As he releases his new album, How Lucky I Must Be, Daniel O'Donnell gives RTÉ.ie his thoughts on a range of topics, including the Irish rugby team’s performance in the World Cup, U2’s Sphere in Vegas, his viral horror film and if we’ll ever see a Daniel O’Donnell hologram show...
On his new album:
The album is a mixture of songs that I had stored away to record - a few older songs, but the majority are fairly recently written, and some are newly written by mostly Irish writers, that I'm delighted with.
And I hope people enjoy - I just record what I love and hope that people will enjoy it too.
The title track [How Lucky I Must Be] was written by Isla Grant. People probably would know that one because Isla has recorded it herself. I chose that song as the album title because I just love the song, and it seemed like a nice title because I've been singing for over 40 years and I have had a very good career, so I have a lot to be grateful for.
And there's a couple from different other writers… Patsy Cavanagh has a couple on there too - Patsy's a very well-known writer – his most famous song was Home to Donegal but he's recorded and written many songs.
On what makes him feel lucky:
Having the grandchildren is just the best thing ever. They bring so much joy. I call them every day, and when you’re with them, what they're doing is more important than anything that's happening in the world, so you're just getting so many smiles from their life and what's going on with them. So yeah, they bring a lot of joy.
On what is on his backstage rider:
Oh no, no - there's no rider. I'm sure there is a rider of things that I need somewhere, but no, I'm fairly low key. I don't know why you would need all these things that some people want.
On U2's Sphere in Vegas:
It seems to be amazing and I think it's fantastic to see somebody from Ireland like U2 there - they're on the cusp of the whole music scene, they're on the top of the wave… it's just amazing, after all the years doing what they're doing. And they say the show is out of this world so you'd have to be proud of them.
On hologram shows and if there’ll ever be a Daniel O’Donnell hologram:
Do you know at the minute we’re planning on going to the ABBA one in London - it's on our bucket list to do.
But one of me? Oh god no - not at all. Listen, I'll sing as long as I can and that’s enough.
On being asked to take part in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Years ago, I was asked to do that, but I wouldn't - I just wouldn't be able for that, I wouldn’t put myself through it.
But I loved Strictly [he took part in the 2015 series of the UK's Strictly Come Dancing and was the third celebrity to be eliminated]. I was terrified doing Strictly, I have to be honest. It was an amazing experience, but I just could not remember the choreography, I couldn't.
And I love dancing - I love it. I've danced all my life, but the dancing on that, it's just another ball game altogether.
But listen - a great opportunity. It’s a great show, and the Irish one too, and I hope they keep the Irish one going because the Irish one is up there with, and as good as, the one in the UK. It’s just great that we have it on our own television stations too.
Was he ever asked to take part in Eurovision?
No, I wasn’t down through the years. Listen, I wouldn't go to Eurovision now, I suppose, but I love Eurovision - I still watch it and hope that it'll get back to how it was. I think especially the year that Ukraine won it, the English entry was out in its own [Sam Ryder's Space Man].
And there were some very good songs this year too. And the girl that won, when you listen back to it, it was an incredible song - the Swedish entry.
It was definitely all about the song years ago and then it's a bit gimmicky by times now. But I would like Ireland to do well again but I don't know how that'll happen.
On Ireland in the Rugby World Cup:
It's so sad. They did a great job and every night now since they got beat, I sing The Fields of Athenry for them – I sing it in the show as a tribute to them.
They were super. It's just a shame they didn't get through. But listen, what a great lift it is, all these things - I mean be it on the national stage or like when Donegal is in the All-Ireland - it means so much to the people. It really does lift people.
Hopefully again the football team will get through to some big competition, and the girls being away there at the World Cup too, all them things... it's all positive and it's just great.
On dealing with family bereavements this year after the death of his sister Kathleen and his wife Majella’s mother:
Ah sure, we're all doing OK. You just have to go on the best you can. You know, things like that happen in every family and that's just how it is.
Majella’s mum was well, you know, she was older, my sister was a lot younger (67), and I mean for Majella and all of us, it's sad about Marion but Marions's health had disimproved. So I suppose in a way, there's a greater acceptance for a death of an older person who maybe is not in full health.
But Kathleen, my sister... she just died very suddenly. So especially for her own children and her husband, they just... it's just so hard for them. As I said, that happens a lot of people. So what can you do? That's the way.
Was he ever approached to go into politics?
No. Never. I wouldn't have any desire to be honest. I think it's a thankless job. Honest to god... at the end of the day, they can only do so much, and maybe I'm looking for something and they can't give it to me, and then I think they're rubbish. You know what I mean?
If they do something good for you and you think they're great, and then I come along and they just can't do it for me - it's not that they won't - they can't. Then I'm not going to give them my vote. So it's awful hard, you know.
On the mini horror film he starred in 2022, Night of the Daniels:
Well, that came to pass because of the two guys that are in Re-Act Productions, Shaun Duggan and Ciaran McCann, approached me... I suppose it must be maybe four years ago now, to see what I do something with them.
They have this company and they wanted just to get their expertise out there and to see would I do a video with them. And I looked at it, my manager looked at and we said sure, 'Why not?!' So we planned to do it for them - I didn't go to them, they came to me.
It was great fun. A lot of people watched it, and I'm sure it'll get another boost again this year for Halloween.
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Daniel O'Donnell's new album, How Lucky I Must Be, is out now. A special limited signed edition of the album is also available which includes a DVD concert feature.
Tickets for his 2024 gigs go on sale at the start of December.
For a chance to win a copy of the album, visit the RTÉ Entertainment Facebook Page.
