MARGO O’DONNELL OPENS UP TO SUNDAY WORLD ABOUT WHY SHE JOINED THE 30-YEAR SEARCH FOR MISSING MARY BOYLE
Donegal, Ireland — Irish country music legend Margo O’Donnell has spoken candidly about her emotional involvement in the decades-long search for Mary Boyle, the six-year-old girl who vanished near Ballyshannon, County Donegal, in 1977. In a heartfelt interview with the Sunday World, Margo revealed why the case struck such a deep personal chord — and why she has never given up hope that Mary’s family will one day find peace.
💬 “I couldn’t just stand by,” Margo said softly. “This little girl went missing not far from where I grew up. For years, her family have lived with heartbreak and unanswered questions. As a Donegal woman and as a human being, I felt I had to help in whatever way I could.”
Mary Boyle disappeared while visiting her grandparents’ home in Cashelard on March 18, 1977. Despite extensive searches, appeals, and public campaigns, no trace of her has ever been found. Margo, who became involved in supporting the family’s efforts over the years, says the story has haunted her ever since she first heard it.
💬 “Every time I saw Mary’s picture, I thought of my own nieces and nephews — of every child who deserves to grow up safe and loved,” Margo shared. “There’s something in you that can’t let go. You want justice, but you also want comfort for those left behind.”
Her connection to the case deepened in recent years, as she used her platform to keep Mary’s name in the public eye. Margo has joined local vigils, spoken at awareness events, and worked alongside campaigners determined to uncover the truth.
She told Sunday World that her decision wasn’t about fame or attention — it was about compassion and conscience. “This isn’t a show or a story for entertainment,” she said firmly. “It’s about a little girl whose life was taken away, and a family who deserve answers before their own time runs out.”
The Queen of Country and Irish Music also revealed how emotionally draining — yet spiritually important — the experience has been. “There are nights I lie awake thinking about Mary,” she confessed. “You can’t unhear the sorrow in her family’s voices. But I believe in God, and I believe one day, the truth will come to light.”
Margo, who is known for her songs about faith and resilience, says her belief has been her anchor throughout. “I pray for Mary every night,” she said. “And I pray for whoever knows something — that their conscience will move them to speak. It’s never too late to tell the truth.”
In her closing words to Sunday World, Margo delivered a message of hope and determination that resonated far beyond Donegal:
💬 “Mary deserves to be brought home. Her family deserve peace. I’ll keep standing with them — as long as it takes.”
For Margo O’Donnell, the search for Mary Boyle is no longer just a mystery — it’s a mission of love, justice, and faith that continues to define her not only as an artist, but as a woman who refuses to let a little girl be forgotten.