Daniel O'Donnell pays tribute to Dolores Keane on new TV show

THE songs of the late Dolores Keane and the late Moya Brennan, plus appearances by family members and friends, will form one of six TV shows in the new Opry le Daniel series for TG4 filmed in Derry recently.

Daniel O’Donnell and his wife Majella will also host a tea day in aid of cancer care in their Donegal home later this month. Daniel is the host of the TV programme, and he will also sing some of his own hits in both English and Irish.

He told The Tuam Herald that he was delighted to have the opportunity to pay tribute to the songs of his two late singing friends.

“The third show in the new series is a tribute to Dolores Keane and Moya Brennan, and we have Sean Keane and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan on it. I’m doing a song that was a hit for Moya titled Thíos Cois ná Tra Domh which was written by a local man back home and it’s a beautiful song that I’ve always liked,” said Daniel.

“For the Irish versions of my own hits, Dervla Ní Churraoin, who helped me with translations from English in the past, is involved in helping me once again.

“The ones I sing in Irish include two Scottish songs that I’ve recorded in the past, The Dark Island and Will You Go Lassie Go. I will also sing, as Gaeilge, Four Country Roads, My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You and Wherever You Are.”

Six entertaining episodes

Daniel said that the series of six TV programmes will have a mix of Contemporary and Classic Irish Country, Folk and a special show on Scottish music and songs as well.

“In our contemporary Country show we have another Galway girl as a guest Rachel Goode from Ballinasloe, as well as Simon Casey who is very successful as a solo singer and in the Eagles tribute show Take It to The Limit, and Donna Taggart of Jealous of the Angels fame,” offered Daniel.

“On the first of the shows, which is one for young new Country artists, we have a Scottish singer named Ruairidh Grey, Effie Neill and a young man who is a grandnephew of the late Big Tom, Damien Davis.

“On our show titled Country ‘n’ Irish we will feature another Galway girl, Caitríona Ní Cheannabháin from Carna, my sister Margo (Margaret) and Andy Cooney who sings Irish songs and is based in New York.

“On the fifth show we have a programme celebrating Susan McCann’s 50 years on the Country scene with her musical family including husband Dennis and their children and grandchildren plus special guest Brandan Quinn.

“The final show is titled Classic Country and will feature Michael English, David James and Olivia Douglas.”

Tea Day for cancer care

While Daniel is on a sabbatical from touring until Autumn 2027, tickets for his first shows back on September 3rd and 4th 2027 at The Gleneagle Arena Killarney will go on sale this September from the venue.

But before that, he and Majella will open their home in Meenbanad near Dungloe for the fans and host a Tea Day for cancer care there.

“Our house will be open for all from 1pm until 4pm on Tuesday July 28th and all the funds go for cancer care to the Relay for Life group who are organising the event. Majella and I will greet the people and boil the kettle for the cups of tea as well,” laughed Daniel who isn’t a tea drinker at all!

He said that the event will help a worthy cause and rekindle memories of the tea days that he and his late sister Kathleen and their late mother Julia used to host in Kincasslagh during the early years of his career.

“The event in our house is during the Mary from Dungloe Festival which opens on the previous Saturday, and on the Sunday I will be one of the performers at the festival’s Country Sunday concert which will also feature other Country singers as well,” concluded Daniel.