DANIEL O’DONNELL OPENS UP ABOUT RENEWING HIS VOWS WITH MAJELLA — AND REVEALS THE SECRET TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE
After more than two decades of love, laughter, and life together, Daniel O’Donnell and his wife Majella continue to show the world what lasting devotion truly looks like. The beloved Donegal singer has opened up about renewing their wedding vows after 20 years of marriage — and in doing so, he’s shared heartfelt reflections on love, partnership, and the secret to keeping a relationship strong.
Daniel and Majella, who were married on November 4, 2002, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in a deeply personal way — with a surprise vow renewal ceremony at their family home in Kincasslagh, Donegal. Surrounded by their closest loved ones, including their children and grandchildren, the couple reaffirmed their commitment to one another in what Daniel described as “a quiet but meaningful celebration.”
Speaking with warmth and humility, Daniel recalled how the idea came to life. “Majella didn’t know about it until the day,” he revealed with a smile. “We had a lovely ceremony with Fr. Martin, our family, and a few close friends. It was small and simple — just a dinner around the table afterwards — but it meant the world to us.”
He explained that he first surprised Majella with a similar ceremony ten years earlier, on their 10th anniversary, but this time the gesture carried even deeper emotion. “After everything we’ve been through — her cancer battle, the ups and downs of life — I just wanted to remind her how much she means to me. It wasn’t about making a fuss, just about saying, ‘I still choose you.’”
For Daniel, the secret to a happy marriage lies in respect, laughter, and patience. “You have to let each other be yourselves,” he said. “Majella and I are very different in some ways, but that’s what makes it work. We give each other space, we laugh a lot, and we don’t take things too seriously.”
Their marriage has long been admired by fans, not only for its longevity but for its authenticity. The couple has always been open about life’s challenges — from Majella’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, which she faced with remarkable courage, to their honest discussions about marriage, family, and aging. Daniel says it’s that openness that keeps their bond strong.
“We talk about everything,” he shared. “Sometimes we disagree, but we always listen. You can’t hold grudges in marriage — you have to forgive quickly and move on. That’s what keeps peace in the house.”
The Donegal star also credits his wife for keeping him grounded. “Majella has a great sense of humor and a great sense of perspective,” he said. “She doesn’t let me get carried away with the showbiz side of things. At home, I’m not ‘Daniel O’Donnell the singer’ — I’m just Daniel, her husband, the man who has to take out the bins and make the tea.”
The renewal ceremony came at an emotional time for Majella, who had recently lost her mother. Daniel acknowledged that their family was still coping with the grief, saying, “She was 86 and had dementia, and even though she didn’t have a long illness, it’s still a huge loss. It makes you realize how precious time is, and how important it is to hold on to the people you love.”
That sense of gratitude is at the heart of everything Daniel and Majella do — whether it’s sharing laughs on their hit TV series B&B Road Trip, supporting each other through charity work, or simply enjoying quiet evenings at home in Donegal. “We’ve been blessed,” Daniel said softly. “Not every day is perfect, but we’re still smiling, still laughing, and still walking side by side. That’s what marriage is about.”
The couple’s 20-year milestone also coincides with a new chapter for their family, as Majella’s son Michael prepares for his wedding in Italy. “We’re all very excited,” Daniel said, smiling. “It’s lovely to see the next generation starting their journey. Maybe they’ll take a bit of advice from us — or maybe they’ll do it their own way. Either way, we’ll be there to cheer them on.”
As for whether he’ll sing at the wedding? Daniel laughed, “I don’t know yet, but you never know what might happen. Maybe I’ll be persuaded after a glass of wine or two!”
Looking back, Daniel says the key to a lasting marriage isn’t complicated — it’s about kindness, humor, and gratitude. “Love isn’t about big gestures,” he reflected. “It’s about the small things — the cups of tea, the laughter in the kitchen, the way you still reach for each other’s hand after all these years.”
And with that, the Irish icon summed up two decades of devotion in one simple, heartfelt line:
“Every morning I wake up beside Majella, I thank God. Because after 20 years — and all the years still to come — I’d marry her all over again.”