Daniel O’Donnell to Step Back from Touring in 2026 to “Recharge Batteries” After Chest Issues
Irish country music legend Daniel O’Donnell has confirmed he will take an extended break from touring at the end of 2025, citing ongoing chest issues that have been exacerbated by his demanding schedule. The announcement has reassured fans that while he is slowing down, he is not retiring, but rather choosing to prioritize his health and well-being after more than four decades on the road.
The Donegal-born singer, who turned 63 this month, revealed that the decision was motivated by a need to “recharge his batteries” following years of constant travel and performance commitments. Despite health concerns, Daniel stressed that he remains in good condition overall and intends to fulfill all concerts scheduled for the remainder of 2025 across Ireland, the UK, and America.
“I’ve been fine doing the recent shows and I intend to complete all the shows that are currently booked up to the end of this year,” Daniel told the Sunday World. “I’m looking forward to them, but I just felt that I needed to take a break and recharge my batteries after this year. Because we’re doing shows for the rest of 2025 in Ireland, the UK, and America, I decided to make the announcement now so that if people want to get out to see a show before I take the break, they are getting enough notice.”
Health Concerns “Made Worse by Singing”
The beloved entertainer explained that his chest problems have persisted for several years. While they do not interfere with his daily life, they become more problematic in the context of performing.
“For the past number of years, I’ve had frequent chest issues, which wouldn’t have bothered me if I wasn’t singing,” Daniel said. “Loads of people have what I have and it doesn’t bother them one bit. I function absolutely perfectly with the issues as well and I’m otherwise in perfect health. But because I’m singing it’s more difficult with those problems.”
He emphasized that his decision is not due to any major illness, but simply the toll of continuous touring. “I haven’t made this decision because of ill-health or anything,” he clarified. “It’s because I just feel that the continuous touring is not suiting me now and I need to figure out what to do.”
No Plans to Retire
The star, who will celebrate his 45th anniversary in music in January 2026, was quick to assure fans that he has no intention of stepping away from the stage entirely. Instead, he plans to reflect on his career and explore new ways to perform that suit his current pace of life.
“People are asking me all the time, ‘Are you ever going to retire?’” Daniel admitted. “I would say, ‘Well, I’m going to slow down’… and I did slow down, but just not enough. I started two weeks ago on this tour and this is the 11th show today, and that’s too much. I find that performing night after night after night is not suiting me now. After this year I’ll figure out what works best for me doing the shows. But I’m certainly not retiring.”
A Career Built on Connection
Since first taking the stage with his sister Margo O’Donnell’s band in 1981, Daniel has become one of Ireland’s most enduring entertainers, with a different album in the UK charts every year for 37 consecutive years, a record unmatched by any artist. His warm personality and loyalty to fans — often staying for hours after concerts to sign autographs — have made him not only a performer but also a cherished figure in Irish culture.
While the news of his touring break has sparked concern, fans have expressed relief that Daniel is choosing to prioritize his health while leaving the door open for future performances. As he prepares to complete a busy slate of shows through the end of 2025, his message to audiences remains clear: the music will go on, but at a gentler pace.