Daniel O'Donnell taking 'extended' break due to health issues
Daniel O'Donnell has announced he is taking "an extended break from touring" due to health issues.
The 63-year-old singer from County Donegal cited allergies and recurrent chest infections.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, a spokesperson for O'Donnell said the decision to take a break was not "made lightly".
But it is "not a retirement but rather a temporary break" to recharge and recover after years on the road.
"This decision was not made lightly, but it is driven by the health challenges he has faced over the past few years, particularly with allergies and recurrent chest infections while touring extensively," the statement said.
"Daniel will continue his touring commitments until December 2025, but he has realised that he needs to step back and focus on his health and well-being."
It is not known when the country/folk singer will return to touring, O'Donnell will host his annual Opry le Daniel shows on Irish language channel TG4 early next year.
He will also perform on Gertrude Byrne's Medditerranean Cruise in September 2026, but these are the only two confirmed performances he will undertake.
Hailing from Kincasslagh, The Boy from Donegal has been a key figure in the Irish music industry for over 40 years.
In that time, he has released over 45 studio and live albums, cementing his status as a household name across the UK and Ireland.
He married his wife, Majella, in 2002 who he met on holiday while in Tenerife three years earlier.
The singer, also known as "Wee Daniel", has inspired a Daniel O'Donnell visitor centre in Dungloe, with his gold discs, awards and wedding suit on display for fans.
In 1994, O'Donnell cancelled a series of sold-out shows in Newcastle, County Down after receiving a paramilitary threat that he would be killed if he performed.
He has also been the subject of a number of online cons targeting fans.
Last month, he urged them not to fall for social media "scammers" after fake images of him in hospital were posted online.
Daniel O'Donnell warns fans about 'scammers' claiming he is sick
'My music isn't everyone's cup of tea' - O'Donnell
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
‘The Office' spinoff star Domhnall Gleeson slams comparison to the original show as a ‘massive mistake'
He's no Michael Scott. Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson, 42, who is starring in the upcoming spinoff of 'The Office' called 'The Paper,' slammed comparisons between the two shows. Gleeson told People on Thursday, 'I don't think my characters like Michael Scott at alI.' Advertisement The 'Harry Potter' actor added, 'I think if you're trying to compete with what Steve [Carell] did or with what Ricky Gervais did, I think it would be a massive mistake.' 7 Domhnall Gleeson attends the 'Echo Valley' New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square 13 on June 04, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images 7 Rainn Wilson and Steve Carell in 'The Office.' ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement 'The Office' originally began as a British show that aired from 2001 to 2003, created by Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Gervais also starred. The American version of the show helmed by Greg Daniels, starred Steve Carell and aired on NBC from 2005 to 2013. 'The Paper' is co-created by Daniels and Michael Korman and will be set in Ohio rather than Scranton, Pennsylvania. It will premiere in the fall. 7 Creed Bratton, Paul Liberstein, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, B.J. Novak, Rainn Wilson, Angela Kinsey, Jenna Fischer, Steve Carell, John Krasinski in 'The Office.' ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement Gleeson, whose father is 'The Banshees of Inisherin' star Brendan Gleeson, 70, said about Carrell and Gervais, 'They are geniuses who are incredible in loads of different ways.' He added, 'We made a whole new character. And it's a whole new sort of set up, but I hope people will find a reason to love him as well, just in a different way than they did the guys before.' 'The Paper' will be a mockumentary series set in the same world as 'The Office' at a different company with a different cast of characters. 7 Sabrina Impacciatore as Esmeralda, Oscar Nunez as Oscar, Domhnall Gleeson as Ned, Gbemisola Ikumelo as Adelola in the first look photo of 'The Paper.' Aaron Epstein/PEACOCK Advertisement 7 Domhnall Gleeson attends the 'Alice & Jack' premiere during the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival at Royal Alexandra Theatre on September 16, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario. Getty Images Gleeson stars along with 'The White Lotus' star Sabrina Impacciatore, while 'The Office' star Oscar Nuñez will reprise his role. The show's official logline is, 'The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch is in search of a new subject when they discover a historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it.' In May, Gleeson also told People that he got some advice from 'The Office' star John Krasinski. 7 Steve Carell and John Krasinski in 'The Office.' ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection 'He was wonderful. I mean, his big advice that he gave me was to do it,' he said. 'And the same with Steve Carell, another just wonderful actor who I'd worked with before,' Gleeson said, referring to the 2022 miniseries thriller, 'The Patient.' He added, 'Their advice was, if it's Greg Daniels, you should do it because getting to work with him is a treat that not many people get to have.' Advertisement During a 2022 interview with The Post, Daniels recalled, 'I really liked making the Jim and Pam romance over several seasons [on 'The Office'], and the key to it is having obstacles…. it could have that poignant feeling that you have when you can't see a way for them to get together.' 7 Domhnall Gleeson attends Apple's 'Fountain of Youth' premiere at American Museum of Natural History on May 19, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images Gleeson said, 'And I'm so happy I did it because I think we have something really lovely. So I'm thrilled with it.' 'The Paper' will premiere at an unannounced date in September on Peacock.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Celtic Fest Ohio to bring vibrant Celtic culture to Waynesville
Previous coverage of last year's festival is above. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – The massive Celtic Fest Ohio will kick off this upcoming Saturday in Waynesville. Renaissance Park, 10542 East State Route 73, will be rocked on Saturday, June 14, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The festival is a vibrant celebration of Celtic heritage. There will be live musicians, traditional dancers, authentic food and a vendor market. There will be a diverse selection of Celtic music, from traditional to contemporary Celtic rock. The headline performers are as follows: Albannach Bastard Bearded Irishmen Father Son and Friends Jameson's Folly Miami Valley Pipes & Drums Poor Man's Gambit SCYTHIAN Sweet William The 42nd Royal Highlanders The Drowsy Lads The Piper Jones Band Local library opens applications for upcoming Writer and Author's Symposium Notable activities include the following: 42nd Royal Highland Regiment Encampment, learn about Celtic and American history from reenactors. Seek and Find Etching, an event to teach kids about etching and knotwork. Miller Border Collies, watch spectacular dogs in herding demonstrations. Miami Valley Pipes and Drums, enjoy the beauty of historical Celtic music with the festival walkthroughs. The all-ages Shamrock Shenanigans Fireman Rally, $18. (Each ticket is donated to the Massie Township Fire Department.) Afternoon tea, a $28 serene and peaceful gathering in the garden. Taste of the Isles, a $55 small plate historic menu tasting experience. Alcohol-based events are 21+ only, with a photo ID ready, and are as follows: Irish whiskey tasting, $39, learn about five premium Irish Whiskies behind the Aleing Knight Pub. Guinness Experience, $34, learn the six-step iconic Guinness Pour and personalize an engraved glass at the Tasting Tent. Dave Chappelle announces summer shows; tickets on sale Friday Tickets are available for purchase online here. It's $17 for everyone 13 years old and above. Children 12 and under receive free admission. Pets, outside food and beverages are not permitted. All weapons must be secured in a sheath at all times. To view the full schedule, click here. To view the interactive map, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Snow Patrol frontman to perform home city gig with a difference
Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody will perform one of his first major gigs as an author, in his home town this summer. The event discussing his new book, The Forest Is The Path, is expected to be one of the star attractions of this summer's Open House Festival in Bangor, Co Down. The annual festival includes almost 100 events throughout August, and is expected to attract about 50,000 people to the city, with Bangor Castle Walled Garden and the Court House on the seafront as the focal venues. Lightbody will be talking to Irish author and broadcaster Sinead Gleeson about his book The Forest Is The Path, which was published in March, in what has been billed as a 'very different and incredibly personal hometown appearance', on August 26-27. Among the other stars to appear at the Walled Garden are singers Lisa O'Neill and Mary Coughlan, folk duo Ye Vagabonds, and comedians Paddy Raff, Chris Kent and Neil Delamere. Events at the Court House include The Ocelots, twin brothers from Wexford now based in Germany, and a special festival performance by Northern Ireland Opera. Among the other author events scheduled, former Labour cabinet member Alan Johnson will talk about his new book, Harold Wilson, Chris Whitaker will be discussing his international best-selling novel All The Colours Of The Dark, and American writer Karen Hao will be talking about her new book Empire Of AI. Open House director Kieran Gilmore said the festival puts a spotlight on Bangor's creative talent. 'This year's festival has some of our finest local artists performing in iconic venues throughout the city,' he said. 'From an interview with Gary Lightbody about his new book, to a conversation between Declan Lawn, Bafta-winning writer of Blue Lights, and local author Colin Bateman, to an intimate launch of a new EP by King Cedar, we're bringing around 100 events across a whole range of art forms.' The Open House summer season gets under way on Friday July 4, with the annual Pickie to Pier swimming race, although the Seaside Revival Vintage Festival will not take place this year because of development work on the sea front. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday June 6 at
