Fifty-five people from Northern Ireland have been recognised in His Majesty The King’s New Year Honours List 2026 for their contributions to community life and
public service.
The honours, published on 30 December, celebrate individuals from across the region whose work spans sport, volunteering, health, the arts and community development.
Among those recognised is Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan, who receives an MBE for services to gymnastics. The 26-year-old from County Down made history by winning gold on the pommel horse at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, adding to his status as Ireland’s first-ever gymnastics world champion following victories at the World Championships in Liverpool in 2022 and Antwerp in 2023.
The oldest recipient in Northern Ireland this year is 82-year-old Florence Victoria Methven, who is awarded a BEM for voluntary service to the NSPCC and to the community in Newcastle, County Down. Her long-standing commitment to supporting children and families has been widely praised.
Other honourees include Paula Jennings, who receives an MBE for services to adults with learning difficulties, and retired photographer David John Dugal, who is awarded a BEM for services to the community in County Tyrone. Through his photography, Mr Dugal has documented decades of Northern Ireland’s history, from the years of conflict and the peace process to royal visits and everyday life.
In total, 1,157 people across the UK have been recognised in this year’s Honours List, with a strong emphasis on those who have made a difference at grassroots level. Recipients include foster carers, health workers, advocates for women’s sport, artists and champions of young people. Every part of the UK is represented, from the Western Isles to Liskeard in Cornwall.
Northern Ireland recipients account for 4.8 per cent of all honours awarded this year.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This year’s Honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.
“Their quiet dedication speaks to the decent, compassionate country we are proud to be. On behalf of the whole nation, thank you – and congratulations to everyone recognised today.”
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, said: “I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to everyone in Northern Ireland who is receiving a New Year Honour.
“Being recognised in this way is a profound achievement, and is a testament to the extraordinary dedication, resilience and positive impact those individuals have had on their local communities and wider society.
They represent the very best of Northern Ireland, and are an inspiration to us all.”
Other notable recipients include Janice Bunting from County Armagh, who receives an MBE for services to victims and witnesses of crime following more than 30 years’ work across the private, public and voluntary sectors, and Yvonne Carson from Ballymena, who is awarded a BEM for services to tackling loneliness through initiatives such as community connection schemes and support for care home residents.
Members of the public can nominate someone for an honour by visiting the government’s honours website.