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Family dynamics

13th Oct 2019

Daniel O’Donnell broke it off with Majella years ago – because she was a divorcee

Jade Hayden

Harsh, man.

Daniel O’Donnell split up with Majella years ago – because she was a divorcee.

The pair had been going out for just six months when Daniel decided that he wanted to end things due to his staunchly Catholic upbringing.

However, the country singer eventually realised that he loved Majella more than he loved strict religious teachings.

And so, they decided to get back together.

He told My Weekly Magazine that it didn’t take him all that long to figure out what he wanted.

“There was a lot to be considered and I stepped away for a bit,” he said.

“It was a bit hard for me to come to terms with it because of my religious faith, but I got over that fairly quickly. I realised it was right for me to be happy.”

Daniel and Majella met in 1999 in Tenerife. He later married the mother-of-two in his hometown of Kincasslagh, Co Donegal in 2002.

He said that watching his wife’s children grow up – and eventually have children of their own – has been quite the blessing.

“The children have been a joy to me,” he said.

“Their father is very much a part of their lives, but there was never any friction there. Now Siobhan [Majella’s daughter] has two children and I love to see them.

“I feel it’s time to get a different balance, so next year I’m taking a lot more time off. I just want to have time to enjoy the grandchildren and to be able to do things at the drop of the hat.”

Daniel revealed last year that he was planning on taking a step back from touring to focus on his family and on his health.

“I’d love to continue performing, and I don’t ever see myself saying ‘I’m retired’, but maybe more free time is what I’m looking to now – to slow down,” he said.