Mickey Joe Harte is an icon on the Irish music scene. Mickey, a multi platinum award winning musician, won the music competition “You’re A Star” in 2003, and subsequently went on to represent Ireland in the Eurovision in Riga.
His song “We’ve Got the World” shot to the top of the Irish charts after his Eurovision performance.
Mickey, who hails from Lifford, continues to produce music and write songs.
This is Mickey’s Donegal…
(1) What is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
The Atlantic drive, just around the coast from Downings is hard to beat.
(2) If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
It has been a long time wish of mine that our local politicians will take a bipartisan approach to creating a possible way forward for the reinstating of a railway line / train service into the heart of Donegal, we are at an exceptional disadvantage when it comes to attracting tourism, investment and national and international events, to mention only a few.
That’s the one thing I don’t like about my home county! Remember they put men on the moon, surely we could get a train into Letterkenny, or beyond! Or to infinity and beyond…
(3) Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?
Me Mammy, who else! Many reasons why, but too many to mention..
(4) Daniel O’Donnell or Packie Bonner?
That’s a tough one… Although you could have asked my preference of Margo or Shay Given, then I’d have had to bail out at this early stage!
I’ve met Daniel and Packie on several separate occasions and in fairness they are both true gentlemen and fantastic ambassadors for the county, but Packie sings a mean Daniel tune, and I’ve never seen Daniel in nets, so for that reason I’ll go with big Packie in the goals! And the immense joy he brought us all with that penalty save, if you’re confused ask your parents guys.
(5) What has been Donegal’s proudest moment in recent years?
Jimmy Mc Guinness and the way the Donegal players have set up, and have conducted themselves in recent years, inspirational for young and old.
(6) What was Donegal’s saddest moment?
I will pass on this…
(7) What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
Football special and emerald guitars.
(8) Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
Jeez you’re not making this easy are you! I guess I’d have to give this accolade to Daniel, he’s unmistakably Donegal and talks about it any chance he gets.. fair play!
(9) Who is Donegal’s most successful businessperson in your opinion?
Well I think what Moya Doherty and Riverdance have achieved world wide is quite astonishing, and we can claim her for sure.
(10) Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
Ah HELLO!!! SHAY GIVEN.
(11) What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
Kitty Kelly’s from past, I kind of love most things about Harvey’s Point, and the restaurant is no different, and if anyone wants to sample what I’m talking about check out the Sunday carvery… failing that a sirloin in Friel’s of Raphoe will sort ye out!
(12) Donegal’s golden eagles or basking sharks?
Basking sharks. I love to swim in the Atlantic so they win every time.
(13) What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
“Hi sir… Keep er lit, and plough on!”
(14) What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?
Emigration unbelievably!
(15) What is your favourite Donegal food?
Crab claws, mussels, dulse, all washed down with a nice Kinnegar beer.
(16) Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
Sometimes we are a little narrow minded, but I think that’s an Irish thing not just Donegal. I include myself in that by the way, and I’m as guilty of it as the next person, it’s in our DNA I guess… But we can always blame the Vikings and the Brits!
(17) Do you have a favourite local band?
‘In Their Thousands’, ‘The Wolves of Youth’, ‘Rainy Boy Sleep’ and ‘Rosie Carney’ come to mind!
(18) What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
My big brother Jim, and a few other musicians and family, and I would have to say that from the start I drew a lot of inspiration from the music and songwriting style of Paul Brady.
(19) If you have a million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?
I’d start laying a few sleepers for the new railway across the bridge at Lifford…
(20) Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of?
The amount of good will and support I received from the county while taking part in ‘You’re A Star’ and subsequently the Eurovision, and in many other ways since, that makes me proud to be from Donegal and still does. That’s something i’ll never forget or could ever repay, so once again thank you one and all, and sorry about the phone bills!
To keep an eye on what Mickey’s been up to, you can check out his Facebook, Twitter, or website
Tags:#soundofthe #summer @RTE2fm @NickyByrne @Aidanrtemusic @RTELateLateShow @rte2xm @NI_Music https://t.co/YPoxxPVzPK pic.twitter.com/Z4OjmWo2LS
— Mickey Harte (@MickeyJoeHarte) May 30, 2016
