Daniel O’Donnell on singing for the Pope and how his wife Majellais fighting fit again
Daniel O’Donnell was criticised for singing for thepontiff aftervotingin favour of gay marriage. He talks to Lorraine Wylie about performing at Croke Park, his wife Majella’s health battle, and how the couple love spending time with their grandchildren
The Pope’s visit to Ireland was always going to be controversial but no one expected Daniel O’Donnell, Donegal’s favourite crooner, to get caught in the hullabaloo. Back in July James Kilbane, who was the 2004 runner-up in You’re A Star, Ireland’s answer to The X Factor, challenged the decision to include O’Donnell in what promised be the biggest gig in town.
The devout Catholic reckoned that the singer’s support of a ‘Yes’ vote in the Republic’s gay marriage referendum was in direct opposition to the Church. Kilbane’s statement was met with cries of “daft” and “ridiculous” from Daniel’s biggest fan, his wife Majella. But what did Daniel make of the shenanigans? So far he hasn’t commented, although despite a punishing schedule, he took time to tell me about his “joy” at singing for the Pope and what it means to be Catholic in today’s Ireland.
“It was wonderful,” he says, sounding slightly starstruck. “From the run-up to the actual show, then the arrival of the Pope into the arena, it was just unbelievable. I sang Let Your Love Flow and, you know, to be on the stage and look down and see the Pope sitting in front of you — for a Catholic, that’s an amazing experience.”
Did he get to meet him?
“No, I didn’t. But I didn’t expect to. Just to be there, in his presence, soaking up the atmosphere, was enough. I’ve never had the privilege of singing for him before and it really was the experience of a lifetime.”
Today the Republic is a very different place to the one Pope John Paul II visited in 1979. After decades of scandal the Catholic Church is no longer an authority on morality. Considering the changes, I asked Daniel whether he thinks the Church is still relevant in modern Ireland.
“I suppose to some it is,” he says, pondering the question. “There’s always going to be those for whom faith and the Church is very important. But yes, I agree because there’s no point in saying otherwise, the numbers have fallen. I see it myself, all over Ireland chapels are empty. It’s very hard to say what’ll happen in the future.”
It’s a far cry from the old days when skipping Mass wasn’t an option.
“Yes, growing up, in my time you went to Mass because you had to. I mean you’d no choice, you couldn’t miss it. But then it wasn’t until I started to travel and found myself looking for somewhere to worship that I realised faith was very important to me personally. But, you know, I’m not somebody that looks down on people who don’t have a religion. You can’t judge people for their different beliefs or even the lack of them.”
Does he find the current attitude to religion depressing?
“I suppose you have to look at the positives. Those who continue to go to church certainly have a tremendous faith. Nowadays, they aren’t going be- cause they’re forced to go, they’re going because they want to. To be honest, I noticed a lot of young people at Croke Park and there was a great vibrancy, a much more positive attitude. It was heart-warming to see such diversity coming together.”
Ever since he personally funded, recorded and promoted his debut single My Donegal Shore in 1983, O’Donnell has carved his niche in the entertainment industry. His style of music may not be to everyone’s taste but for those who love him, ‘wee Daniel’ can do no wrong.
Does he ever find the attention intrusive or annoying?
“No, to be honest, it really doesn’t bother me. You get used to it. I mean, you can’t be doing what I do and be on television and not expect attention. You can’t have it both ways. It would be worse if nobody bothered.”
There’s no doubt Daniel O’Donnell fans are a rare breed, following him down through the decades and around the world. So, what’s the secret of his success?
“I think it’s because I’ve always been very accessible to my fans,” he ponders.
“After a concert I like to wait and meet the people just to say hello. Even if I’m out and about fans might come up and ask for a picture, and that’s okay with me.”
Backstage ‘meet and greet’ sessions are one thing, but inviting strangers to garden parties at your home takes schmooze to a whole new level.
“The last party was in 2000, we had to stop them altogether. You see, the whole purpose of the garden parties was so I could meet the people,” he explains. “But they outgrew their purpose and in the end there were so many turning up that I was only meeting a fraction of them.”
With his soft, gooey charm, you begin to wonder if, as many believe, the singer really is up there with the saints or whether he ever loses his cool. However, back in January this year, when O’Donnell appeared on an RTE home makeover show, his easy going persona slipped when faced with an enormous bill for renovation work.
“I did blow a gasket,” he agrees. He also admitted to feeling “annoyed” and worried that “viewers might not think me quite as placid”.
A shrewd businessman, O’Donnell has never been afraid to diversify. Over the years he’s kept his name in the spotlight with a variety of ventures, including strutting his stuff on Strictly Come Dancing and a television show where he and Majella sampled some of Ireland’s best B&Bs.
Hopefully, any renovations planned with RTE’s home makeover project will be completed in time for Christmas.
“Oh, I love Christmas,” he gushes. “We plan on being at home so we’re really looking forward to it.”
Majella has two children, Siobhan and Michael, from her previous marriage. “Siobhan and Gavin, with their two children, will be there and Michael and his girlfriend will be coming over from Australia, so it’ll be great for us all to be together,” says Daniel.
The mention of his grandchildren seems to shift the warm and fuzzy feeling up a gear.
“Oh, I just love them,” he says. “You know the wee girl is coming three, wee Olivia, she’d just break your heart. The wee boy, Archie, he’s four months and a lovely baby.
“Majella and me babysit them a lot. Last time we had the wee girl while Archie went up to his other grandparents in Banbridge.
“You know, that’s a big part of the joy that being married has brought me because Siobhan and Michael came along with Majella and now Siobhan has given us the grandchil-
❝ You can’t be on TV and not expect attention. You can’t have it both ways. It’d be worse if nobody bothered
dren. I just thank God for them all,” the singer adds.
Daniel has enjoyed a lot of happiness in his life but he’s also known his fair share of heartache. One of the most frightening experiences was Majella’s cancer diagnosis in 2013.
How is she now, I ask. “Thank God, she’s doing well,” he says. “It was a difficult time but now she’s good. In fact, she’s five years cancer-free. Physically she’s doing well and her mental health is good too. I’m so thankful we’ve come through it.”
Now, as conversation swings back to the Christmas season, he tells me how much he’s looking forward to reuniting with his fans here.
“You know, down through the years, from the Chimney Corner to Ulster Hall and the Waterfront, we’ve always had a great welcome in Northern Ireland. My mother worked in Derry when she was young so she had a lot of friends there. We used to come up for a visit and we’d stay with a Mrs McClintock in her house in Westland Street. I can still remember going to the playground, although I can’t recall its name, but I can still picture the wee see-saw, the roundabout and the swings. It was such a happy time for me.
“You know, I love performing in Northern Ireland because the great beauty about music is there is no division.”
Like or loathe O’Donnell’s music, his concern and respect for those who buy his albums and turn up at his concerts sounds sincere.
“I have a great relationship with my fans,” he says. “They’re the most loyal in the world and I really appreciate them.”
As the interview draws to a close, I ask him to tell me something about Daniel O’Donnell nobody knows.
“God no, I don’t think I can do that,” he laughs out loud.