The Wizard of Oz

Donegal has its very own “Wizard of Oz” packing houses throughout the Southern Hemisphere as this 30 strong contingent continue on their sell out tour of New Zealand and Australia.

Affectionately known as Donegal’s greatest ambassador Daniel O’Donnell had his own encounter with our own Irish Ambassador in Canberra last week as the Kincasslagh crooner had to make a last minute dash from Sydney to Canberra after realising that he had lost his passport just as he was about to head to New Zealand for his first show.

While our diplomatic team looked after the replacement documents, Ambassador Noel White and Daniel enjoyed a great pot of Barry’s tea at the Ambassador’s official residence.

To date the tour has been a sellout. playing to packed houses in New Zealand before arriving in Australia again last week where they have been meeting with hundreds of Donegal people in every corner of the country.

Just last weekend Daniel and Majella met up with hundreds from the county in Melbourne who were all anxious to get the latest score from Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney - rumour has it that Daniel said nothing until the end of the show! No point in ruining a good night!

Perhaps the singer’s greatest experience to date was meeting up with a person who surely must be his greatest fan and without doubt, the oldest person ever to attend one of his shows.

The 109 year old. Sr, Madeline has been a Daniel fan for more years than she can remember and took in every minute of what was a great show in Melbourne.

A spokesperson for the group said, “Everywhere we go we see the Donegal jersey - in one way its sad to see so many of our young people out here but on the other hand, they really are all doing exceptionally well and I would think that when things get better at home they will indeed return home bringing back a wealth of new found experience.

“We are now all looking forward to a really great St. Patrick’s weekend in Brisbane where we are looking forward to meeting up with many Donegal friends and bring a little bit of home to their new doorsteps!”

SEE THE DONEGAL DEMOCRAT AND DONEGAL PEOPLE’S PRESS NEXT TUESDAY FOR COVERAGE OF BRISBANE’S ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS.