A member of the Kilkenny brewing family Smithwicks has been given an OBE by Queen Elizabeth.
Paul Benedict Smithwick - a lawyer - is being honoured for services to British-Irish relations.
The announcement was made at a black-tie dinner at Smithwick's brewery visitors centre in Kilkenny last night.
When asked about that possibility of a Royal visit by Prince Charles, Mr Smithwick told KCLR News he would not rule it out.
"I'd love it to happen - it will happen," he suggested.
Mr Smithwick is included in the New Year honour list alongside hundreds of others, including Northern Ireland soccer manager Michael O’Neill.
BBC reports that Professor John McCanny of Queen's University in Belfast has been awarded a knighthood.
More than 100 British Olympians and Paralympians have been included among the 1,197 people on the list.
Every gold medallist from the Rio Games who hadn't already been recognised in previous years has been honoured.
Andy Murray has been awarded a knighthood for services to tennis and for his charity work in a year in which he won Olympic gold and became world number one.
Distance runner Mo Farah - also awarded a knighthood - said it was a "dream come true" for a boy who, when he arrived in London from Somalia, was unable to speak English.
From the world of entertainment, Kinks frontman Ray Davies, comedian Ken Dodd and actor Mark Rylance have been awarded knighthoods.
Keeping Up Appearances actress Patricia Routledge is made a dame for services to theatre and charity.
American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who becomes a dame for services to fashion and journalism.
Victoria Beckham is made an OBE for services to the fashion industry, 13 years after her husband David received the same honour.
The news of the former Spice Girl's honour was revealed earlier this week, breaking protocol
