An Englishwoman living in Northern Ireland, Nuala O'Loan, and a successful Irish-born broadcaster living in England, Des Lynam, received awards in today's British honours list.
Mrs O'Loan, a native of Hertfordshire, and now resident in Ballymena, Co Antrim, was appointed a dame in the honours list and henceforth will be known as Dame Nuala O'Loan.
She received her award for her challenging, often controversial, work as the North's first police ombudsman. Speaking from an engagement in Navan, Co Meath, yesterday the recently-retired ombudsman said she was "very pleased" to be made a dame by Queen Elizabeth II.
She knew of the award for several weeks but was committed to a vow of secrecy under British honours protocol. "I think they would cut off my head if I said anything in advance. I think this is a recognition of all the work we did in setting up the office of Police Ombudsman and the way in which we provided an impartial service," she said.
First Minister, Dr Ian Paisley, also with strong Ballymena connections, has crossed swords with Dame Nuala in the past, but yesterday he congratulated all the recipients of the various honours ranging from knighthoods and damehoods to MBEs.
Co Clare-born veteran broadcaster Des Lynam said he was thrilled to receive an OBE. Mr Lynam, whose family emigrated to England from Ennis when he was six, has forged a successful broadcasting career in England on programmes such as Grandstandand Match of the Day. He is known for a series of often unscripted one-liners, such as "Going down to the pub is not yet an Olympic sport but beach volleyball is".
Tom Kelly, from Coleraine, Co Derry, who succeeded Alistair Campbell as former British prime minister Tony Blair's chief "spin doctor", was appointed a CB. He is mentioned in the Northern Ireland element of the list, in which 66 others receive awards.
Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue was awarded an OBE. Ms Minogue, who is recovering from breast cancer, said she was "deeply touched" by the honour.
Michael Parkinson, who bowed out as Britain's best-known television chat show host this Christmas, was knighted.
