DANIEL O’DONNELL ON 40 YEARS OF SINGING, GOING ON TOUR & RELEASING A GREATEST HITS ALBUM — “I STILL LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT”
After four decades in music, Daniel O’Donnell remains one of the most beloved and enduring voices in the world of country and Irish folk. Now celebrating 40 years of performing, the Donegal-born star is reflecting on his incredible journey — from his humble beginnings in Kincasslagh to sold-out tours around the world — and looking ahead to an exciting new chapter with the release of his Greatest Hits Album and another major tour.
Sitting down for a recent interview, Daniel smiled as he looked back on the moment it all began. “I never imagined when I started out in 1983 that I’d still be doing this 40 years later,” he said. “Back then, all I wanted was to make a record, maybe sing a few songs, and see where it would take me. I had no idea it would lead to a lifetime of music and friendship with so many people.”
Over the years, Daniel has released more than 40 albums, sold millions of records worldwide, and performed on some of the most prestigious stages across Ireland, the UK, North America, and Australia. But ask him what he’s proudest of, and his answer is simple: “the connection with people.”
“I’ve always said that the greatest gift of music is the way it brings people together,” Daniel shared. “When someone tells me a song helped them through a hard time, or reminds them of a loved one, that’s when I know it’s all been worthwhile.”
The new Greatest Hits Album is a celebration of that connection — a carefully chosen collection of songs spanning his 40-year career, including fan favorites like “Stand Beside Me,” “I Just Want to Dance with You,” “Footsteps,” “Home to Donegal,” and “How Great Thou Art.” Daniel says putting the record together felt like “turning the pages of a musical diary.”
“Each song has a memory attached to it,” he said fondly. “Some take me back to the early days in small parish halls, others remind me of my first tours in America or the first time I played at the Royal Albert Hall. It’s a journey through time, really — and I wanted fans to feel that too.”
To mark the milestone, Daniel has also announced a new international tour that will see him performing across Ireland, the UK, Australia, and North America. “I’m really looking forward to getting back on the road,” he said enthusiastically. “There’s nothing like standing in front of an audience and seeing familiar faces, and new ones too. Every night is special — it’s a feeling I’ll never get tired of.”
Despite decades of fame, Daniel remains as humble and grounded as ever — something his fans deeply admire. “I still get nervous before a show,” he laughed. “But that’s a good thing. It means I still care. The excitement of walking out on stage, hearing that first cheer — it never goes away.”
His wife Majella O’Donnell continues to be his greatest support. The couple, who’ve been married for over two decades, often travel together on tour. “Majella keeps me balanced,” Daniel said warmly. “She’s been through everything with me — the highs, the lows, and all the moments in between. I couldn’t have done it without her.”
As he celebrates this remarkable milestone, Daniel says he feels grateful above all else — for the music, the memories, and the fans who have stood by him since the very beginning.
“I don’t take any of it for granted,” he said. “It’s been 40 years of songs, stories, and incredible people. I still love every minute of it — and as long as people keep listening, I’ll keep singing.”
With his Greatest Hits Album set for release and another tour on the horizon, Daniel O’Donnell’s legacy as one of Ireland’s most enduring and beloved performers is stronger than ever — proof that kindness, humility, and a song from the heart never go out of style.