Liam Porter from Raphoe is owner of Liam Porter Media, a PR business that works with a range of clients to offer a full suite of PR services. In his spare time he coaches youngsters mostly at Raphoe Town FC and Finn Harps Academy, but he’s also been known to lend a hand with St. Mary’s GAA Club in Convoy. Or indeed, you could find him asking questions at the local community table quiz or popping in to take a picture for the Raphoe boxing or running club – basically helping out whenever he can with his local community.
(1) What is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
There are so many to choose from and so many I love: Killydonnell Friary in Ramelton, Glenveagh, Ards Forest Park, Sliabh Liag, the list could go on. But if I had to be pressed into choosing one overall favourite, it’s closer to home for me and Beltany Stone Circle just outside Raphoe. I love the history of my home town and it always amazes me that this massive stone circle could have been built where it is, considering how long it has been standing.
(2) If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
Honestly, I’d love to see somebody sit down and work out a traffic management plan for Letterkenny that gets traffic moving in and out of the town a lot better than it does.
(3) Who is the one person that you look up to and why?
I really couldn’t name just one because there are just so many! I find myself constantly in awe of all the brilliant volunteers we have in this county in sports clubs and community groups and charities. The work they do is immense and totally undervalued and I’d say every single week I’m inspired to try to follow the example they set.
(4) What’s your happiest Christmas memory in Donegal?
I’ve been blessed to have many amazing Christmas memories from my own childhood up to the present day. I think the ones that give me most joy when I think back, are in more recent times with my own daughters when we used to take Christmas photos every year. We had lots of fun doing that.
(5) What has been Donegal’s proudest moment in recent years?
It has to be the Donegal team winning the All-Ireland in 2012. That gave everyone in the county such a lift and Donegal was a brilliant place to be that entire summer – and then after that famous day in September, for the rest of the year too. (Followed closely by BJ’s goal against Limerick and the Harps promotion that it led to!)
(6) If you found a magic wand that allowed you to grant one wish, what
would it be?
I’d wish that all my family and friends could live for the rest of their days without worry, stress or pain. Happily ever after I suppose.
(7) What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
I have to say that I don’t think people actually realise the extent of the talent we have in the county or the range of outstanding products that are actually made right here in Donegal. Asked to pick a favourite from among all of them I simply couldn’t, so instead I’ll pick my own book ‘Dance In The Rain’ – written, designed and printed right here in Donegal – because I am still truly very proud of it.
(8) Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
I don’t think I’ve been around enough of the world to know who people abroad really know from the county.
I think Daniel O’Donnell has always been a fantastic amabassador for Donegal, but then again I also think that Seamus Coleman, Michael Murphy, Shay Given and Packie Bonner have all been terrific as well.
(9) What has been the biggest compliment you’ve ever received?
I took a punt and asked the love of my life if she’d marry me – and she said yes! Still can hardly believe it.
(10) Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
Well I have to say that coming from a small place, to have a three-time Olympian from the same wee town is amazing, so Chloe Magee is right up there for me in terms of what she has achieved.
My favourite though has to be Shay Given. I watched him play for Lifford teams as a youngster. I was at home the day my late father got the call to say Shay was called into the Irish U16 squad and later I was in the old Landsdowne Road, for his debut for the Irish senior team. To see him go all the way to the World Cup, to play week in and week out in the Premier League and so many times for Ireland was just amazing. Best of all, he remained always so down to earth and approachable and he never forgot his roots here in Donegal. An absolute gentleman and a sporting hero for sure.
(11) What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
I don’t really get out often enough to eat to really have a favourite. Maybe that will be the New Year’s resolution for 2018!
(12) What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
Up the Harps.
(13) What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?
I don’t think there is any one challenge that affects everybody. It’s more a case that everybody faces different challenges every day, some bigger than others. I suppose the biggest challenge is the test of resilience those tests bring. Whatever they are, those tests, they will pass. Nothing lasts forever. It’s temporary. Be patient.
(14) What is your favourite food that you associate with Donegal?
The spuds!
(15) Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
Some of the stuff you hear from the sidelines when young people are playing sport.
(16) Do you have a favourite local band?
The musical talent we have in this county is outstanding. I love the stuff I’ve heard from Little Hours – but also check out the brilliant Without Willow and my old neighbour and current quiz adversary Dean Maywood has a top notch sound that kinda reminds me of Josh Ritter!
(17) If you had a million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?
I don’t know where I’d even start. I think I’d see first if I could try to distribute it a bit wider, give some to all the sporting and community clubs in Raphoe and some to Finn Harps and maybe some charities like the Childhood Cancer Foundation.
(18) Where’s the most unusual place you’ve logged on to Donegal Daily?
Standing on top of The Rocky Steps in Philadelphia.
(19) Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of?
I think the people of Donegal are brilliant. They are friendly and generous and in my experience they are just downright really good.
(20) What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?
I get to meet so many interesting, resilient, talented, determined people who all have amazing stories and who are working so hard to make Donegal a brilliant place to be. They are the small businesses who are the lifeblood of the economy of this county and it is real a joy to work with them and to try to help them.
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