Daniel O'Donnell (Irish singer)
Encyclopedia
Daniel Francis Noel O'Donnell (born 12 December 1961) is an Irish
singer, television presenter and philanthropist
. O'Donnell came to public attention in 1983 and has since become a household name in Ireland and the UK. He has also had considerable success in the US
. He is known for his close relationship with his fanbase, and his charismatic and engaging stage presence. His music has been described as a mix of country
and Irish folk, and he has sold over ten million records to date.
, in the Rosses region of County Donegal
. He grew up as the youngest of a Roman Catholic family, with his parents Julia (née McGonagle born 1919) and Francis O'Donnell and his siblings: John (the eldest), Margaret (Margo
), Kathleen, and James. He has described his upbringing as mostly happy, with the exception of the death of his father after a heart attack
when O'Donnell was just six years old.
During his school years, O'Donnell considered pursuing a career in bank
ing. Despite this, a career in music was also always a possibility. As a youngster O'Donnell performed in the local religious choir
. In 1980, he went to Galway
to purusue Business Studies
, however, he never settled down and by Christmas
he was in his sister Margo
's band. Margo had already forged a successful career in Ireland.
's "My Donegal Shore", with £
1,200 of his own money, selling all the copies himself. Later that year, he formed his own musical group, Country Fever. After the group disbanded, he formed The Grassroots. In 1985, the manager of the Ritz label, Mick Clerkin, saw him perform, and introduced him to Sean Reilly, who remains as his manager to this day.
Under the management of Reilly, O'Donnell started to sell concerts out in England
on a regular basis. According to O'Donnell, by January, 1992, he had hit rock bottom with exhaustion. After a three month recovery break, he returned to the stage, this time at the Point Theatre
, Dublin.
and Great Britain
. He appeared on popular television shows in both countries, and won various awards. Among the accolades, O'Donnell was named Donegal Person of the Year in 1989, which he still rates as the best award. He was given the Irish Entertainer of the Year award in 1989, 1992 and 1996. O'Donnell's first chart hit single in the UK
was in 1992 with "I Just Want to Dance With You" (later covered by George Strait
). This also led to his first ever appearance on Top of the Pops
.
During his lengthy career, O'Donnell has made friends with his childhood idols, including Cliff Richard
and Loretta Lynn
. He also forged a close professional relationship with the Irish
songstress Mary Duff
, who regularly tours with O'Donnell.
for his services to the music industry. He has had twenty UK Top 40 albums as well as fifteen Top 40 singles and has sold 10 million records to date. O'Donnell garnered considerable success in North America
, when he starred in seven concert specials on public television stations (PBS) in the US. He has charted 18 albums in the Top 20 of the US Billboard
s World Music Album Chart and also has had several entries in the Independent Albums Chart too.
In 2011, O'Donnell became the first artist to have an album in the UK charts for 24 consecutive weeks.
from Thurles
, whom he met on holiday in Tenerife
three years previously. McLennan was married before, although McLennan's previous marriage, by which she has two children, had been annulled
by the Catholic Church. The couple now live together in Meenbanad, County Donegal
and also spend time at their second home in Tenerife
. Daniel is proficient in the Irish language
and even presented a show for the Irish broadcaster TG4
wholly in Irish.
O'Donnell is arguably better known for his gentle, soft-spoken personality and clean cut image, than for his music. Over the years he has attracted media attention and there have been many cultural references to the performer. He was parodied as celebrity singer Eoin McLove in the Father Ted
episode "Night of the Nearly Dead
," as well as an episode of BBC
sketch-show Chewin' the Fat
, as an Irish singer named Donald O'Daniel. O'Donnell is frequently satirised in Irish
comedy because of a common supposition that his audience consists mainly of older rural women. The comedy show Bull Island
and the radio sketch segment "Gift Grub" portrayed him in sketches frequently singing about his "mammy". BBC Radio 1
DJ Chris Moyles
has parodied O'Donnell on numerous occasions.
O'Donnell is known for his close relationship with his fans and has a meet-and-greet session after almost every concert. He hosts a huge tea party for his fans outside his Donegal
home every year. He has expressed a wish to appear in Coronation Street
.
. He has championed the Romanian Challenge Appeal, a charity that helps orphaned Romanian children re-establish themselves within society. He was involved in urging Irish families to home these kids in Ireland for a period.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
singer, television presenter and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. O'Donnell came to public attention in 1983 and has since become a household name in Ireland and the UK. He has also had considerable success in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He is known for his close relationship with his fanbase, and his charismatic and engaging stage presence. His music has been described as a mix of country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and Irish folk, and he has sold over ten million records to date.
Background
O'Donnell was born and brought up in the village of KincasslaghKincasslagh
Cionn Caslach or Ceann Caslach is a small Gaeltacht seaside village in the Rosses area of County Donegal, Ireland...
, in the Rosses region of County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
. He grew up as the youngest of a Roman Catholic family, with his parents Julia (née McGonagle born 1919) and Francis O'Donnell and his siblings: John (the eldest), Margaret (Margo
Margo (music)
Margo is an Irish singer. She rose to prominence during the 1960s in the Irish country music scene and has had a successful career since.-Background:...
), Kathleen, and James. He has described his upbringing as mostly happy, with the exception of the death of his father after a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
when O'Donnell was just six years old.
During his school years, O'Donnell considered pursuing a career in bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
ing. Despite this, a career in music was also always a possibility. As a youngster O'Donnell performed in the local religious choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
. In 1980, he went to Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
to purusue Business Studies
Business studies
Business studies is an academic subject taught at higher level in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom, as well as at university level in many countries...
, however, he never settled down and by Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
he was in his sister Margo
Margo (music)
Margo is an Irish singer. She rose to prominence during the 1960s in the Irish country music scene and has had a successful career since.-Background:...
's band. Margo had already forged a successful career in Ireland.
Rise to fame
Not getting enough opportunities to perform solos with the band, in 1983 O'Donnell decided to record his own record. On 9 February 1983 he recorded his first single, Johnny McCauleyJohnny McCauley
Johnny McCauley is an Irish singer/songwriter. As a young adult he moved to London and in 1953 began singing professionally with his band, the Westernaires at the Galtymore Club, Cricklewood....
's "My Donegal Shore", with £
Irish pound
The Irish pound was the currency of Ireland until 2002. Its ISO 4217 code was IEP, and the usual notation was the prefix £...
1,200 of his own money, selling all the copies himself. Later that year, he formed his own musical group, Country Fever. After the group disbanded, he formed The Grassroots. In 1985, the manager of the Ritz label, Mick Clerkin, saw him perform, and introduced him to Sean Reilly, who remains as his manager to this day.
Under the management of Reilly, O'Donnell started to sell concerts out in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on a regular basis. According to O'Donnell, by January, 1992, he had hit rock bottom with exhaustion. After a three month recovery break, he returned to the stage, this time at the Point Theatre
Point Theatre
The Point Theatre was a concert and events venue in Ireland, that ran from 1988–2007, enjoyed by in excess of 2 million people. It was located on the North Wall Quay of the River Liffey, amongst the Dublin Docklands...
, Dublin.
Success
By the mid-1990s, O'Donnell had become a household name across IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. He appeared on popular television shows in both countries, and won various awards. Among the accolades, O'Donnell was named Donegal Person of the Year in 1989, which he still rates as the best award. He was given the Irish Entertainer of the Year award in 1989, 1992 and 1996. O'Donnell's first chart hit single in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
was in 1992 with "I Just Want to Dance With You" (later covered by George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
). This also led to his first ever appearance on Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
.
During his lengthy career, O'Donnell has made friends with his childhood idols, including Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
and Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter, author and philanthropist. Born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to a coal miner father, Lynn married at 13 years old, was a mother soon after, and moved to Washington with her husband, Oliver Lynn. Their marriage was sometimes tumultuous; he...
. He also forged a close professional relationship with the Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
songstress Mary Duff
Mary Duff
Mary Duff is an Irish singer. She is best known as Daniel O'Donnell's singing partner.-Personal life:Duff is married to her manager Paul McKenna...
, who regularly tours with O'Donnell.
2000–present
In 2002, he was awarded an Honorary (due to his Irish citizenship) MBEMBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
for his services to the music industry. He has had twenty UK Top 40 albums as well as fifteen Top 40 singles and has sold 10 million records to date. O'Donnell garnered considerable success in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, when he starred in seven concert specials on public television stations (PBS) in the US. He has charted 18 albums in the Top 20 of the US Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s World Music Album Chart and also has had several entries in the Independent Albums Chart too.
In 2011, O'Donnell became the first artist to have an album in the UK charts for 24 consecutive weeks.
Personal life
O'Donnell was married for the first time, aged 40, on 4 November 2002, to 41-year-old divorcée Majella McLennanMajella O'Donnell
Majella O'Donnell is a businesswoman, singer, reality television star and the wife of entertainer Daniel O'Donnell. She is a native of Thurles, County Tipperary....
from Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
, whom he met on holiday in Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
three years previously. McLennan was married before, although McLennan's previous marriage, by which she has two children, had been annulled
Annulment (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church an annulment is the procedure, governed by the Church's Canon Law and the Catechism, whereby an ecclesial tribunal determines the sacrament of marriage was invalidly entered into. An annulment determines the Catholic marriage to be void at its inception...
by the Catholic Church. The couple now live together in Meenbanad, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
and also spend time at their second home in Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
. Daniel is proficient in the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
and even presented a show for the Irish broadcaster TG4
TG4
TG4 is a public service broadcaster for Irish language speakers. The channel has been on-air since 31 October 1996 in the Republic of Ireland and since April 2005 in Northern Ireland....
wholly in Irish.
O'Donnell is arguably better known for his gentle, soft-spoken personality and clean cut image, than for his music. Over the years he has attracted media attention and there have been many cultural references to the performer. He was parodied as celebrity singer Eoin McLove in the Father Ted
Father Ted
Father Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
episode "Night of the Nearly Dead
Night of the Nearly Dead
"Night of the Nearly Dead" is the seventh episode of the third and final series of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. The episode's title and some of the scenes are a parody on the movie Night of the Living Dead.- Synopsis :...
," as well as an episode of BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sketch-show Chewin' the Fat
Chewin' the Fat
Chewin' the Fat is a Scottish comedy sketch show, starring Ford Kiernan, Greg Hemphill and Karen Dunbar. Comedians Paul Riley and Mark Cox also appeared regularly on the show.Chewin' the Fat first started as a radio series on BBC Radio Scotland...
, as an Irish singer named Donald O'Daniel. O'Donnell is frequently satirised in Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
comedy because of a common supposition that his audience consists mainly of older rural women. The comedy show Bull Island
Bull Island (TV show)
Bull Island was an Irish television and radio satirical comedy show broadcast on RTÉ One and later on RTÉ Radio 1 from 1999 until 2001.Featuring a cast of seven Irish comedians and impressionists, the show, which aired for half an hour weekly, satirised many aspects of Irish life.Bull Island was...
and the radio sketch segment "Gift Grub" portrayed him in sketches frequently singing about his "mammy". BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
DJ Chris Moyles
Chris Moyles
Christopher David Moyles is an English radio and television presenter and author, who currently presents The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 and Chris Moyles' Quiz Night on Channel 4....
has parodied O'Donnell on numerous occasions.
O'Donnell is known for his close relationship with his fans and has a meet-and-greet session after almost every concert. He hosts a huge tea party for his fans outside his Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
home every year. He has expressed a wish to appear in Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
.
Philanthropy
O'Donnell has been involved in many charitable causes for many years, most notably in RomaniaRomania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. He has championed the Romanian Challenge Appeal, a charity that helps orphaned Romanian children re-establish themselves within society. He was involved in urging Irish families to home these kids in Ireland for a period.
Albums
- The Boy From Donegal (1984)
- Two Sides OfTwo Sides OfTwo Sides Of is the second studio album released by Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell in 1985. It was with the release of this album that O'Donnell rose to prominence in Ireland, and led the way for him to be recognised in the UK...
(1985) - I Need You (1986)
- Don't Forget To Remember (1987)
- From The Heart (1988) #56 UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
- Thoughts Of Home (1989) #43 UK
- The Last Waltz (1990) #46 UK
- Favourites (1990) #61 UK
- The Very Best Of Daniel O'Donnell (1991) #34 UK
- Follow Your Dream (1992) #17 UK
- A Date With Daniel Live (1993) #21 UK
- Especially For You (1994) #14 UK
- Christmas With Daniel (1994) #34 UK
- The Classic Collection (1995) #34 UK
- Timeless: Daniel O'Donnell and Mary Duff (with Mary DuffMary DuffMary Duff is an Irish singer. She is best known as Daniel O'Donnell's singing partner.-Personal life:Duff is married to her manager Paul McKenna...
– 1996) #13 UK - Irish Collection (1996) #35 UK
- Songs Of Inspiration (1996) #11 UK
- I Believe (1997) #11 UK
- Love Songs (1998) #9 UK
- Greatest Hits (1999) #10 UK
- Faith and Inspiration (2000) #4 UK
- Heartbreakers (2000)
- Live, Laugh, Love (2001) #27 UK
- Yesterdays Memories (2002) #18 UK
- The Irish AlbumThe Irish AlbumThe Irish Album is a 2002 album of easy listening, gospel, and country music. The album was released by Irish artist Daniel O'Donnell, who hails from Donegal.-Track listing:# Pretty Little Girl From Omagh# The Isle of Innisfree# Sing An Old Irish Song...
(2002) - The Daniel O'Donnell Show (2002)
- Dreaming (2002)
- Songs of Faith (2003)
- Daniel In Blue Jeans (2003) #3 UK
- At The End Of The Day (2003) #11 UK
- The Jukebox Years (2004) #3 UK
- Welcome To My World (2004) #6 UK
- Teenage Dreams (2005) #10 UK
- The Rock' N' Roll Show (2006)
- From Daniel With Love (2006) #5 UK
- Until the Next Time (2006)
- Together AgainTogether Again (Daniel O'Donnell album)Together Again is an album released by Irish singers Daniel O'Donnell and Mary Duff in 2007-Track listing:# Together Again - 3:25# Top Of The World - 3:01# The Carnival Is Over - 3:20# My Happiness - 3:17# Are You Teasing Me - 2:50...
(with Mary Duff) (2007) #6 UK - Country BoyCountry Boy (Daniel O'Donnell album)Country Boy is the 28th studio album released by Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell in 2008. The album consists of covers of popular country songs, including duets with Charley Pride and Loretta Lynn.-Track listing:# I'm Going to be a Country Boy Again – 2:16...
(2008) #6 UK - Peace in the ValleyPeace in the Valley (Daniel O'Donnell album)Peace in the Valley is the 29th studio album released by Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell in 2009.-Track listing:# Peace in the Valley# Mansion over the Hilltop# Far Side Banks Of Jordan# On The Wings Of A Dove# If Jesus Comes Tomorrow, What Then...
(2009) #8 UK - O Holy Night (2010) #21 UK
- Moon Over IrelandMoon Over IrelandMoon Over Ireland is the 31st studio album released by Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell in 2011. It contains original songs and newly recorded versions of well-known Irish songs.-Track listing:# "Moon Over Ireland"# "Maggie"# "The Fields of Athenry"...
(2011) #9 UK - The Ultimate Collection (2011) #7 UK
Singles
- "I Just Wanna Dance With You" (1992) #20 UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
- "The Three Bells" (1993) #71 UK
- "The Love In Your Eyes" (1993) #47 UK
- "Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love" (1993) #21 UK
- "Singing The Blues" (1994) #23 UK
- "The Gift" (1994) #46 UK
- "Secret Love" (with Mary Duff – 1995) #28 UK
- "Timeless" (with Mary Duff – 1996) #32 UK
- "Footsteps" (1996) #25 UK
- "The Love Songs EP" (1997) #27 UK
- "Give A Little Love" (1998) #7 UK
- "The Magic Is There" (1998) #16 UK
- "The Way Dreams Are" (1999) #18 UK
- "Uno Mas" (1999) #25 UK
- "A Christmas Kiss" (1999) #20 UK
- "Light a Candle" (2000) #23 UK
- "Morning Has Broken" (2000) #32 UK
- "You Raise Me Up" (2003) #22 UK
- "Crush On You" (2006) #21 UK
- "Mother's Birthday Song" (2008 – Ireland-only)
- "Tipperary Girl" (2010)