“WE WERE RAVING AND THEN DANIEL KISSED ME”: Majella O’Donnell Opens Up About the Moment That Changed Her Life
Donegal, Ireland — In a rare and candid interview, Majella O’Donnell has shared the heartwarming story of how she first met — and fell in love with — her husband, Irish music legend Daniel O’Donnell. With her trademark humor and honesty, Majella recalled the unexpected spark that began what would become one of Ireland’s most beloved love stories.
Speaking in a recent magazine interview, Majella laughed as she remembered their first encounter at a friend’s house party many years ago. “We were raving — yes, actually raving — and then Daniel kissed me!” she said, smiling at the memory. “I think that surprised both of us. It wasn’t planned, but it felt right in the moment. That was the start of everything.”
At the time, Daniel was already a household name in Ireland and the UK, adored for his gentle personality and heartfelt songs. Majella, however, wasn’t starstruck. “To be honest, I didn’t know much about his music,” she admitted. “I just knew he was kind, genuine, and very funny. We connected straight away.”
Their romance blossomed quickly, built on mutual respect, laughter, and faith. The pair married in 2002, and over the past two decades, they’ve become one of Ireland’s favorite couples — admired not just for their love story, but for their honesty about the challenges they’ve faced together.
Majella has spoken openly about her struggles with depression and her battle with breast cancer, both of which brought the couple closer. “Daniel was incredible,” she said. “He’s the calm in my storm — always steady, always patient. When I went through cancer, he never left my side. That’s when you really see love for what it is.”
She also revealed that despite their fame, they live a simple and grounded life in Donegal, surrounded by family and community. “People think we live this glamorous celebrity life, but we’re just normal. We love being at home, cooking dinner, watching TV, or spending time with the grandkids. That’s happiness for us.”
Majella’s sense of humor has long been part of her charm, and she often teases Daniel about his perfectionist streak. “He’s so tidy,” she joked. “I’ll leave something down for five minutes and it’s gone — he’s put it away already! But that’s Daniel — organized, gentle, and thoughtful.”
Reflecting on their marriage, Majella said the secret to their enduring relationship is simple: kindness and laughter. “We laugh a lot,” she said. “Even when life is hard, we find something to smile about. That’s what keeps us strong.”
As she looked back on that fateful first kiss — the one that began it all — Majella smiled fondly. “I never imagined that night would change my life,” she said softly. “But it did. It’s funny how love just sneaks up on you when you’re not looking. And when it’s right, it stays.”
For fans who have followed their journey, the O’Donnells’ story remains a reminder that even in the world of fame and music, the truest love stories are often the simplest — two people who found each other, held on through life’s storms, and still laugh together after all these years.