The late motorcycle legend Joey Dunlop is to be awarded an honorary degree by the University of Ulster during its summer graduation ceremonies, it was announced tonight.
The degree will be accepted by his widow Linda at the same ceremony as brother Robert Dunlop collects his own award. The brothers will receive the degree of Doctor of the University in recognition of their excellence as motorcycle racers and for services to charity.
The musical career of Belfast singer Brian Kennedy, who recently performed at the funeral service of George Best, is also recognised with the honorary degree, Doctor of Letters. A similar award goes to Marie Jones, one of Northern Ireland's most prolific and successful playwrights.
One of her most successful plays Stones In His Pocketshas played to audiences around the world and been nominated for two Tony Awards.
Olympic athlete and hockey player Maeve Kyle - she competed in the Melbourne, Rome and Tokyo Olympics and won 58 Irish caps - will receive the degree Doctor of the University in recognition of her distinction as a sportswoman and her later work in developing coaching.
US Senator George Mitchell, who brokered the Belfast Agreement, and who is Chancellor of Queen's University, Belfast is awarded the degree Doctor of Law.
The same award goes to distinguished English barrister Michael Mansfield QC, who represented families at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry and the family of Stephen Lawrence at the public inquiry into his death and in their private prosecution for murder.