Margo O’Donnell Breaks Down in Tears as Daniel O’Donnell Presents Her with Lifetime Achievement on Emotional Late Late Country Special
It was an evening filled with music, memories, and deep emotion as Ireland’s “Queen of Country” Margo O’Donnell was honoured with a prestigious lifetime achievement award — presented by none other than her younger brother, Daniel O’Donnell. The moment, which took place during RTÉ’s Late Late Country Music Special, was both a celebration of Margo’s decades-long career and a heartfelt tribute to the family bonds that have shaped her life.
Margo, 72, accepted the award with visible emotion, dedicating it to her late friend and Irish country music legend Big Tom. “I just want to dedicate this in memory of my friend, Big Tom,” she said, her voice breaking.
Daniel, who took to the stage to make the presentation, spoke warmly of his sister’s influence and achievements. “It gives me great pleasure to be the one chosen to do this,” he told the audience. “Margaret was there at the beginning. I am thrilled, and nobody deserves this more than you for all you have done for so many people.”
But behind the evening’s celebration was a shadow of recent loss. Earlier this year, Margo and Daniel’s family suffered a devastating blow with the sudden passing of their beloved sister, Kathleen Doogan, in February. Margo, speaking to host Ryan Tubridy, opened up about the heartbreak.
“My family are very, very dear to me. We just lost my only sister. She was four years younger than me. Everyone has been wonderful about it, but she died so suddenly and I am still asking why,” she said. “Family is just so, so important and I wish that I had just one more second with my sister Kathleen. That would be all I would ask. Just to look at her for one second and that she would look back at me.”
She described how Kathleen’s death had changed her perspective on life. “It made me reassess everything — the stupid things I used to think about that weren’t really important at all. What I have now of Kathleen is her children and grandchild. She seemed to come into her own when she became a grandmother.”
Daniel echoed his sister’s grief, acknowledging the deep shock of Kathleen’s passing. “It was a terrible shock to us,” he said. “I suppose in time we will heal, like so many families who have to face the same thing. But it was just the suddenness of it.”
The Late Late Country Music Special was itself a landmark broadcast, marking the final Country Special to be hosted by Ryan Tubridy before his departure from the programme. Tubridy reflected on how the show became a staple of the season, celebrating a world of music he had come to love. “I quickly learned that it was a world that brought people together… I have made a lot of friends in the country music world, and that has been my privilege,” he said.
The night featured performances from some of Ireland’s most beloved country artists, including Philomena Begley, Nathan Carter, Cliona Hagan, Derek Ryan, Trudi Lalor, and Claudia Buckley. Rising star Caillin Joe impressed with a rendition of a Glen Campbell classic, while 18-year-old Jessica Shine was crowned the show’s “Unexpected Country Star” and invited to perform in the finale.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, An Post unveiled a special “Keeping It Country” stamp collection honouring Daniel O’Donnell, Philomena Begley, Cliona Hagan, Nathan Carter, and the late Big Tom. The designs, inspired by vintage country music posters, were hailed as a milestone for Irish country music.
For Margo, the night was one of both recognition and remembrance — a career milestone intertwined with personal grief. As the music played on and she shared the stage with her peers, the emotion in her eyes reflected not only the honour bestowed upon her but the love, loss, and resilience that have defined her journey.