Daniel O’Donnell Reveals He Nearly Gave Up Singing in the 1980s After Struggling to Survive — “It Was Very Difficult Just to Keep Going”
Irish music icon Daniel O’Donnell has revealed that he came close to abandoning his singing career in the mid-1980s, admitting that financial hardship nearly forced him to give up on the dream that would eventually make him one of the most beloved entertainers of his generation.
Speaking candidly during a one-hour special on BBC Radio Leeds, the singer reflected on the early years of his journey — a period far removed from the success and international recognition he enjoys today. As he approaches his 54th birthday, Daniel looked back on the struggles that shaped his career, noting that there was a time when survival felt almost impossible.
“I made my first record in 1983, but it took until around 1986 for things to really gain momentum,” he explained. “By 1985, I had genuinely thought about giving up because you needed to have some kind of focus. It was very difficult to financially survive. Then all of a sudden, it just happened.”
Before he became a household name, Daniel had studied accounting, economics, and mathematics as part of a business course in college. He once imagined he might become a teacher — a far cry from the life of a touring performer. With no guarantee that singing would ever pay the bills, the option of returning to his studies was always in the back of his mind.
But everything changed when his single “My Donegal Shore” received major airplay and quickly turned into a breakthrough hit. Soon after, he secured a manager who helped him book higher-profile gigs. Gradually, his name began moving up festival lineups until he eventually became the headlining act — a moment that marked the true beginning of his long-term success.
Daniel also reflected on the personal milestones that have shaped his life. Meeting his wife Majella in 1999, he said, brought a deep sense of peace, balance, and fulfillment.
“We found that we were made for one another. We are very fortunate. It has really enriched my life so much since I met Majella,” he said, expressing profound gratitude for their relationship.
Becoming a step-grandfather to baby Olivia has also brought immense joy. Daniel described her as “the joy of our lives,” adding, “We just love her, there’s no doubt about it.”
The couple has also weathered difficult times together, including Majella’s breast cancer battle that began during the summer of 2013. Daniel praised her resilience, recalling how she insisted he continue touring despite her diagnosis.
“She was very positive and she just got on with it, focusing on getting better,” he said. “She told me, ‘We are not canceling anything. Life has to turn. If we stop everything, cancer is in charge — but if we keep going, we dictate.’ And that’s exactly what we did.”
One of the most public moments of her fight — shaving her head live on The Late Late Show, which raised over €600,000 for the Irish Cancer Society — remains a point of pride and inspiration.
“I think that was a big part of her recovery, even though she was only starting her chemo. It gave her a great, positive focus in the middle of it all,” Daniel said.
As he prepares to celebrate yet another birthday, the beloved singer shared that his plans remain simple. He will travel to the RTÉ studios to record a Christmas special for St. Stephen’s Day, continuing the work he loves with the same dedication that carried him through the hardest years of his life.
From the brink of giving up to becoming a global Irish music legend, Daniel O’Donnell’s story remains a powerful reminder of perseverance, gratitude, and the unexpected turns that shape a lifetime.