Almost 100 people from NI listed on Queen's New Year Honours List

Q Newsdesk

Almost 100 people from Northern Ireland have been listed on the Queen's New Year Honours list.

Among them is Bangor-born Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody, who is receiving an OBE for services to music and charity.

(Gary Lightbody)

Northern Ireland's singing Catholic Priests are being made MBE's, after their religious melodies became known internationally in 2008.

Father Eugene O'Hagan told Q Radio the news came as a wonderful surprise:

From the business world former Invest NI Chief Executive Alastair Hamilton is to receive a CBE for services to economic development,

(former Invest NI Chief Executive Alastair Hamilton)

In sport, paralympic champion runner Michael McKillop will receive an MBE, as will Northern Ireland international footballer Aaron Hughes.

(Aaron Hughes)

Meanwhile, former Ireland women's field hockey international goalkeeper Angela Platt will receive a BEM.

The vice chair of the Northern Ireland Sports Forum, and Chair of the Female Sports Forum, says she's is delighted that her work has been recognised. .

Former secretary-manager of Royal Portrush Wilma Erskine, who recently retired after 35 years in the role, says she's humbled to receive an OBE.

(148th Open, Royal Portrush)

It's the latest recognition for her contribution to Tourism and Golf in Northern Ireland and comes after the prestigious club hosted the Open Championship earlier this year.

Meanwhile Andrew Browne, secretary of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry, will receive an OBE for services to victims and survivors of abuse.

He told Q Radio its a bittersweet following the death of the inquiry's chairman Sir Anthony Hart earlier this year..