DANIEL O’DONNELL SAYS HE IS NOW THE DESIGNATED BABYSITTER AS HE CONSIDERS A NEW RTÉ TRAVEL SERIES
For Daniel O’Donnell, life continues to be a careful balance between music, family, and the quiet joys that come with later chapters. The beloved Irish country singer has revealed that he has recently taken on a new and very personal role — that of designated babysitter for his cherished grandchildren — as he weighs up future television plans and prepares for a return to touring.
Speaking candidly ahead of a busy period, Daniel O’Donnell said that while his professional calendar is beginning to fill once again, his immediate priority is family time. After years of disruption caused by the pandemic, which forced many performers away from the stage, Daniel is preparing to resume touring this autumn. But before stepping back into concert halls and theatres, he is determined to enjoy time away with those closest to him.
The Donegal native shared that he and his family are heading abroad for a short break, one that will be less about rest and more about togetherness. “We’re going to Tenerife next week for two weeks,” Daniel told the Irish Daily Mirror, adding with a laugh, “I’m brought to babysit.” The comment was delivered with his trademark humour, reflecting a man who has never taken himself too seriously despite decades of success.
Now a proud grandfather, Daniel O’Donnell has often spoken about how family has become increasingly important as the years have passed. While fans continue to associate him with sold-out tours and television appearances, those closest to him know that he values ordinary moments just as deeply. Time with his grandchildren, he suggests, is not something he squeezes in around work — it is something he plans for.
Alongside family life, Daniel is also considering his future on television. He confirmed that no final decision has yet been made on whether he and his wife Majella O’Donnell will return to screens in their much-loved RTÉ Roadtrip series. The travel programmes, which followed the couple exploring destinations at home and abroad, became fan favourites for their relaxed pace and natural chemistry.
For now, Daniel says he is keeping his options open. With touring commitments returning and family responsibilities growing, any decision about filming will need to fit comfortably around both. It is an approach that reflects the way he has increasingly chosen projects — carefully, thoughtfully, and without pressure.
Daniel also touched on the realities of travelling as a well-known public figure. Following comments by Ryan Tubridy, who recently remarked that he struggles to go anywhere without being recognised, Daniel offered a slightly different perspective. “Ah, it depends where you are,” he explained. “When you are out and about people generally aren’t that interested on a day-to-day basis. But when you go into the Irish bars, you are going to meet lots of people. And that’s my choice to do that.”
In fact, Daniel joked that he is often more eager than anyone else to join in when music starts. “I’m not always dragged up — I might be running up,” he said, reinforcing his long-held love of live performance and connection with audiences.
His natural humour was also on display recently during a live television appearance that left viewers laughing. While attempting to set up a remote interview on Ireland AM, Daniel accidentally revealed Majella relaxing in bed behind him. The unscripted moment quickly went viral, with audiences delighted by the couple’s easygoing reaction.
Laughing off the mishap later, Daniel said, “We are always doing the wrong thing. Sometimes you just can’t be but what you are.” The comment summed up much of his public appeal — an authenticity that feels increasingly rare.
This week, Daniel was speaking in Dublin, where he attended the launch of Charlie Bird’s new book, Climb with Charlie. The singer has developed a close friendship with the former RTÉ broadcaster, particularly through their shared involvement in the Croagh Patrick climb earlier this year.
Reflecting on Charlie Bird’s impact, Daniel spoke with genuine admiration. “He has made such an impression on everybody,” he said. “We know Charlie Bird for years as the correspondent for RTÉ, and we have hung on his stories down through the years. But no story he ever brought to us was as heartwarming as his own, or made such a difference as his own did.”
As Daniel O’Donnell looks ahead, his life appears full but balanced — tours on the horizon, possible television projects under consideration, and cherished family moments taking centre stage. Whether on a concert platform, a television screen, or babysitting by a hotel pool, Daniel remains exactly as his audience has always known him: grounded, grateful, and quietly devoted to the people and passions that matter most.