Spotlight on Daniel O’Donnell

Irish singing legend Daniel O’Donnell talks to Metropol editor Lynda Papesch, ahead of his February visit to Christchurch.

In his first international tour since 2017, Daniel O’Donnell will take centre-stage on 27 February, at the Christchurch Town Hall.
A regular on the touring circuit for more than 40 years, Daniel is known for his engaging stage presence, and for scoring a hit in the UK album charts every year since 1988; an unprecedented and unbroken 35-year span.

The recipient of an Honorary MBE for services to the music industry and charity, he released his latest album How Lucky I Must Be, earlier in November, having already sold more than 10 million previous albums.

Touring has been an important part of his life. “I love the opportunity to sing live, there’s nothing comparable to it, and also the opportunity to meet people. I think no matter what I would have done in life, to meet people would have been the most important thing, and this has given me the ultimate opportunity of meeting people.”

His fan demographic is usually “a more mature audience”, although as the years have passed, he has noticed a lot of younger people coming to his shows, especially in Ireland.

“There may be three, or sometimes four generations at a show, from children to to people in their 80s.”

His song choices have broadened during the past four decades, although Daniel still sings many of the songs he sang in the beginning. “I do a lot of different types of music, rock n’ roll, inspirational music, Irish ballads, and country music.

“I absolutely love country music,” he says, admitting to also enjoying music by Ed Sheeran, Westlife, and Adele.

As for his favourite songs, the line-up includes My Donegal Shore, I Want To Dance With You, I Need You, Down At The Lah De Dah, and Tipperary Girl.

When not singing, he’s partial to a game of bridge (playing 3-4 times a week), and a round or two of golf.