Margo ‘Life & Times’ – Hot Country TV Ireland
In this special eight-minute segment of Hot Country TV Ireland, veteran broadcaster Hugh O’Brien sits down with Margo, one of the most enduring figures in Country & Irish music, for an intimate conversation as part of the Life & Times series. The interview takes viewers on a journey through Margo’s remarkable career, her personal milestones, and her enduring love for the music that has defined her life for more than five decades.
From her early days singing with the popular 1960s showband The Keynotes, Margo recalls the excitement of performing to live audiences night after night, as well as the life-changing decision to branch out and form her own band. She reflects on recording her very first single — a moment forever intertwined with the heartbreak of her father’s passing, an event that left a deep emotional imprint on her music and career path.
Margo also speaks candidly about the challenges and triumphs of sustaining a career in music for over half a century. She touches on standout albums, the evolution of her style, and the unforgettable experiences of sharing stages with international stars like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. In her warm, familiar voice, she reflects on the publication of her 2015 memoir, Queen of Country & Irish: The Promise and the Dream, which offered fans a deeply personal glimpse into the highs and lows of her life in the spotlight.
The conversation naturally turns to family, particularly her close relationship with her youngest brother, Daniel O’Donnell. Margo shares how they have supported each other’s careers from the beginning, celebrating one another’s successes and offering comfort during life’s tougher moments.
Viewers also gain insight into Margo’s deep ties to her home county of Donegal, where she has become not just a musical icon but a community figure. She was named Donegal Person of the Year in 2007 and has been active in local causes, including efforts to help find missing girl Mary Boyle. Through her music and community work, she continues to champion the culture and spirit of her native region.
In this short but heartfelt interview, Margo – Life & Times captures not only the voice and talent of a beloved performer but also the resilience, generosity, and grounded nature of a woman who has devoted her life to her art, her family, and her community.