A distinguished former pupil of Methody, Lord Eames, has recently been awarded one of Britain's highest honours - the Order of Merit.

The former Anglican Primate of All Ireland and retired Archbishop of Armagh now joins a select group of just 24 living members (as well as foreign recipients) honoured for their exceptional contribution to the arts, learning, sciences and other areas.

The appointment is in the Queen's personal gift, ministerial advice is not required, and is one of the most coveted of British distinctions. The Order, which was founded in 1902 by Edward VII, is unique in several ways. Firstly it is the only Order bestowed upon recipients by the Queen without any political recommendation. It is also special because it is the only Order specifically for artists, scientists and intellectuals.

From the beginning, the Order was open to women and Florence Nightingale was the first woman to receive the Order in 1907. Others who have received the Order of Merit include Sir Winston Churchill, Bertrand Russell, Graham Greene, Sir Edward Elgar, Mother Teresa and Baroness Thatcher.

Recent recipients include TV naturalist Sir David Attenborough, Lucien Freud, Speaker of the House of Commons Baroness Boothroyd, Oscar-winning dramatist Tom Stoppard, Cardinal Basil Hume and Nelson Mandela.

Lord Eames, the son of a Methodist Minister, qualified as a barrister before entering the Church of Ireland Ministry. He retired as Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh at the end of last year, and, among other roles, now sits as a peer in the House of Lords. Lord Eames, a well known peace advocate, led the Church in Ireland at the height of the Troubles.

The Primate of All Ireland, the Most Rev Alan Harper, praised his predecessor, saying that the award was "extremely deserved." He continued on by saying "It is recognition of a lifetime's service to the Church and to the people of Ireland as a whole, but particularly the people of Northern Ireland during the worst years of the Troubles."