Mourners at a lockdown funeral in West Cork were given an unexpected and heartwarming surprise when country music star Daniel O’Donnell sang over the phone at the graveside of Margaret McCarthy, a huge fan of the Donegal singer. The emotional moment provided a much-needed lift for the family during a time of grief, as they laid their beloved mother to rest.
Margaret McCarthy, who passed away in Marymount Hospice in Cork, was a devoted follower of O’Donnell. Her daughter, Ann Phayer, shared how Margaret’s love for Daniel was well-known among the family. “Her husband Jimmy and the family used to joke that there were ‘three in the marriage,'” Ann said, noting Margaret’s dedication to attending as many of his concerts as she could, as well as purchasing his music and calendars.
A family friend reached out to Daniel to see if he would offer a condolence on the death notice, and his tribute on RIP.ie generated a lot of buzz in the small town. However, O’Donnell went above and beyond by calling Ann’s sister Catherine to personally express his sympathy. He remembered Margaret for her “great smile,” and the family was deeply touched by this kind gesture.
During the lockdown, funerals were notably bleak and somber, but Ann mentioned the immense gratitude the family felt as they watched the hearse carry Margaret’s coffin up the Main Street of Innishannon. The street was lined with friends and neighbors who turned out for a socially distanced farewell. The family had planned to play O’Donnell’s song “Beyond the Rainbow’s End” at the graveside, but they received an even more special surprise.
As the funeral service was being live-streamed, Daniel called Ann’s sister Catherine again and surprised the family by singing the song over the phone at the graveside. “It was very sombre and then it was up very uplifting when Daniel rang and sang. It was very emotional,” Ann recalled. “I think she (Margaret) was there looking down on us. It lightened the moment.”
Following the emotional song, O’Donnell asked to speak with Margaret’s husband, Jimmy, and the two shared a touching conversation. “Daniel had a few words with my father afterwards. Daniel said, ‘Is that Jimmy?’ He knew his name and everything, which was lovely,” Ann shared. She had previously joked during the eulogy that there were “three people in the marriage” — Margaret, Jimmy, and Daniel.
Jimmy was visibly moved by the gesture, especially after seeing the condolence from Daniel and his wife Majella. “He was very emotional when he saw the condolence on RIP from Daniel and Majella,” Ann added. “He couldn’t believe it. Then he found out that Daniel rang my sister. And then the graveside call. He was very good to the family.”
Ann described her late mother as a warm, loving mother and grandmother of 11 who was always full of life and fun. “She loved the craic. She loved the family and the grandchildren and music and singing,” Ann said. “She loved Daniel from the start of his career. If Daniel came on the Late Late Show or something, I would ring and tell her or if she saw it she would ring saying ‘Daniel is on the telly.’ She was mad about him.”
If Margaret had been alive to receive the phone call from Daniel, Ann said, “She would nearly have fainted!” The family expressed their immense gratitude to Daniel for this kind gesture, which provided an uplifting moment during a deeply emotional time. “This was so kind of him,” Ann said. “We are very grateful to him. It was very uplifting.”
Daniel O’Donnell’s thoughtful and unexpected gesture helped the family feel a sense of closeness and comfort as they said their final goodbye to Margaret McCarthy, who will always be remembered for her love of music and her admiration for the country music legend.