WHEN CHRISTMAS RETURNS TO THE HEART OF DUBLIN — DANIEL O’DONNELL ANNOUNCES TWO VERY SPECIAL NIGHTS THAT PROMISE TO DEFINE THE FESTIVE SEASON
This December, Christmas in Dublin will arrive with a familiar voice and a deep sense of home, as Daniel O’Donnell brings his beloved Christmas show to the capital for two very special nights. Set to take place at the Dublin Convention Centre, Christmas With Daniel is already being described as one of the true highlights of the festive season for fans across Ireland and beyond.
For Daniel O’Donnell, Christmas concerts are never just dates in a calendar. They are moments of connection — opportunities to slow down, to reflect, and to share music that has shaped generations. These Dublin shows, scheduled for Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December, mark a return to the city with a program designed not for spectacle, but for warmth, memory, and sincerity.
Joining Daniel on stage will be The Presentation Choir, widely admired for their appearance on Britain’s Got Talent. Their presence adds a rich choral depth to an evening already steeped in tradition. Together, they will bring to life a carefully chosen selection of seasonal favorites, including much-loved classics such as “Silver Bells” and Daniel’s own timeless “Christmas in Innisfree.” These songs are not rushed or reinvented. They are offered with care, allowing listeners to hear them as they were always meant to be heard — familiar, comforting, and deeply human.
Speaking ahead of the busy week that lies before him, Daniel reflected on why this time of year holds such meaning. “The run up to Christmas is always special and I cannot wait to share this with my fans,” he said. It is a simple statement, but one that captures the essence of his relationship with his audience. For decades, Daniel has understood that Christmas music is not about novelty. It is about continuity — about returning to something steady when the world feels uncertain.
The announcement of Christmas With Daniel comes at a particularly significant moment in his schedule. Daniel was speaking ahead of the Irish Country Music Awards, which take place tomorrow night. As host of the inaugural ceremony, he will not only guide the evening, but also perform, marking yet another milestone in a career built on consistency and trust.
Reflecting on the state of Irish country music, Daniel spoke with characteristic honesty. He acknowledged that the genre has weathered its challenges over the years. “It took a wee dip,” he admitted, recalling a time when doubts were voiced openly. “I remember when I started, people said I might as well be cutting grass, and I just couldn’t take that.” The comment, delivered with gentle humor, points to a deeper truth about perseverance in a field often underestimated.
Yet Daniel has never doubted the audience. “Everybody who liked country music didn’t die,” he said plainly. “And it did boom again.” His belief is rooted not in theory, but in experience — decades spent on the road, meeting listeners face to face, watching the genre grow rather than fade.
Today, he sees Irish country music as stronger than ever, driven by a new generation of artists who continue to carry the tradition forward. He points to performers such as Mike Denver, Michael English, Derek Ryan, and Lisa McHugh as proof that the genre is not only surviving, but thriving. These artists, Daniel notes, are “flying the flag,” bringing Irish country music to audiences far beyond the island.
So confident is he in the genre’s strength that Daniel believes the Irish Country Music Awards could have filled the 3 Arena — and sold it out. It is a statement that reflects not bravado, but long-earned perspective. Irish country music, he explains, has reached audiences with no prior connection to Ireland at all. “They’ve been travelling out of Ireland for years and years and years,” he said, “bringing Irish music to people with no Irish connection, and they’re bringing people to Ireland.”
The awards ceremony will also pay tribute to two towering figures often regarded as the king and queen of Irish country music — Philomena Begley and Big Tom McBride — acknowledging the foundations upon which today’s success is built.
The Irish Country Music Awards will air live on RTÉ at 9.35pm tomorrow night, featuring performances from Daniel himself alongside Nathan Carter, Lisa McHugh, Derek Ryan, and others.
Amid all of this, Daniel’s focus remains firmly on Christmas — on those two December nights in Dublin when music, memory, and tradition will meet under one roof. Tickets for Christmas With Daniel go on sale this Saturday, June 25, and demand is expected to be high.
For fans, these concerts are not simply shows to attend. They are annual markers, moments that signal the true beginning of the festive season. And when Daniel O’Donnell steps onto the stage in Dublin this December, carrying songs that have warmed countless winters before, Christmas will feel exactly as it should — familiar, generous, and quietly unforgettable.