Northern Ireland’s first female firefighter, Heather Smart from Ballyclare, has been recognised in the New Year Honours List.
She was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Ms Smart she joined what was the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade in 1991. She retired earlier this year after 27 years’ service.
Former British and Irish Lions captain Willie John McBride, also from Ballyclare, was awarded a CBE for services to rugby union.
McBride was one of six to receive a CBE. Others included Queen’s University Belfast academic Prof John Christopher McCrudden, who was recognised for his service to human rights law; and Nicholas David George Coburn, the group managing director and deputy chairman of Ulster Carpet Mills (Holdings) Limited.
Children’s writer and storyteller Liz Weir has been awarded an MBE for services to the arts and education.
Royal British Legion National Standard Bearer, Norman Espie has been awarded the BEM. A member of Cookstown RBL for almost 40 years, Norman became Northern Ireland Standard Bearer in 2007 and for the last six years has been the National Standard Bearer, carrying out duties all over the world.
Northern Ireland and Rangers defender Gareth McAuley was awarded an MBE while Crusaders FC manager Stephen Baxter received a British Empire Medal (BEM).
Queen’s Police Medals (QPM) have been awarded to three PSNI officers – Det Insp Billy Cross, Supt Brian Thomas Kee and Det Con Kimberly Hegarty.