Five local residents have been awarded honours in The Queen’s Birthday Honours.

In the most high-profile nod for the area, and for Northern Ireland, former First Minister and former Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA Arlene Foster has been made a dame, with the title of Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE).

Dame Arlene was the first female to be elected as Northern Ireland First Minister, and the first female leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.

She received her DBE for her Political and Public Service, and the Royalist told this newspaper that receiving her damehood during the Platinum Jubilee makes it very special to her.

Other Fermanagh residents honoured as part of the 2022 Birthday Honours include Marjorie Aitken, who has been awarded a BEM for Services to Older People in Northern Ireland. Ms. Aitken is from Irvinestown,  County Fermanagh.

Also receiving a BEM is Dr. Alan Cooper, lately a member of the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside, and who is being awarded his BEM for Services to the Environment. Dr. Cooper is a resident of  Derrygonnelly.

In neighbouring Tyrone, two Fivemiletown men have been honoured for their contribution to the community. Iain Lendrum, who serves as Chairman of the Fivemiletown Royal British Legion Club, and the Fivemiletown Coronavirus Response Group, was awarded a BEM for Services to the Community in County Tyrone during Covid-19.

Also honoured with a BEM is Robert John Robertson, for Services to St John’s Parish Church, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone. Mr. Robertson has served his community for many years as a gravedigger.