Majella O'Donnell

Majella O'Donnell
Born	Majella Roche (1960-04-14) 14 April 1960 (age 64)
Nationality	Irish
Occupation(s)	Singer, businesswoman, charity campaigner
Spouses	Raymond McLennan ​ (annulled)​ Daniel O'Donnell ​ (m. 2002)​

Majella O'Donnell (born Majella Roche, 14 April 1960)[1] is an Irish singer, businesswoman and charity campaigner from Thurles, County Tipperary.[2][3] She came to public attention upon her engagement to singer Daniel O'Donnell. A survivor of cancer, she has raised money for the Irish Cancer Society.[4]

Early life

O'Donnell is the daughter of Tom and Marion Roche,[5] and was raised in Thurles, County Tipperary.[6] Her parents owned a bar in Tenerife.[5][6]

Her marriage to her first husband, Raymond McLennan, was annulled.[7][8] They had two children together.[7] She went by her married name, Majella McLennan, until her second marriage.[9]

She met singer Daniel O'Donnell in September 1999 in Tenerife.[10] They married on 4 November 2002.[11]

Career

O'Donnell's home in Meenbanad, County Donegal

In 2015, O'Donnell and her husband produced Daniel and Majella's B&B Road Trip, a travel series for RTÉ.[12] She has appeared as a guest on The Late Late Show, on RTÉ One, Loose Women on ITV1,[13] and Angela Scanlon's Ask Me Anything on RTÉ 2.[14] O'Donnell has release two albums, At Last in 2006 and ...By Request in 2010. She performed a duet with Daniel on his PBS special "Can You Feel The Love".[15] According to her husband, O'Donnell has been approached to compete in Dancing with the Stars.[16]

Active on Twitter, O'Donnell spoke against the actions of Eamonn Holmes following the resignation of^[broken anchor] Phillip Schofield from ITV,[17] and the publicity around the unfounded investigation into family friend Cliff Richard.[18]

Cancer diagnosis

In 2013 O'Donnell announced that she was battling breast cancer.[2][1] In the week she commenced chemotherapy, she had her head shaved live on The Late Late Show as a fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society, raising over €350,000.[19][20] She underwent a double mastectomy.[16]

Personal life

O'Donnell and her husband live in Meenbannad, County Donegal, and spend time at their second home in Tenerife.[21]

She has three grandchildren.[22]

O'Donnell has spoken of her issues with depression, and of art as a way of coping when overwhelmed.[20][23]

Discography

• At Last 2006[24]
• ...By Request 2010[25]

Bibliography

• O'Donnell, Majella (2015). It's All in the Head , 2015. Simon & Schuster UK. ISBN 978-1471138959.

References

1. "Majella O'Donnell celebrates birthday". InishowenNews.com.
2. Wade, Jennifer (27 July 2013). "Daniel O'Donnell asks for prayers as wife Majella diagnosed with cancer". TheJournal.ie.
3. Ramsbottom, Pauric (27 December 2023). "2023 Remembered: Growing friendship sees Daniel and Majella O'Donnell open Rathdowney community gardens".
4. McLaughlin, Rachel (25 January 2023). "Majella O'Donnell named as a Global Hero of Hope for cancer patients". DonegalWoman.ie.
5. "Daniel O'Donnell's wife Majella heartbroken after death of mother Marion". Independent.ie. 19 September 2023.
6. O’Callaghan, Helen (12 September 2022). "Keys to My Life review: Memories flood back for Majella O'Donnell in Thurles". IrishExaminer.com.
7. McGowan, Sharon (14 October 2014). "Majella O'Donnell: "My ex-husband cheated on me the night before our wedding"". Irish Mirror.
8. "Unofficial Daniel O'Donnell website". DanielODonnell.org.uk. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
9. Fahy, Jim (4 November 2002). "Daniel O'Donnell Marries Majella McLennan". RTÉ News – via RTÉ Archives.
10. "'I knew I was going to marry Daniel even though we'd only met each other twice,' says Majella O'Donnell". SundayWorld.com. 10 February 2024.
11. "Playing My Song; Majella Makes Her Album Move". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
12. Daly, Ailbhe (10 May 2018). "Daniel O'Donnell releases raunchy teaser for new series of B&B Road Trip". Irish Mirror.
13. "WATCH: Majella O'Donnell Mortifies hubby Daniel O'Donnell on Loose Women". Goss.ie.
14. "Majella O'Donnell on tattoos: 'I have one on my bum!'". RTÉ.ie. 14 April 2023.
15. "Arts & Entertainment". Sentinel Tribune. 2 June 2007. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "Daniel O'Donnell Responds To Rumours He And Majella Will Be On Dancing With The Stars". Extra.ie. 16 November 2023.
17. Mallon, Sandra (6 June 2023). "Majella O'Donnell tells Eamonn Holmes to 'shut up' in Twitter rant". Irish Mirror.
18. Roantree, Megan (9 August 2018). "Cliff Richard praises Daniel and Majella for their friendship during tough times". Vipmagazine.ie.
19. McGreevy, Ronan (16 September 2013). "Majella O'Donnell appeal raises €400,000 for cancer group". The Irish Times.
20. Kate, Mary (4 December 2016). "Exclusive: A chat with Majella O'Donnell - Donegal Woman".
21. "Daniel O'Donnell ties the knot". BBC News. 4 November 2002.
22. "First family photo of Majella and Daniel O'Donnell with grandchild Olivia". Irish Independent. 7 August 2015. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
23. McLoughlin, Laura (11 August 2023). "Majella O'Donnell apologises for offence caused by her art". Donegal News.
24. "Majella O'Donnell – At Last (2006, CD) - Discogs". Discogs.
25. "Majella O'Donnell - ...By Request | Releases | Discogs". Discogs.

External links

• Majella O'Donnell on Twitter