Northern Ireland

Roma Downey and Anna Carragher to receive OBEs

Derry actress and film producer Dr Roma Downey. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Derry actress and film producer Dr Roma Downey. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Derry actress and film producer Dr Roma Downey. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

Derry-born actress Roma Downey and former controller of BBC Northern Ireland Anna Carragher have been honoured for their services to the arts.

The two women have been awarded an OBE in the Birthday Honours List.

Ms Downey, who is originally from the Bogside, is being recognised for services to the arts, drama and to the community in the north.

The star of US blockbuster, 'Touched by an Angel, she grew up in Derry and attended Thornhill College in the city.

She studied art before moving into acting and after a brief stint with Dublin’s Abbey Players, she moved to the United States where she has enjoyed huge success.

She won acclaim for her role as Jacqueline Kennedy in 'A Woman Named Jackie' and also starred in 'The Bible' docudrama, which she produced with her husband, Mark Burnett.

In 2016, she was awarded a Hollywood Walk of Fame star on the famous Hollywood Boulevard, taking her place alongside some of the legends of the big screen, including Marilyn Monroe, Julie Andrews, Humphrey Bogart and Henry Fonda.

Belfast-born Ms Carragher is being honoured for her services to the arts in the north.

She joined the BBC in 1970 where she rose through the ranks to become a broadcasting executive and television producer. Ms Carragher became BBC Northern Ireland's head of programmes in 1995 before becoming its first female controller in September 2000.

She left the corporation in 2006 after 36 years and was appointed to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in 2009.