Margo O’Donnell Admits She Hasn’t Spoken to Brother Daniel Since Their Mother’s Death: “Things Are Not Good There”
Donegal, Ireland — Irish country music legend Margo O’Donnell has revealed that she has not spoken to her younger brother, fellow entertainer Daniel O’Donnell, since the passing of their beloved mother, Julia O’Donnell, in 2014 — a painful estrangement that has saddened fans across Ireland and beyond.
In a recent candid interview, Margo — affectionately known as “The Queen of Country & Irish” — admitted that her relationship with Daniel has been strained for nearly a decade. “Things are not good there,” she said quietly. “It breaks my heart to say it, but we haven’t spoken since Mammy died. Sometimes families drift apart, and sometimes pride gets in the way. But I’ll always love him — he’s my brother.”
The admission came as a surprise to many, given how close the siblings once appeared to be. Margo, who played a pivotal role in launching Daniel’s career in the early 1980s, has long been credited as his earliest mentor and supporter. It was Margo who first encouraged him to sing, introduced him to promoters, and helped him record his first songs — the start of what would become one of Ireland’s most successful music careers.
But behind the scenes, their relationship seems to have frayed in the years following the death of their mother, Julia, who passed away peacefully at the age of 94 in Kincasslagh. Julia had been the emotional cornerstone of the O’Donnell family — a figure of deep faith and quiet strength who inspired both her children’s musical journeys.
“After Mammy died, something in the family just changed,” Margo reflected. “We all grieve differently, and sometimes grief separates people instead of bringing them together. I’ve tried to make peace with it in my heart, but it still hurts.”
Despite the distance, Margo made it clear that there is no bitterness in her heart — only sadness and hope for reconciliation. “I don’t have any anger toward Daniel,” she said. “I wish him nothing but happiness and success. We both came from the same home, from the same values. Someday, maybe we’ll find our way back to that again.”
Daniel O’Donnell, who remains one of Ireland’s most beloved entertainers, has not publicly commented on his sister’s remarks. Known for his calm demeanor and deep sense of privacy, he has often avoided discussing personal matters in the media, preferring instead to focus on his music and his family life with wife Majella.
Friends close to both siblings say that while the estrangement is painful, there is mutual respect beneath the silence. “They love each other — that’s never been in doubt,” one family acquaintance shared. “Sometimes time and pride build walls that only love and patience can break down. I think deep down, they’ll find their way back.”
Margo, now celebrating over 60 years in the music industry, has often turned to music as her way of healing. Her recent song, written by Shunie Crampsey, marked her six-decade milestone and reflected themes of family, faith, and forgiveness — themes that, knowingly or not, mirror her own life story.
“Music has always been my comfort,” she said. “When you sing from the heart, it helps you let go of the pain.”
The revelation has sparked an emotional response from fans of both Margo and Daniel, many of whom have grown up with their music and admired their bond. On social media, messages of love and encouragement have poured in, with fans expressing hope that the siblings will reunite someday.
“Life is too short,” one longtime listener wrote. “We all miss our loved ones when they’re gone — but when the people we still have drift apart, that’s the real heartbreak. I hope Margo and Daniel can talk again.”
As for Margo, her words carried both sorrow and grace: “Family is family,” she said softly. “No matter how far apart you drift, they’re always in your heart. I pray that someday, before it’s too late, Daniel and I can sit together again — just like we used to.”