Write a commentThe Queens Birthday Honours List at the weekend saw several local recipients receive acknowledgement from Queen Elizabeth of their outstanding contributions to local society.
Irish Rugby’s, Rory Best was awarded an OBE for services to Rugby while local Southern Trust Manager and traditional music champion Fergal O'Brien was awarded an MBE
Rory from Acton, Poyntzpass as a player for Ireland won the Six Nations Championship three times in 2009, 2014 and 2015, the Grand Slam in 2009 and twice won of the Triple Crown in 2007 and 2009.
Rory is Captain of the British and Irish Lions 2017 team.
Rory began his association with rugby at Banbridge Rugby Club who offered their congratulations to the much liked captain with “Congratulations to one of our own” on their Facebook page.
Fergal O’Brien a Wellbeing Manager for the Southern Trust received an MBE for his outstanding services to the community through Social Work.
Fergal, a qualified Social Worker started his career in the community sector and has managed a range of community development and health improvement services for the Southern Trust in the Newry and Mourne area. He has also worked as a Training and Development Consultant for the Trust’s Social Services Workforce Development and Training Team, taking a lead role in Community Development and Person Centred planning.
Congratulating Fergal on his MBE, Roberta Brownlee, Chair of the Southern Trust said:
“We are absolutely delighted that Fergal has received this recognition for his years of dedication to improving the wellbeing of our local communities. Fergal has been a real advocate for taking a community development approach to addressing health inequalities and has worked with a great team of Promoting Wellbeing and Social Services colleagues in helping to improve the health and social outcomes for local people.”
Other recipients included Cornelius Peter O'Hare. Caretaker, Southern Regional College, Newry West Campus received a BEM for services to Further Education in Northern Ireland and Marie Rafferty also was awarded a BEM for services to the community in Newry and Mourne.
