Tullylish Historical Society launched their latest publication "Tullylish - an Ancient and Historic Parish" on Friday 2nd September in the Community Centre, Laurencetown. Dr. Éamon Phoenix was guest speaker and lived up to his reputation by entralling the packed hall with his eloquent talk on Tullylish Parish. Éamon is more than proud to have Tullylish blood in his veins and is always ready to help the Historcial Society with their projects.   

Plunkett Campbell, author of the book, Dr. Éamon Phoenix and Catherine McEvoy. Éamon as presented with a 1685 map of Belfast/ 

Plunkett and Marie with the family
L-R Daughter-in-law Frances, daughter Maire, Plunkett and Marie, son Conor and grandson Rory

and the extended Campbell family.o

Marian Thompson, Arthur Campbell, Mary Campbell, Maire Campbell, Plunkett, Dr. Eamon Phoenix, Marie, Conor Frances and Rory Campell, Sean McAteer. 

The 'Book Sellers' Margaret Johnston and Sean O'Dowd.

Lovely how Margaret co-ordinated her jewellery with the book! Such dedication!

Sean O'Dowd, Catherine McEvoy, Alice Phoenix and Marie O'Dowd

Éamon and his wife Alice looking at the school photograph of his father, Jim Phoenix who attended Bann Primary School

The book is part of the project "The Life and Times of Reverend William Butler Yeats", which was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The history incorporates the period when Reverend Yeats, father of John Butler and grandfather of Wm. Butler, poet and Nobel Prize Winner, was Rector of Tullylish (1836-1862). It also charts the impact of the Famine and the meteoric boom and decline of the linen industry in the area.

It is an attractively produced local history of the parish, tracing its ancient origins and developments through the centuries. Together with the DVD "From Tullylish to Drumcliffe", depicting the life and times of Reverend William Butler Yeats and an Historical Map of the Upper Bann Valley, they should lift into focus all that is of relevance to the story.

It is hoped that the efforts of the society will give local people and particularly the younger generation a sense of identity and pride in the area.