Neeson tops popularity poll

A recent YouGov Northern Ireland poll reveals that Ballymena born Liam Neeson – famed for his roles as Oskar Schindler in Oscar-winning film Schindler’s List; Bryan Mills in Taken and Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace – has emerged as the region’s favourite Northern Irish personality.

The Oscar-nominated actor topped the poll after nearly two in five (39%) put him in their top three Northern Irish personalities. Young Northern Irish respondents were most enamoured by Liam Neeson, with over half of 18-24 year olds (54%) voting for the actor.

The poll – which excludes political figures – sought to find the region’s favourite Northern Irish personalities by interviewing over 1,000 Northern Irish respondents.

Taking second spot in the poll – fellow actor James Nesbit (of Cold Feet fame), coincidentally also born in Ballymena – was voted for by 28% of respondents. While former number one male golfer, Rory Mcllroy, closely followed with over a quarter (26%) of respondents selecting him. The U.S Open winner polled second amongst Northern Irish adults aged 18-24 with 30%, showing that he is fast becoming a key role model amongst young adults across the region.

Other Northern Irish celebrities who proved popular include: professional golfer Darren Clarke (20%); actor and film director Kenneth Branagh (15%); TV presenter Christine Bleakley (14%) and comedian Colin Murphy (10%).