BBC broadcaster Hugo Duncan, Olympic hero Hannah Scott and outgoing ambulance chief Michael Bloomfield are among the NI names on the New Year Honours List.
Mr Duncan and Ms Scott have been made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs), while Mr Bloomfield has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
There are also honours for jazz musician Linley Hamilton and Co Fermanagh victims’ advocate Eric Brown, both of whom also become MBEs, along with former NI football captain Marissa Callaghan.
Co Londonderry charity fundraiser Ivan Black, who has raised more than £700,000 for cancer groups, has also been made an MBE, as has two-time Paralympian in the sport of boccia, Claire Taggart.
Claire Taggart, who has been made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year Honours list, for services to Boccia. Pic: PA
Broadcaster Hugo Duncan (74) dedicated his honour to his late mother, who raised him as a single parent.
“She would have had a lot to go through in those days, and probably a lot of things said about her,” he said.
“But she kept me, and she reared me and I’m here today and that’s one of the reasons that I want to accept this honour – it’s me saying ‘ma, we didn’t do too bad’
“I just want to say, ‘thank you ma.”
Hugo Duncan in his home studio in Strabane. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Read more
Olympic rowing champion Hannah Scott – who was part of the Team GB women’s quadruples sculls crew that won a dramatic Olympic final in Paris during the summer – said she hoped it would inspire young girls to stick with sport.
“I’m proud, it’s a very nice surprise,” she said.
“Hopefully more young girls can realise that there’s actually some legitimacy in doing sport, especially growing up and staying within whatever they’re passionate about, whether that be volleyball, hockey, rowing or running.
“It can lead you down some really cool journeys and paths and that’s what I’ve been experiencing.”
NIAS Chief Executive Michael Bloomfield, who is set to retire in March 2025 after almost four decades working in the public sector, said receiving the award was a “great honour”.
“This is a recognition of the commitment of so many people I have worked with, in a range of roles, over many years,” he said.
NIAS Chief Executive Michael Bloomfield
“The delivery of Health and Social Care requires the contribution of a wide range of teams and collaboration with partner organisations, and I am fortunate to have worked with many dedicated individuals and teams over the years.
“I would pay particular tribute to my team in the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, who provide amazing care in the most challenging circumstances, and who it has been my privilege to lead over the past seven years.”
Former NI football captain Marissa Callaghan receives her award at the end of a year in which she stepped down from the role. She said she took pride in the surge in the popularity of the women’s game in NI.
“I work for the Irish FA, and I’ve seen it on the ground that whenever Northern Ireland qualified for the Euros, so many young girls wanted to start playing the game,” she said.
“And there’s been a huge increase – we’re talking probably 600% increase – in girls playing football and a massive part of that was us being so successful.”
Marissa Callaghan, of Cliftonville Ladies and the NI national team, at Solitude in Belfast. Marissa has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours list for services to Association Football and to the community in Northern Ireland. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire