by Evelyn Cullen 

He answered the phone with a simple ‘hello’. I suppose what else could he say, but I had expected his personal assistant, who had set up the interview, to pick up. Instead, it was the man himself, and any nerves I had instantly melted away at the sound of that warm, familiar Donegal voice.

An undeniable legend of country music in Donegal, Ireland and far beyond, Daniel O’Donnell hardly needs an introduction.

With a career spanning over 40 years, more than 50 albums, and an estimated 10 million records sold worldwide, his achievements speak for themselves.

Yet he wears this legacy lightly. Despite global fame, Daniel has always remained true to himself and grounded in his Donegal roots.

“It’s because of where I’m from,” he said. “Everybody knows everybody around here, and you know who you are. People are very pleased for my achievements, and I’m grateful for that. That’s what keeps me grounded.”

Remarkably, he still gets nervous before stepping on stage. Singer Sinéad Black told me this when I interviewed her for our last edition of ‘Country Beat’.

She recalled performing with Daniel and being shocked when, backstage before they went out, he admitted to feeling nervous.

“What chance have I…” said she. “If Daniel still gets nervous?”

When I put this to him, he explained, “It’s the adrenaline rush that gives me the nerves, which is no bad thing.

“I suppose it comes from a respect for what you’re doing and for the audience who have turned out to see you perform. It’s humbling and keeps me on my toes.”

And just as my nerves disappeared when I heard his voice on the phone, his vanish the moment he steps onto the stage, where he truly belongs.

Over the years, his wide-ranging career has taken him far beyond music. He has appeared on TV shows such as ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ on BBC (2015) and RTÉ’s ‘Room to Improve’ (2018). He plays a central role in community events like ‘Relay for Life’ and the ‘Mary from Dungloe Festival’, and he lends his support to countless charity fundraisers.

But what really makes Daniel O’Donnell tick? His answer comes without hesitation: “Definitely the live shows.

“Being on stage and connecting with the audience in that special symbiotic way where we both give and take, that’s where the magic really is for me, and where I’m most at home. I get so much out of it when the audience sing along. It’s a two-way street.”

Music, of course, is at the heart of everything. With such a vast back catalogue of hits beloved by fans worldwide, I asked if he has a personal favourite to perform, or one that audiences insist on hearing every time.

“I’m lucky that there’s a few, so people aren’t waiting all night for just one song,” he laughed. Off the top of his tongue came a roll call of classics: ‘I Want to Dance with You’, ‘Stand Beside Me’, ‘Down at the La-de-da’, and, of course, ‘My Donegal Shore’.

‘Coming together of Irishness’

These songs take on an added resonance when he performs for Irish audiences abroad, in places like Australia and Canada.

“I’m aware that some young Irish people who come to my shows abroad mightn’t be inclined to come when they’re at home, but when you’re away, it’s that coming together of Irishness that brings them out. I love that,” he said.

One of Daniel’s most memorable experiences on stage came during a show in Nova Scotia, Canada in 2017. He was performing the emotional ballad, ‘Song for the Mira’, which was written in 1973 by a man called Allister MacGillivray.

The song was born out of homesickness while he was away from his Nova Scotia home and expresses that longing for the tranquil beauty of the Mira River and the small community of Marion Bridge.

Well, wasn’t Mr McGillivray in the audience that night and didn’t he come up on stage and sing with Daniel. Not only that but every one of the 4,000 people in the audience also stood up in appreciation and sang along.

“That was a moment in time and I still get goosebumps when I remember it” said Daniel.

As a proud Donegal man, Daniel’s support for the county GAA team is well known. And speaking of memorable moments, I asked him about joining the players on stage during the homecoming in Donegal Town this July, following the heartbreaking All-Ireland Final defeat against Kerry.

“I wanted to get across to the team that of course we’d all have been happier to bring Sam (Maguire) back, but we couldn’t be any prouder,” said Daniel. He then sang ‘Home to Donegal’ amid a bittersweet mix of heartbreak and pride.

Indeed, when he was in Kerry afterwards for the Rose of Tralee festival and Daithi O’Sé passed him the coveted cup, Daniel didn’t miss a beat when he gave it a wee shine with the edge of his sleeve and quipped “Just yous keep it clean for us meanwhile, because it’ll be back up in the hills again before long”.

Fashion statement

He has also seen the fantastic new music video by country/indie band CMAT (Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson) in which the lead singer wears a dress with his face on it.

“It’s amazing” he gushed, “She’s a very talented artist and I’m delighted for the Letterkenny girls (Mirren and Brodie McFeely) who make the clothing.”

My Aunt Máire also wanted me to ask him if he’d ever consider running for President of Ireland, so I took my chance.

“Although it would surely be a great honour, I think that ship has sailed for me. I wouldn’t be the best person qualified for the job, but the very best of luck to whoever does get it,” he said. Nevertheless, wouldn’t he make a great Uachtarán?

And with that, I thanked Daniel for his time and generosity in answering all my questions and wished him well for his year off next year. Contrary to stories that have been posted on Facebook about an upcoming tour in 2026, Daniel is taking a well-earned rest, during which he plans to relax, spend time with his family, play golf, bridge and travel.

However, he will still play his part in the ‘Mary from Dungloe Festival’, ‘Opry le Daniel’ and ‘Relay for Life’.

As our conversation drew to a close, I was left with the feeling that after more than 40 years in the spotlight and plenty more to come, Daniel remains, as he began, simply himself. Exactly what he advises for the next generation of country music stars. And maybe that’s the secret after all.