About Daniel O'Donnell
By Eddie Dawson
May 22, 2004

 

Daniel O'Donnell And Eddie Dawson

Daniel O'Donnell

Name: Daniel Francis Noel O Donnell
Date Of Birth: 12th. December 1961
Place Of Birth: Dungloe, Co Donegal, Ireland
Mother: Julia O Donnell (nee McGonagle)
Father: Francis O Donnell
Brothers And Sisters: John, Margaret (Margo), Kathleen and James
Colour of Eyes: Blueish Green
Colour of Hair: Brown
Height: 5ft 10in
Marital Status: Married to Majella

Daniel O'Donnell was born on the December 12, 1961 in Dungloe Co. Donegal.  He is one of a family of five, two brothers and two sisters.

He was educated in Kincasslagh National School, Dungloe Secondary School and Galway Regional College.

Daniel started his working life washing dishes in Dublin's Centeral Hotel.

His introduction to singing came with his sister's Margo Band in Belmullet Co. Mayo.

In 1981 he joined Margo's Band as a guitar player where he shared the singing with his older sister.

After struggling for five years to become a successful singer, Daniel O'Donnell finally got his big break when he was signed up by Ritz Records.

February 1983 saw Daniel record his first song, 'My Donegal Shores' and as he says himself the rest is history.

To date he has recorded 29 Albums 14 Video's and 5 DVD's and has been Ireland's No.1 entertainer for over 20 years. He and his band have toured England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand  and America. He is now concentrating on the American market.

Among his many achievements and awards Daniel was conferred with an Honorary M.B.E in the Queen's New Year's honours list in 2002

Monday November 4th 2002 Daniel married Majella McLennan in his home village of Kincasslagh with the reception in the Holiday Inn Hotel Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Daniel & Majella O'Donnell on stage

In his spare time he likes to play golf and a card game called whist.

Daniel released two albums in 2003 "Daniel in Blue Jeans" which went to No.3 in the British Album Charts and "At the End Of The Day" which went to the No.11 slot.  November 2003 saw Daniel's new DVD go to the Number 1 spot in the English Charts ahead of people like Cliff Richard, Westlife and Queen.

March 2004 saw Daniel's latest album The Jukebox Years go straight into the British Charts at the No.3 slot only beaten by Katie Melua at No.1 and Norah Jones at No. 2.

March 2005 saw Daniel's new DVD Showtime which includes highlights of his American tour go straight to No. 1 in the Music Charts in England.

Daniel is currently recording his new album  "Teenage Dreams" due for release on the 19th.September 2005.

Daniel's latest DVD "The Rock'n'Roll Show" was No. 1 in U.K Charts in November 05 and managed to knock Irish boyband Westlife from the top slot.

His new album "From Daniel With Love" is due for release on Monady 23 rd. January 06. The album contains 20 of his greatest performances about love and romance including "Wonderful Tonight", "For The Good Times" "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "You Raise Me Up" the latter Daniel had a hit with in 2003 and also includes four new previously unreleased tracks.
One week after the album was released it reached No.5 in the British Album charts.

Daniel's summer tour 2006 takes in counties Donegal ,Cavan, Louth, Westmeath, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Mayo, Derry, as well as dates in Scotland, England, Wales, Austrilia, New Zeland, Canada and the U.S.A where Daniel has a hugh following.

On September 11th. Daniel releases his fist single in two years "Crush On You"  which went straight in to the U.K. charts at No. 21 and on the 2nd. October he releases his new album "Until The Next Time" all the tracks have been written by Daniel and his friends Sean O'Farrell and  Mark Roberts this album also entered the British charts at No 10.

Daniel's new DVD the Best Of Daniel O'Donnell On Film went straight into the number 1 spot in the U.K. Music charts and has now gone platinum. In doing so he beat of the likes of Take That, Rod Stuart & Status Quo.The DVD  includes songs from Daniel's early career in 1986 to his latest album Untill The Next Time released in 2006.

Daniel O'Donnell

Mary Duff

2007 Daniel has released two albums todate Can You Feel The Love (Double CD) and Together Again a duet with his singing partner Mary Duff which went to Number 6 in the U.K. charts in November. Daniel also releases his new DVD on the 12th. November also called Can You Feel The Love.

Yet another Gold Disc presentation to Daniel and also Mary on this occasion. Last year's "Together Again" album was hugely successful, reached No.6 in the UK album charts and proved again that there is room for good music in the Top Ten.
The UK Gold Disc presentation was made at the Birmingham NIA by popular Midlands DJ and friend of Daniel's, Bob Brolly, during Daniel's recent tour. Bob feels a very personal connection to the album, because it was live on his special Children In Need radio show last October that Daniel & Mary launched the album. May there be many more such presentations in the future.

Daniel's new album is almost finished and due for release in October 2008. As all the tracklisting are not yet available below are some of the numbers expected to be on it.
Little Old Wine Drinker Me; Heartaches By The Number; Lucille; Back Home Again; King Of The Road; Please Release Me; Me And Bobby McGee.

The Daniel O'Donnell Band John Staunton, Ray McLaughlin, Billy Burgoyne, Tony Murray, DanielO'Donnell, Ronnie Kennedy, Kevin Sheeran and Steven Milne

    

Daniel's new DVD went straight in to the UK DVD Music Charts at No. 1. Again history shows that this is Daniel's sixth consecutive No.1 DVD, which is truly amazing. The DVD, "At Home in Ireland", was shot last year at the concert in Letterkenny, in Daniel's home county of Donegal. It features not only the songs from the concert, but also some footage filmed on location in Ireland, hence the title. The DVD contains 25 songs altogether, including one of Daniel's big hits from last year, "Save Your Love". 

The top 6 DVD In the charts 16-11-2008 
No.1 - Daniel O'Donnell - At Home In Ireland
No.2 - Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus - Best Of Both Worlds Concert
No.3 - Bussell & Jenkins - Viva La Diva
No.4 - Rolling Stones - Shine A Light
No.5 - Girls Aload - Tangled Up
No.6 - Arctic Monkeys - At The Apollo   

26th. October 2009 Daniel release his new gosple album "Peace In The Valley" and on the first week of release it went into the British Charts at No. 8 . On November 9th. he brings out his new DVD "Hope & Praise". Daniel is joined by his band, Mary Duff, an ochestra and two choirs for this emotuonall uplifting spectacular event, recorded in Branson and featuring 25 inspirational favourites.
This DVD was filmed on tour in the U.S.A.

Daniels DVD "Hope and Praise" entered the British Charts at No. 4 on the the week of it's release 10-11-2009

1. Cliff Richard and The Shadows - The Final Reunion
2. Killers - Live From The Albert Hall
3. JLS - The Videos
4. Daniel O'Donnell - Hope & Praise
5. Michael Jackson - Moonwalker

Daniel's Albums To Date

                   1984         The Boy From Donegal.
                   1985         The Two Sides Of Daniel O'Donnell.
                   1987         I Need You.
                   1987         Don't Forget to Remember.
                   1988         From The Heart.
                   1989         Thoughts Of Home.
                   1990         The Last Waltz.
                   1990         Favourites.
                   1991         The Very Best Of Daniel O'Donnell.
                   1992         Follow Your Dream.
                   1993         A Date With Daniel O'Donnell Live.
                   1994         Especially For You.
                   1994         Christmas With Daniel.
                   1995         The Classic Collection.
                   1996         Timeless Daniel O'Donnell & Mary Duff.
                   1996         Irish Collection.
                   1996         Songs Of Inspiration.
                   1997         I Believe.
                   1998         Love Songs.
                   1998         Live In Concert.
                   1999         Daniel O'Donnell Greatest Hits.
                   2000         Faith And Inspiration
                   2000         Heartbreakers.
                   2001         Live, Laugh, Love.
                   2002         The Irish Album.
                   2002         Dreaming.
                   2002         Yesterdays Memories.
                   2003         At The End Of The Day.
                   2003         Daniel In Blue Jeans.
                   2004         The Jukebox Years.
                   2004         Welcome To My World.
                   2005         Teenage Dreams.
                   2006         From Daniel With Love
                   2006         Until The Next Time
                   2006         Early Memories
                   2007         Can You Feel the Love  (Double CD)
                   2007         Together Again Daniel & Mary Duff
                   2008         Through The Years (4 CD Set)
                   2008         Country Boy
                   2009         Hope And Praise
                   2009         Peace In The Valley

Daniel's D.V.D. To Date

                                  Follow Your Dreams/Thoughts Of Home.
                           The Classic Live Concert/TV Show Favourites
                           An Evening With Daniel O'Donnell/Just For You
                           Songs Of Faith.
                           The Gospal Show.
                           The Daniel O'Donnell Show.
                           Peaceful Waters.
                           Shades Of Green.
                           Showtime Daniel's American Shows
                           The Rock 'n' Roll Show       
                           The Best Of Daniel O'Donnell On Film
                           Can You Feel The Love
                           At Home In Ireland
                           Give A Little Love Daniel O'Donnell & Mary Duff
                           Daniel O'Donnell & Friends
                           Hope And Praise

A very young Daniel O'Donnell

 

Back Left To Right Daniel, James, John Fronth Row Margo, Julia (Mother) Kathleen

Go to Top of Page - Email this article

Copyright © EddieDawson.com 2005, All Rights Reserved -  Website designed by eirsite.com