A little bit of stardust fell on Tullylish on Tuesday 7th July 2015 when South African model/actress Tanit Phoenix and her fiancé actor Sharlto Copley, dropped in to the land of Tanit's ancestors - the Phoenix family from Ballylough.

Tanit has appeared in international TV commercials for Adidas, Coca-cola, Volvic water, Aqua-mineral, Visine,Schweppes, American Swiss Jewellery, Citroen C3, Nivea, Alberto VO5, Aria, Transition Lenses and Volvic

She has appeared on the cover of South African Cosmopolitan four times, South African and American FHM numerous times.  In 2010, she starred in the horror film Lost Boys: The Thirst and the action film Death Race: Frankenstein Lives opposite Sean Bean and also appeared in the comedy Spud opposite John Cleese.

 Sharlto was South Africa's youngest television producers at age 25. He starred in the Oscar nominated science fiction hit 'District 9 (2009) and played the role of H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock in the big screen adaption of the 1980's TV hit 'The A-Team (2010)' 
Tanit and Sharlto currently live in Hollywood L.A.

Tanit's father, Gavin Phoenix had made contact through www.tullylish.com. He had seen the Ballylough School connection. So thankfully, we were able to do the research and find the relevant information. 

Gavin's grandfather was George Phoenix, born in Coose, Laurenetown in 1901, attended boarding school in Dublin before joing the Royal Navy as a mechanic. He left the navy in 1920 and then travelled to south Africa in 1922, possibly with his uncle Harold. 

George married in South Africa, had a son named George, who had a son named Gavin, who had a daughter named Tanit! 

Tanit and Sharlto were in Brighton where Sharlto is acting in a film, so they popped over to Ireland for a couple of days. Unfortunately, they typed Laurencetown in to their sat nav and ended up in Laurencetown, GALWAY, so while we were waiting for them, Eamon Phoenix, his cousin Marie Ryan and Plunkett went to locate the original Phoenix homestead in Drumiller. 

 When Tanit and Sharlto arrived, Éamon showed them the Phoenix family tree and Tanit was delighted to see her name included on it. 

 Eamon brought along the Phoenix family Bible.

 Tanit and Sharlto looking at the marriage record of William Phoenix to Lucy Conlon

 Sharlto apologised for his 'appearance' - he is playing a part in a 70's film and therefore had to have the moustache and sideburns!

The Phoenix Connection

 L-R Francesca Ryan, Marie Ryan, Éamon Phoenix, Jacinta McCurdy and Tanit Phoenix

 The Belfast branch of the Phoenix clan were very good to come along and meet their cousin.

 Tanit with Catherine and Plunkett

As Tanit's great grandfather was born in Coose and we know it was somewhere between the church and the crossroads, Tanit wanted to have her photo taken on the bridge.  

 Ballylough School

Tanit was quite emotional when she arrived here as she had seen the plaque on tullylish.com 

 On our 'Ballylough School' night, lasy year, Eamon was very impressed with the Boggle Hill views across the 6 counties that he was keen for our visitors to experience them.

Tullyllish Presbyterian Churchyard - the final resting place of a number of the Phoenix family 

 We ended the evening with a meal in the Weaver's Lodge

Dear Catherine

I want to say thankyou from the bottom of my heart for all the work you have done in connecting the Phoenix family members and uncovering the missing pieces and putting the puzzle together. I am so deeply grateful. Thankyou for setting up the day yesterday, it was just lovely and so informative. I will be back To Tullylish and up to Belfast on my next trip into Ireland and will come say hello and give you a hug.

Please let me know when you have any new info or any more Phoenix members pop up in the future.

Stay well

Kindest regards

Tanit