Meet Daniel O’Donnell’s Biggest Fan — Máire Rua Gallagher
In every artist’s story, there’s always that one fan whose devotion becomes part of the legend — and for Daniel O’Donnell, that fan is Máire Rua Gallagher. Known affectionately among Daniel’s loyal followers as “the lady in red,” Máire has supported the Donegal superstar for more than three decades, traveling far and wide to see him perform and proudly calling herself his number-one fan.
A native of Kincasslagh, County Donegal, like Daniel himself, Máire’s admiration for the singer began in the late 1980s, when his gentle voice and heartfelt storytelling first began to capture hearts across Ireland. “The first time I heard Daniel sing ‘My Donegal Shore,’ I knew he wasn’t just another singer,” she says. “He was singing about home — about the people and places I loved. From that day on, I was hooked.”
Since then, Máire has attended well over 200 of Daniel’s concerts, traveling not just across Ireland, but to the UK, the United States, and even Australia to see him live. She jokes that she’s “spent more time on buses and ferries for Daniel than most people do on holidays,” but her face lights up whenever she talks about the joy his music brings. “Every show feels like the first time,” she says. “He sings straight to your heart — there’s nothing fake about him.”
Her devotion hasn’t gone unnoticed. Over the years, Daniel and his wife Majella have come to know Máire personally, often greeting her by name at meet-and-greet events. Daniel has described her as “part of the family,” noting that her enthusiasm and kindness remind him why he began singing in the first place. “People like Máire are the reason I keep going,” he once said. “She’s been there through it all — rain or shine, near or far.”
Máire’s home in Donegal is a living tribute to her favorite artist. Every wall is adorned with framed photographs, concert posters, signed records, and newspaper clippings — a carefully kept archive of memories that tell the story of Daniel’s remarkable career. “It’s not just about the music,” she says softly. “It’s about what he represents — love, faith, and the feeling that no matter how far you go, home is always waiting.”
She fondly recalls one particularly special moment when Daniel surprised her onstage during a concert in Derry. “He called me up and said, ‘This lady has been to more of my shows than I can count!’” Máire laughs. “I was shaking like a leaf, but I’ll never forget it. He sang ‘How Great Thou Art’ that night, and I cried the whole way home.”
Beyond her fandom, Máire is admired by fellow concertgoers for her warmth and generosity. She’s known for organizing fan meetups, helping new fans find tickets, and even collecting donations for local charities in Daniel’s name. “He’s given us so much kindness over the years,” she says. “It’s only right that we share a bit of that kindness back.”
As Daniel O’Donnell continues to inspire generations with his music and grace, Máire Rua Gallagher remains one of the most enduring symbols of the love and loyalty he’s inspired. When asked what keeps her following him after all these years, her answer is simple:
“Because Daniel never forgot where he came from — and neither did I.”