treacy, who has worked for the Northern Ireland Prison Service for more than 30 years, received the Inspirational Leadership Award at the UK Civil Service Awards held in London.
Among those awarded an MBE are Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis for services to football and motorcycle champion Jonathan Rea for services to the sport.
The principal of Belmont Nursery School in Londonderry, Jennifer Marshall, was also awarded an MBE for services to education.
Police Sergeant Gwyneth Buchanan, who was one of the first officers to specialise in supporting victims of domestic abuse, received an MBE for services to policing and the community.
Ms Buchanan has been a serving officer for 28 years, working closely with the community and voluntary organisations in the Armagh area.
World of entertainment
Comedian Billy Connolly was given a knighthood and actress Julie Walters was made a dame in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Oscar-winner Olivia de Havilland, who turns 101 next month, is the oldest woman to become a dame in this centenary year of the modern-day honours system.
Those honoured from the world of entertainment include chart-topper Ed Sheeran and comedian David Walliams.
Sheeran, 26, receives an MBE for services to music and charity, as does singer Emeli Sande, for services to music. Judy Murray, mother of tennis champion Andy, is given an OBE for services to tennis, women in sport and charity, alongside Walliams, who is recognised for services to charity and the arts.
Former SAS soldier and best-selling author Andy McNab receives a CBE for services to literacy and charity, while broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky is given an OBE for services to Holocaust commemoration.
PA