Mickey Harte

Mickey Joe Harte (born 21 August 1973) is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician. He gained fame after representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 and has remained a prominent figure in Irish pop rock music ever since. His career spans multiple hit singles, four studio albums, and countless live performances across Ireland and abroad. 

Early Life and Family

Mickey Harte was born and raised in Lifford, County Donegal, Ireland. As a teenager, he had what he calls an “epiphany” when he first picked up a guitar and wrote a song. By age 13, he was already writing his own songs, including one inspired by world events at the time. Mickey’s mother is a poet, and he later set some of her poems to music, showing how his family influenced his songwriting. In his personal life, Mickey Harte is married to his wife Louise and they have four children together. 

Eurovision Breakthrough

In late 2002, Mickey Harte entered You’re a Star, a new Irish television talent show on RTÉ. He won the first season of the show in early 2003. This victory brought him national fame and earned him the honor of representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003. At the Eurovision final in Riga, Latvia, Mickey performed the upbeat song “We’ve Got the World”. Ireland finished 11th in the competition that year. Back home in Ireland, “We’ve Got the World” became a massive hit. The single went straight to number one on the Irish Singles Chart and held the top spot for five weeks, becoming the country’s best-selling song of 2003. Mickey – then often known as “Mickey Joe Harte” – had become a household name as Ireland’s new Eurovision star.

Debut Album and Hit Singles

After Eurovision, Mickey Harte signed a recording deal with Sony Music Ireland. He quickly set to work on his debut album. In late 2003, he released Sometimes Right, Sometimes Wrong, which entered the Irish Albums Chart at number one. The album achieved multi-platinum sales in Ireland. The album produced several hit singles. In addition to “We’ve Got the World,” songs like “Never Wanna Let You Down” and “There Must Be Love” also charted in the Irish top 10. 

Second Album and Continued Career

Mickey Harte’s early success was followed by a period of musical growth. When his deal with Sony ended, he took a more independent route for his second album. In 2006 he released Live and Learn, a record he put out on his own label, Swerve Music. This album showed Mickey branching out and experimenting with a blend of rock, country, and blues influences in his sound. He spent the next few years touring extensively to promote his music, traveling across Ireland and connecting with fans in countless pubs, clubs, and concert venues. During this time, Mickey also began to drop the “Joe” from his stage name, becoming known simply as Mickey Harte.

The mid-2000s saw Mickey honing his craft as a live performer. He performed at many festivals and events, and even participated in a celebrity reality TV show in 2007 (Celebrities Go Wild) where he had to survive in the wild countryside alongside other well-known personalities. Mickey embraced opportunities to grow as an artist. He opened shows for famous Irish groups like The Chieftains and The Saw Doctors. Also, he performed alongside legends such as Shane MacGowan of The Pogues and Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood. His work was recognized with a nomination for a Meteor Music Award, one of Ireland’s top music honors. He also showcased his talent internationally by performing at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas. 

Third Album and Live Performances

After some years on the road, Mickey Harte returned with new recorded music at the start of the 2010s. He had spent about five years living and working in the United States, writing new songs and collaborating with other musicians. In 2011, he released his third studio album, titled Forward to Reality, on his own label. This album was recorded in Chicago, USA, with producer John Condron. Forward to Reality has a more organic and stripped-down sound, built from acoustic guitar foundations and honest lyrics, which earned praise for its refreshing, heartfelt style. Songs like “Time” (one of the singles from the album) reflected Mickey’s mature songwriting and mix of pop rock with folk and country touches.

Halftime show

Around this period, Mickey continued to shine as a live performer on big stages. In 2012, he had the honor of singing at Croke Park stadium in Dublin during the halftime of an All-Ireland Football Championship semi-final. That same year, when his home county Donegal won the national football title, Mickey performed at the team’s homecoming celebration, leading crowds in song in Donegal town. Mickey also reached international audiences: for example, in 2016 he was invited to open a large open-air concert in Germany for Belgian singer Milow, playing to a crowd of about 30,000 people.

Mentoring and Other Ventures

Alongside writing and performing his own music, Mickey Harte has devoted time to helping others develop their musical talents. After experiencing the spotlight of Eurovision and talent shows himself, he turned to mentorship roles. He founded a music school for young, aspiring musicians in his hometown, aiming to guide and encourage the next generation of Irish talent. He also served as a coach on the RTÉ television series Star Search. Mickey’s friendly and down-to-earth personality made him a natural mentor figure.

Over the years, Mickey has occasionally appeared on Irish television outside of music as well, showing different sides of himself. In 2011, he briefly featured in an Irish documentary called Brian and Pippa Get Married, where he was the best man at a high-profile wedding and even composed a special song for the occasion. More recently, in 2025, Mickey took on a new challenge by joining the cast of Dancing with the Stars Ireland. He competed in the show’s eighth series and danced with professional partner Daniela Roze.

Recent Years and Legacy

Mickey Harte has recorded a total of four studio albums to date, maintaining a steady output of music across two decades. His fourth album, Me Two, was released in 2018 and added to his diverse discography. In 2017, he released the single “For the Broken Hearted,” recorded during a stint in Germany. After a short hiatus, Mickey made a comeback with the 2021 single “Derry Girl,” an upbeat song inspired by a cross-community love story. “Derry Girl” was his first new release in three years and was recorded with producer Tommy McLaughlin, marking a fresh chapter in his music.