New Year Honours: Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan says BEM ‘a huge honour’

A 21-year-old champion gymnast from Northern Ireland has been awarded a BEM, in a key recognition of the sport.
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Rhys McClenaghan, from Newtownards, said it is a huge honour to be included in the New Year Honours List.

The young sportsman already has a host of achievements to his name, including being the Commonwealth and European pommel horse champion.

Mr McClenaghan, who has been given a BEM for services to gymnastics, has also qualified for the Olympics.

Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan who has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Gymnastics in the New Year's Honours List.Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan who has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Gymnastics in the New Year's Honours List.
Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan who has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Gymnastics in the New Year's Honours List.

“This BEM is a huge honour and it has made me very happy,” he said.

Also recognised is the principal of NI’s first integrated secondary school, Amanda McNamee, who is made an MBE.

“I was delighted, it was lovely news in what has been a challenging year in education,” she told the PA news agency.

Over 26 years she has taught in Belfast Boys’ Model, Drumragh Integrated College in Omagh, Methodist College and now Lagan College.

Amanda McNamee, principal of Lagan College who was awarded an MBE for services to education in the New Year's Honours list.Amanda McNamee, principal of Lagan College who was awarded an MBE for services to education in the New Year's Honours list.
Amanda McNamee, principal of Lagan College who was awarded an MBE for services to education in the New Year's Honours list.

“I would like to think that all the people I have worked with, from my very first school to now, have helped to shape and form the type of educator that I have become,” she said.

One of NI’s most successful entrepreneurs is also on the list, being made an OBE for services to tourism and hospitality.

Belfast hotelier Lord Diljit Singh Rana said: “I feel greatly honoured, it is totally unexpected.”

After opening a cafe in Belfast he founded Andras Hotels, which includes the Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, two Ibis hotels and Hampton by Hilton.

Belfast hotelier Lord Diljit Singh Rana, chairman of Andras House Ltd, who has been awarded an OBE for services to business and to the economy in Northern Ireland in the New Year Honours listBelfast hotelier Lord Diljit Singh Rana, chairman of Andras House Ltd, who has been awarded an OBE for services to business and to the economy in Northern Ireland in the New Year Honours list
Belfast hotelier Lord Diljit Singh Rana, chairman of Andras House Ltd, who has been awarded an OBE for services to business and to the economy in Northern Ireland in the New Year Honours list

Also recognised is Lurgan concert pianist William Barry Douglas who is receiving an OBE for services to music and community relations.

A community worker from east Belfast has also been made an MBE, in recognition of his work over the last four decades.

Michael Briggs, an executive director of the East Belfast Community Development Agency, said he has been humbled by the recognition.

The 57-year-old has been volunteering and working in East Belfast since he was aged 14.

Pianist Barry Douglas, was previously awarded an OBE and is now made a CBE . Picture By: Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker Press.Pianist Barry Douglas, was previously awarded an OBE and is now made a CBE . Picture By: Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker Press.
Pianist Barry Douglas, was previously awarded an OBE and is now made a CBE . Picture By: Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker Press.

“It is very humbling as there is a lot of people involved in community organisations,” he said.

He has worked in a voluntary and paid capacity carrying out work with the youth sector, community and cross-community sector as well as working on Belfast’s interface projects.

Joining him on the list is a a member of the NI Fire and Rescue Service, who has been made an MBE for her work in helping the LGBTQ community.

Karen McDowell, a station commander from Dromore, Co Down, transitioned gender while working in the fire service and helped promote greater acceptance of transgender people within the organisation.

Mrs McDowell, who is married with two children, said she was “shocked and very humbled” by the honour.

“I thought the email was a joke as I didn’t think you got those things through an email. I was shocked and very humbled,” she said.

Michael Briggs, executive director of the East Belfast Community Development Agency, who has been made an MBE in the New Year's Honours list.Michael Briggs, executive director of the East Belfast Community Development Agency, who has been made an MBE in the New Year's Honours list.
Michael Briggs, executive director of the East Belfast Community Development Agency, who has been made an MBE in the New Year's Honours list.

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