The Olympic hero’s talents have been celebrated (Image: Getty)
Double World Champion and Olympic gold medalist Rhys McClenaghan has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s New Year Honours.
The 26-year-old gymnast, widely regarded as one of the premier pommel horse specialists of his generation, was recognised for his significant services to gymnastics. The honour follows a landmark career in which McClenaghan has represented both Northern Ireland and Ireland on the global stage, including his historic victory at the Paris 2024 Games.
Beyond his sporting achievements, McClenaghan furthered his public profile in early 2025 by winning the eighth series of Dancing with the Stars Ireland. His inclusion in the Honours list marks a significant year for the athlete, who has consistently been a trailblazer for gymnastics in the region.
Northern Ireland is strongly represented in this year’s list, with dozens of individuals honoured for their contributions to public life, culture, health, and community service. Among those recognised alongside McClenaghan are Department for Communities Secretary Colum Boyle, Odyssey Trust Chair William Martin Wallace McDowell, and BBC broadcaster Helen Mark.
The honours reflect the diverse achievements of individuals across the region who have made significant impacts in their respective fields. A full list of Northern Ireland’s New Year Honours recipients has been published following the official announcement from the Cabinet Office.
Companions of the Order of the Bath (CB)Colum Boyle. Permanent Secretary, Department for Communities, Northern Ireland Civil Service. For Public Service. (Belfast)Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)Ronald William Armour. Interim Permanent Secretary, Department of Education, Northern Ireland Civil Service. For Public Service. (Belfast)Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)Colette Marion Kane. Director, Northern Ireland Audit Office and Local Government Auditor. For services to the Northern Ireland Audit Office. (Belfast)William Martin Wallace McDowell. Chair, Odyssey Trust. For services to Charity and to Public Services in Northern Ireland. (Belfast)Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)Carolyn Phyllis Forster. For services to the community in Northern Ireland. (Belfast)Paula Jennings. For services to Adults with Learning Difficulties in Northern Ireland. (Belfast)Noel Liggett. For services to the community in South Belfast. (Belfast)James Wallace McConachie. Owner, Westbank Group Ltd. For services to the Electrical Control Industry in Northern Ireland. (Belfast)Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)Sally Bridge. Student Support Administrator, Queen’s University Belfast. For services to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. (Belfast)Thomas Robert Haire. For services to Local Government and to the community in Belfast. (Belfast)Professor Nigel David Hart. For services to Primary Care, Medical Research and Training. (Belfast)Mary Marian Nicholas. For services to People with Learning Disabilities in Northern Ireland. (Belfast, County Borough of Belfast)Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)Professor Paul Bartholomew. Vice-Chancellor, Ulster University. For services to Higher Education and Public Service. (Ballymoney, County Antrim)Hilary McGrady. Director General, National Trust. For services to Heritage. (Craigavon, County Antrim)Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)Philip Steven McBride. Lately Managing Director, Thales Northern Ireland. For services to the Defence Industry. (Newtownabbey, County Antrim)Professor Maria McIlgorm. Chief Nursing Officer. For services to Nursing and Midwifery in Northern Ireland. (Larne, County Antrim)Professor Tara Moore. Professor of Personalised Medicine, Ulster University. For services to Research, Innovation and Education. (Ballyclare, County Antrim)Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)Julie Erskine. Chair, Business Services Organisation. For services to Health and Social Care. (Portrush, County Antrim)Joanne Liddle. Managing Director, Industrial Precision Components Ltd. For services to the Aerospace Sector in Northern Ireland. (Larne, County Antrim)Elizabeth Agnes Purdy. Business Support Officer, Education Authority Northern Ireland. For services to Education and to the Girls Brigade. ( Ballymena, County Antrim)Donald James Millar Starritt. Head, Road Safety Policy, Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland Civil Service. For services to Road Safety and to Environmental Protection. (Crumlin, County Antrim)Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)Yvonne Carson. Health and Wellbeing Manager, Northern Health and Social Care Trust. For services to Tackling Loneliness. (Ballymena, County Antrim)Vivienne Elizabeth Fullerton. Registrar. For services to Local Government in Northern Ireland. (Newtownabbbey, County Antrim)Alison Jayne Irwin. Lately Head of Equality, Northern Health and Social Care Trust. For services to Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. (Portstewart, County Antrim)County ArmaghMembers of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)Janice Ann Bunting. Chief Executive, Victim Support Northern Ireland. For services to Victims and Witnesses of Crime. (Craigavon, County Armagh)Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)Samuel Jardine. For Public Service and to the community in County Armagh. (Portadown, County Armagh)Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)Professor Michael Peter Alcorn. Professor of Music and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability and Strategic Projects, Queen’s University Belfast. For services to Music, to Higher Education and to the Creative Industries. (Downpatrick, County Down)Annette Elizabeth Beaney. For Charitable Service. (Comber, County Down)Alison Gilchrist. Enforcement Officer, Trading Standards Service, Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland Civil Service. For Public Service. (Banbridge, County Down)Elizabeth Rose Hamilton. Security Guard, Stormont Castle. For Public Service. ( Bangor, County Down)Raymond Michael James Kendall. Ward Manager, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. For services to Nursing and Healthcare for Older People. (Newcastle, County Down)Rhys Joshua McClenaghan BEM. For services to Gymnastics. ( Newtownards, County Down)Dr Marilyn Avril Courtney McMullan (Marilyn Shanks). For services to Education in Northern Ireland. (Newtownards, County Down)Elizabeth Anne Meehan. Patient Demographics Service Manager, Health and Social Care. For services to Healthcare. (Bangor, County Down)Christopher Murdock. Chair, St John Ambulance Northern Ireland. For Voluntary Service to St John Ambulance. (Hillsborough, County Down)Richard Elliott Wright. Retired Police Superintendent. For services to the Welfare of Police Officers. (Bangor, County Down)Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)Joanne Aicken. For Public Service. (Newtownards, County Down)Veronica Dougherty. Personal Secretary, Northern Ireland Policing Board. For Public Service. (Newtownards, County Down)Marjorie Ann Guiler. For services to Young People and to the community in County Down. (Carryduff, County Down)John McMurran. Building Supervisor, Donaghadee Primary School. For services to Education and to the community in Donaghadee. (Newtownards, County Down)Florence Victoria Methven. For Voluntary Service to the NSPCC and to the community in Newcastle, County Down. (Newcastle, County Down)Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)Pauline Mary Walmsley. Chief Executive, Early Years – the organisation for young children. For services to Education in Northern Ireland. ( Enniskillen, County Fermanagh)Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)Alistair Jinks. Director, Business Services, Northern Ireland Water. For services to the Environment and to the Economy. (Coleraine, County Londonderry)Helen Elise Mark DL. For services to Broadcasting. (Limavady, County Londonderry)Margaret Peacock. For services to the community in Coleraine, County Londonderry. (Coleraine, County Londonderry)Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)Mary Hampson. Lately Probation Service Officer, Probation Board for Northern Ireland. For services to Community Safety. (Magherafelt, County Londonderry)Niree Kathleen McMorris. For services to the community in Londonderry. (Londonderry, County Londonderry)Jonathan McNee. Senior Marine Officer, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland). For Voluntary Service to Military Aviation Archaeology in Northern Ireland. (Londonderry, County Londonderry)Eleanor Dorothy Wolfenden-Orr. For services to Charitable Fundraising and to the community in Northern Ireland. (Portstewart, County Londonderry)Rebecca Wray. For services to Volunteering in Northern Ireland. (Coleraine, County Londonderry)Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)Joseph James Brogan. Lately Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management, Strategic Planning and Performance Group. For services to Pharmacy and to Voluntary Service. ( Omagh, County Tyrone)William Desmond Scott. Founder and Chair, Scott and Ewing Ltd and Woodvale Construction Ltd. For services to Construction in Northern Ireland. (Omagh, County Tyrone)Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)David John Dugal. Photographer, The Courier. For services to the community in County Tyrone. ( Dungannon, County Tyrone)Carmel Pauline Garvey. For services to Dance in Tyrone, Northern Ireland. (Castlederg, County Tyrone)