Margo O’Donnell Inducted into Irish Country Music Hall of Fame as Daniel Pays Emotional Tribute Amid Family Loss
DUBLIN — It was an evening filled with both joy and sorrow as Irish country legend Margo O’Donnell was inducted into the Irish Country Music Hall of Fame during The Late Late Country Music Special. Presented with the award by her brother, Daniel O’Donnell, the 72-year-old singer was visibly moved, dedicating the honor to her late friend and fellow country star, Big Tom.
“I just want to dedicate this in memory of my friend, Big Tom,” Margo said tearfully, as applause filled the studio.
Daniel, who surprised his sister by making the presentation, spoke with deep pride. “It gives me great pleasure to be the one chosen to do this. Margaret was there at the beginning,” he said. “I am thrilled, and nobody deserves this more than you for all you have done for so many people.”
The ceremony came at the end of what Margo described as one of the most difficult years of her life. In February, her beloved sister Kathleen Doogan died suddenly, a loss that has shaken the entire O’Donnell family. “My family are very, very dear to me,” she explained to host Ryan Tubridy. “We just lost my only sister. She was four years younger than me. Everyone has been wonderful about it. But she died so suddenly and I am still asking why. So hold on tight, that’s what we’ve got to do. Family is just so, so important and I wish that I had just one more second with my sister Kathleen. That would be all I would ask.”
Reflecting on the tragedy, Margo admitted it had made her reevaluate what truly matters in life. “It made me reassess a lot of things — the stupid things that I used to think about that weren’t really important at all. What I have now of Kathleen is her children and her grandchild, and that keeps her spirit alive.”
Daniel also acknowledged the shock. “It was a terrible shock to us, but I suppose in time we will heal like so many families who have to face the same thing as we are facing. But it was just the suddenness of it.”
After receiving the honor, Margo returned to the stage to perform alongside several other Irish country stars, closing out the night in emotional style.
The program, which marked the final Country Special hosted by Ryan Tubridy, also featured performances from Claudia Buckley, Trudi Lalor, Derek Ryan, Philomena Begley, Nathan Carter and Cliona Hagan. One of the evening’s highlights was former Late Late Toy Show star Caillin Joe delivering a moving rendition of a Glen Campbell classic, while teenager Jessica Shine was crowned the show’s “Unexpected Country Star.”
Another milestone came with the unveiling of An Post’s first-ever Irish country music stamps, honoring Daniel O’Donnell, Philomena Begley, Cliona Hagan, Nathan Carter, and the late Big Tom. Designed in the style of vintage country posters, the stamps recognize the cultural impact of Ireland’s most beloved performers.
Daniel expressed his astonishment at being included: “When I was on a concert tour of North America last year and sending out some letters, I was using stamps with Elvis on them. I never imagined my face being on a postage stamp in Ireland. It’s beyond comprehension that this has also happened for me. I congratulate all the other stars featured on the stamps and also express my gratitude to An Post for honoring Irish country music in this way.”
Philomena Begley, often referred to as the Queen of Country in Ireland, was equally humbled. “I thought only national heroes, world leaders, famous film stars, inventors, and others of importance ended up on stamps. I wouldn’t have imagined the likes of me being on a stamp with all those famous people. But then I suppose maybe a Country Queen is no exception either!”
For Margo, however, the Hall of Fame induction stood out as a crowning moment in her decades-long career. Having begun as a teenager with the showband The Keynotes before carving out a successful solo path, she has long been celebrated as one of the pioneering women of Irish country music. To receive the honor from her brother, while remembering her late sister, added layers of poignancy.
As Tubridy closed the special, he reflected on the impact of country music in Ireland. “It all started out when I kept seeing posters of gigs of different country stars, and it was a world that brought people together,” he said. “I will miss seeing everybody on an annual basis, but it has been my privilege to be part of this family.”
For the O’Donnell family, it was a night of celebration shadowed by grief — but above all, a reminder of the lasting bonds of music, memory, and family.