While they may not have been born here, well-known faces such as Meryl Streep, Lewis Capaldi, Declan Donnelly and more, have strong family connections to Derry and Donegal and speak very proudly of their roots.
Check out our picture gallery and let us know if there’s anyone we missed!
5. Anna Friel
Actress Anna Friel has strong family connections to Inishowen and has been a regular visitor to Donegal over the years. She previously also voiced her support for Donegal families impacted by defective blocks.British actress Anna Friel poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018 in London on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO POSTERS NO MERCHANDISE NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS DEVOTED TO ARTISTS (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)Photo: TOLGA AKMEN
6. Johnny Logan
Eurovision legend Johnny Logan's father was Derry-born Charles Sherrard, who, as a tenor, had the stage name Patrick O’Hagan. He was born on William Street. After moving to Australia, from the late 1950s until the mid-1960s ‘Patrick O’Hagan Sings’ was one of the most popular shows on Australian television. He also performed for three different Presidents of the United States at the White House. In May, 1954 while on a tour of Australia, one of Patrick’s sons was born at Frankston, near Melbourne. He was named Sean Patrick Michael Sherrard and is now known to us as the iconic Johnny Logan, who is always proud to talk of his Derry connection.Photo: dj
7. Bressie
While he's a proud Mullingar man, mental health advocate and musician Niall Breslin, better known as 'Bressie' has connections to Bundoran and Carndonagh.Photo: DJ
8. Tim Allen
Host of popular shows like ‘The Apprentice: You're Fired’ and a regular on ‘The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice’ the comedian, actor, presenter and writer Tim Allen previously spoke to the Journal about his family connections to both Derry and Donegal. He said: "My grandfather was from there and I have a lot of cousins who live in Derry and Donegal.”Tom says he didn’t realise ‘just how connected’ he was to Donegal until he delved into his family history for a TV show called, ‘DNA Journey,’ with his good friend, Joel Dommett.“It turns out that my mum’s dad is from Donegal. It’s very beautiful – Harkin was the name there.”His grandfather's son moved to America to work. When he sent back for his family, they had moved to Derry and many of their descendants remain here."Photo: dj