Daniel O’Donnell ‘Heartbroken’ After Sudden Death of Sister Kathleen Doogan
Daniel O’Donnell, one of Ireland’s most beloved entertainers, is mourning the sudden and unexpected loss of his sister, Kathleen Doogan (née O’Donnell). The news, which has cast a shadow of grief over Kincasslagh and beyond, has left the singer “heartbroken,” according to family friends.
Kathleen passed away at her home in Kincasslagh, a place where she was known, respected, and deeply loved. She is survived by her husband John, their sons John Francis and Daniel, and daughters Tricia and Fiona. Among her siblings are Margo, Jamesie, Daniel, and John Bosco O’Donnell — a family well known not only in Donegal but across Ireland for their music, hospitality, and community spirit.
For many, Kathleen was remembered not just as Daniel’s sister but as a woman of warmth and strength in her own right. She and her husband John once managed the Viking House Hotel in Kincasslagh, after it was purchased by Daniel. The hotel became more than a business; it was a gathering place for friends, neighbors, and visitors, a reflection of Kathleen’s welcoming nature and commitment to her community.
Friends of the family note that Daniel and Kathleen shared a particularly close bond. They were close in age, which nurtured a relationship filled with mutual respect, laughter, and constant support. “Daniel is heartbroken,” one family source shared. “Himself and Kathleen were close in age and got on very well. Kathleen wasn’t ill at all and she passed away suddenly at her home.”
The news of her passing has stunned many who knew her. Known for her kindness, generosity, and dedication to her family, Kathleen leaves behind memories that will be cherished by her loved ones and by the community she was so much a part of.
Her remains will repose at her home in Kincasslagh beginning today, with Rosary to be recited at 9 p.m. for two nights. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m. at St Mary’s Church in Kincasslagh, with burial to follow in Belcruit Cemetery. These services are expected to draw not only family and friends but also members of the wider community who wish to pay their respects to a woman who touched so many lives.
Kathleen’s passing is also deeply felt by her siblings. Margo O’Donnell, herself a household name in Irish country music, has often spoken of the strength of family ties. For Daniel, whose career has taken him from small parish halls in Donegal to stages around the world, family has always been at the core of his life. The loss of a sister who walked beside him through so many stages of that journey is a profound one.
As tributes begin to pour in, many remember Kathleen not only for her connection to one of Ireland’s most famous families but for her own character: a woman of dignity, compassion, and joy. Her sudden passing is a reminder of life’s fragility and the importance of the bonds we hold dear.
For Daniel O’Donnell, who has brought comfort to so many through his music, this time of grief is deeply personal. Yet those who know him best believe that the strength of his faith, his family, and his community will help carry him through the days ahead.
Kathleen’s legacy will live on through her children, her grandchildren, her siblings, and the countless people who were touched by her kindness. As St Mary’s Church prepares to welcome mourners for her final farewell, the village of Kincasslagh will stand together in sorrow, gratitude, and remembrance of a life that gave so much to others.