Seven Deadly Sins: Daniel O'Donnell reveals all, from his indulgences to his wrath

Since releasing My Donegal Shore in 1983, Daniel O’Donnell has gone on to enjoy a hugely successful career.

While spending time in Tenerife and continuing to tour, Donegal is still home to the global star and his wife Majella. Indeed, the name Daniel O’Donnell is synonymous with Donegal, and he is as proud of our beautiful county and its people as we are of him.

But what are his indulgences? His pride and joy? What makes him stamp his foot? Daniel tells Donegal Life’s Siobhan McNamara all about his Seven Deadly Sins.

LUST: Who or what are you lusting after and why?

I’m a devil for chocolate!

GLUTTONY: What would you happily eat or drink till you burst?

In Teneriffe there is a Chinese restaurant I walked to and had satay chicken and rice, and I came back and said to Majella, ‘that is my favourite thing ever to eat.’

But years ago if I had been away, what I would want most is Doherty’s mince and potatoes. My mother was a great one for the mince and potatoes. The potatoes would be made separately and mashed, and the mince and the gravy and onions were in another pot. It tasted gorgeous.

GREED: What are your favourite indulgences?

I love chocolate with a packet of crisps. It has to be a bar of Dairy Milk, and cheese and onion crisps. And I love those Guylain chocolates, the ones that are like sea shells.

SLOTH: What’s your perfect downtime?

Two things I love are bridge and golf. I always wanted to play bridge but didn’t start till 2016 when I went to classes. I absolutely love it.

The golf breaks my heart - one day you’re great and the next day you’re a sight! In the summertime I go to Cruit Island Golf Club. It’s a nine hole course but the scenery is comparable and better than anywhere I have been. The course is in top notch condition. It is a great addition to our well-being, having this on our doorstep.

WRATH: What really makes you stamp your foot?

What I really don’t like is, on Facebook and that type of thing, when people have a comment about everybody and everything and a lot of it is negative.

ENVY: What do you not have but that would really like?

I never had a UK number one single and that probably won't happen now!

I wouldn’t mind Sam Maguire coming back to Donegal. There is no one thing that unites the county like football. I was lucky to be in Dublin in 1992 and 2012, and in Donegal Town when they came home in 2012. I would give up the number one record for Sam. More people would benefit!

PRIDE: What are you most proud of and why?

We are so proud of the grandchildren. I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career and with all the nice things that have happened to me, but when you see the grandchildren and their achievements, and how excited they are, it is a beautiful pride.

And I’m very proud to be from Donegal. Covid brought Donegal to Irish people who hadn’t ever been and they couldn’t believe what was here - the simplicity, the scenery, and there’s a peace about Donegal and an aura. We are so blessed.

READ NEXT: "At Rossano's, our mantra is ‘We care, we appreciate all our customers’”

This feature appeared in the April May issue Donegal Life magazine earlier this year. The current issue is in shops now, packed with a fantastic selection of local interviews, travel, food and drink, entertainment and more.