Women’s Aid Armagh Down chief executive Eileen Murphy has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list, leading a strong showing of local recipients recognised for their service to communities across Armagh and beyond.
Ms Murphy, who has spent decades supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse, receives the honour for services to charity.
Reacting to the news, she said: “I am honoured to receive this recognition from His Majesty King Charles.
“While this award is made in my name, it reflects the work of so many people who have dedicated their lives to supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse. I am privileged to work alongside an exceptional team at Women’s Aid Armagh Down and with colleagues across Northern Ireland who work tirelessly every day to challenge and address what remains one of the greatest social issues facing our communities.
“Every accolade, every mention and every opportunity to speak about this issue gives a voice to women and children experiencing domestic and sexual abuse. It helps ensure their experiences are heard, understood and acted upon.”
Looking ahead, Ms Murphy said the honour would bolster ongoing efforts to expand specialist services.
“I am delighted to accept this honour on behalf of my team, our volunteers, our supporters and, most importantly, the women and children whose courage and resilience inspire us every day.
“As we look to the future, our focus remains firmly on delivering ELEOS, our trauma centre of excellence for women and children impacted by domestic abuse. Having recently opened Phase 1, we are now actively fundraising to deliver Phases 2 and 3, ensuring that more women, children and young people can access the specialist support they need to recover, rebuild and thrive.”
Also recognised in this year’s list is former Ulster Farmers’ Union chief executive Wesley Aston, who receives an MBE for services to agriculture.
From a small beef and sheep farm in Co Armagh, Mr Aston built a 35–year career with the UFU, joining in 1991 as a policy officer and rising to policy director by 1995, before being appointed chief executive in 2015.
During his tenure he helped steer the industry through BSE, foot-and-mouth disease, major reforms to farm support, Brexit and Covid-19, and was central to the formation of key industry bodies including AgriSearch, Animal Health and Welfare NI (AHWNI) and Sustainable Ruminant Genetics (SRG). He also played a leading role in the UFU’s centenary celebrations in 2018.
Reflecting on his career as he retired earlier this year, Mr Aston pointed to both challenges and opportunities ahead for farming, citing climate change, Lough Neagh, bovine TB and new livestock diseases, but also the enduring need for food and the importance of a “strategic, collaborative approach between industry and government” to secure a sustainable future.
Local community stalwart Pauline Bothwell has also been awarded an MBE, recognising more than four decades of quiet, sustained service through Crossfire Trust in south Armagh.
Speaking to Armagh I, Mrs Bothwell admitted she was taken aback by the official letter: “I was shocked and wondered if I had got the right envelope. Obviously other people knew about it as they had nominated me. As the shock subsided, delight and honour came into my thoughts and feelings.
“Memories of the past 40 years since I went to live at Darkley, after getting married, and serve the people through Crossfire Trust came rushing back into my mind. We moved into what local people referred to as ‘The Big House’ and didn’t quite realise what a big undertaking it was going to be.
“We were living the dream. It has been an honour and a great achievement to be welcomed and accepted by the local community and to have a facility now which provides accommodation, support and recovery for many people.
“This award comes as an endorsement of the hidden service which has been a life time commitment and I receive it along with the many helpers and friendships formed during these 40 years.”
Her husband, Crossfire Trust director Ian Bothwell, received an MBE in 2013 for his own decades of service to the people of south Armagh.
Another MBE goes to Mrs Kathleen (Kate) Courtenay, lately Head of Children and Disability Services with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, for services to people with disabilities.
A Southern Trust spokesperson said: “The Trust congratulates Kathleen ‘Kate’ Courtenay, former Head of Children and Disability Services, on being awarded an MBE for her services to health and social care. Kathleen made a significant and lasting contribution to children’s and disability services within the Southern Trust.
“Kate has now retired from her role but we are very pleased to see her recognised in this way and wish her well on this well-deserved honour.”
Also recognised is Mr Maurice Henry Geddis, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Avondale Foods Ltd and ENE Ltd, who receives an MBE for services to innovation and entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland.
In the British Empire Medal (BEM) category, several further local figures are honoured for their grassroots work:
- Mr Campbell Best, for services to the community in Portadown, County Armagh
- Mrs Maxine Chambers, Senior Youth Support Worker with Goal Line Youth Trust and Co-Founder of the Bluebell Trust, for services to young people in Portadown
- Mrs Patricia Feeney, Leader of Caledon Playgroup, for services to young children in Northern Ireland
For the full list of recipients, click here.
