When Irish eyes are smiling…
Mary Duff
He’s been hailed as a national treasure back home in Ireland, and one of the country’s main cultural exports. Daniel O’Donnell, the Irish singer known for his country and Irish folk music together with Mary Duff was on a second visit to another emerald isle this week performing for a packed audience at the BMICH on March 28 and 29.
When the Sunday Times met the duo earlier this week before their big performances, O’Donnell spoke of how he was blown away by the crowds’ enthusiasm when he first performed here in 2014. “They knew all the songs and were singing it along with us, not just the chorus,” he says, clearly still surprised. “I’ve never heard an audience sing so loudly.”
O’Donnell shot to fame in the 1990s when his song ‘I Just Want to Dance With You’ hit the UK’s singles chart. Since then he has been building popularity throughout the UK, Ireland, USA, and Australia. Best known for his original songs ‘My Donegal Shore’, ‘God’s plan’, and ‘Footsteps’, O’Donnell also perfoms several American country hits by legends such as Jim Reeves and Hank Williams, in his show. “I love the traditional country songs,” he declares.
Since 1998 he has been releasing a new album each year, and in 2015 he became the first artist to have charted at least one new album in the UK charts for 28 consecutive years. His latest album consists of live performances, and contains both his hits of yesteryear and newer releases.
It’s widely known that after each show O’Donnell makes it a point to meet and greet his fans. He tells us that this tradition stems from his Irish background. Traditionally after the folk dances, the musicians would engage with the audience from the edge of the stage. “If you go somewhere and meet nobody you might as well have not been (there). It’s the people who you meet who make an impression on you,” he stresses. Due to time constraints some meetings are brief, but he relishes the interaction nonetheless. Talking of his experience the last time he visited the island, he recalls, “The audience was unbelievable. They were very welcoming. It wasn’t like meeting strangers.”
Daniel O’Donnell
O’Donnell and Duff have been performing together for over 30 years now. Originally Duff was his opening act, but they found that they work better as a duo. “I’m the filler now,” O’Donnell quips.
Nothing beats the enjoyment of being on stage and performing according to O’Donnell, and with each show his aim is to please the audience. Even willing to take suggestions from the crowd mid concert, it’s little wonder his shows can span three hours, with still not enough time to meet all requests. “The problem is finishing,” he says laughing.