Daniel O’Donnell Prepares for Emotional “Last Irish Tour” with Wife Majella by His Side
DONEGAL, Ireland — Daniel O’Donnell, one of Ireland’s most cherished and enduring musical icons, is preparing to embark on what may be the most emotional journey of his four-decade career: the “Last Irish Tour,” beginning in late 2025 and now extended into 2026 due to overwhelming demand. Joined by his wife Majella O’Donnell, the tour is expected to be a heartfelt tribute to the people, places, and memories that shaped his extraordinary life in music.
For O’Donnell, now 62 and with more than 15 million records sold worldwide, this farewell tour across Ireland is far more than a string of performances. It is a return to his roots — to parish halls, to quiet villages, to the fans who supported him long before he ever stepped onto the stages of London’s Royal Albert Hall or New York’s Carnegie Hall. It is, in his own words, “a chance to give back a little of what Ireland has given me.”
“This isn’t goodbye to music,” O’Donnell shared in a recent interview, “but it is a way of marking just how much the people of Ireland have meant to me. Every step of my journey — every stage, every song — has been shaped by the love and loyalty of those who followed me from the very beginning.”
The presence of Majella is expected to add a deeply personal dimension to the tour. Married for more than 20 years, the couple has weathered both triumphs and heartbreaks, including Majella’s courageous public battle with breast cancer in 2013. Their resilience and devotion have made them one of Ireland’s most admired couples, and fans say seeing them together on this farewell tour will only heighten the emotional weight of the concerts.
Setlists will blend beloved classics — “Stand Beside Me,” “My Donegal Shore,” “I Just Want to Dance With You,” and many more — with newer material. True to Daniel’s warm and intimate performance style, each show will include personal reflections on his upbringing in Kincasslagh, his family, and the moments that shaped his path from small-town singer to internationally celebrated star.
Fans have responded to the announcement with an outpouring of emotion. Social media has been flooded with tributes, memories, and expressions of gratitude. One longtime supporter wrote: “Daniel has been the soundtrack to my life for over 30 years. To see him on his last Irish tour will mean everything.” Another shared: “His voice feels like home. I’ll be there no matter what.”
Industry observers note that while Daniel has stepped back from touring before — most notably in 2014 to support Majella during her treatment and again in 2012 after celebrating 30 years in music — this time feels more definitive. At this stage of his career, returning to Ireland for a farewell tour holds a symbolism that fans immediately understood.
Demand for tickets has been staggering. Promoters have already confirmed near-capacity interest in major cities including Dublin, Belfast, Cork, and Galway, with smaller rural venues preparing to welcome crowds that far exceed typical audience numbers. Many fans view this as possibly the last opportunity to see Daniel perform in an extensive Irish tour, especially one crafted with such personal meaning.
Despite the emotional nature of the tour, O’Donnell remains grounded in gratitude. “At the end of the day,” he said, “it all comes back to the people. The music has always been my gift to them, but the love they’ve shown me — that’s the greatest gift I’ve ever received.”
With Majella beside him and Ireland waiting with open arms, the “Last Irish Tour” promises to be a beautifully moving celebration of music, memory, and the bond between an artist and the country that made him who he is. And while the concerts may come to an end, one thing is certain:
The connection between Daniel O’Donnell and his audience will never fade.