Blair and Ahern to get doctorates

The two leaders, who played a major part in the peace process, will both get doctorates of laws for "distinction in public service".

Also on the university's list of honours in its centenary year are Fr Alec Reid and Rev Harold Good, who witnessed IRA acts of decommissioning.

The honours will be conferred at various ceremonies throughout the year.

The institution is marking 100 years since it became a fully-fledged university with its own charter, having originally been established as Queen's College in 1845 as one of three colleges in Ireland.

Actors Joanna Lumley and James Ellis will be honoured by the university for their services to the performing arts.

Also receiving honorary degrees will be Booker prize-winning novelist Anne Enright, broadcaster Laurie Taylor and Dr Chitra Bharucha, haematologist and vice-chairperson of the BBC Trust.

Former Conservative Party chairman Lord Mawhinney and computer game developer David Perry are among the Queen's graduates returning to the university.

A university spokeswoman said those selected for honorary doctorates were chosen because they are "role models for our students and the wider community".

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