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Daniel bids emotional farewell
to fans
08.12.14
SINGER Daniel O'Donnell
will bid an emotional farewell to fans worldwide
tonight as he finishes his final tour before
embarking on an extended break from music.
The Donegal entertainer who won't tour again until
2016, takes to the stage this evening at a concert
venue near Niagara Falls, Canada.
His 18-month sabbatical comes in the same week as
his birthday - he turns 53 on Friday.
He told shocked fans earlier this year that he would
stop touring for a significant period after
realising that "life is short". The decision came
after his wife Majella's breast cancer diagnosis and
the subsequent sudden death of her father Tom Roche.
His own beloved mother Julia (94) has also since
passed away. |
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Daniel O'Donnell at Niagara Falls,
Canada. |
Daniel said he and
Majella (54) took the decision together after
reflecting on the uncertainty of life.
"Through all of this we had a lot of time to reflect
and take stock of things and it makes us realise
that life is short," he said.
"For me this was a very big decision but there are a
number of things that Majella and I want to do and
even if we live to be 90, which I hope we do, I
don’t want to have to say 'I wish we took the time
to do such and such'.”
Daniel will among the singers at a charity gig later
this month in Ballybofey. He will honour a
rescheduled charity concert for Dungloe Hospital in
May and a pre-arranged sold-out Caribbean cruise
residency in February.
But fans worldwide will now have to wait until
Summer 2016 before he begins touring again. He will
kick-off his post-sabbatical tour with a residency
at the INEC in Killarney, Co Kerry, in August 2016.
The Kincasslagh man is currently celebrating having
an album in the UK charts for an incredible 27 years
in a row.
He said he has received “overwhelming” support from
fans on his decision to take time away from the
spotlight. He said many have told him to “‘go and
enjoy (yourself) and we'll be here when you come
back’”.
He is delighted with the support he has received
from fans on his decision to take time out of the
spotlight. |
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