Daniel and Majella sing in the rain as legendary tea party raises over €18,000 for Relay

Article updated: 7am, to account for growing fundraising total.

The rain never let up for hours, but neither did the generosity, as Daniel and Majella O’Donnell welcomed around 5,000 people to their home for a historic tea party for Relay for Life Donegal.

Thousands of people made their way to Meenbanad on Tuesday for the couple’s special Boil the Kettle fundraiser in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

By the time the event came to a close, more than €18,000 had already been raised, with donations continuing to come in.

The crowds weren’t deterred by the rain, queuing in their droves for a one-on-one chat with the O’Donnells, followed by a very welcome cuppa.

Daniel told the crowd that the weather had made him think of those going through cancer treatment, who would give anything to have the strength to go outside, even on a wet day.

“Majella says it many times. When she was having her chemo treatment, when she would be lying in bed, not knowing whether she wanted to get up or lie down, what she would have given to be able to walk out on a rainy day,” Daniel told the crowd.

The fundraiser was a personal one for the couple, who have supported Relay for Life Donegal since its inaugural event in 2012.

Cancer came to their own door the following year, when Majella was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Daniel also spoke about the loss of his nephew Frankie “Bosco” O’Donnell, son of his brother John Bosco, who passed away last year at the age of 47. Frankie was the eldest grandchild of Daniel’s mother Julia, who was a much-loved part of the original tea parties.

Daniel said the family never imagined they would lose Frankie so young.

“We never, ever thought. I never thought that I would outlive Frankie,” he said.

“So we’re here today because there’ll be other people like Frankie, and if they get a better chance, they might have a better chance.

“He just didn’t get the chance. We thought he would, but he didn’t.”

Daniel O’Donnell entertaining the crowd at his Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life Donegal. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Crowds queue in the rain at Daniel and Majella O’Donnell’s Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad.

Visitors from as far as Cork, Tipperary, even Glasgow, joined the tea party for special reasons.

They came in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. They came as survivors. They came to thank Daniel and Majella for their advocacy, their openness and the comfort they have brought to families over many years, whether through private messages of sympathy and support or Daniel’s music itself.

There were hugs, tears, laughter, selfies and voice messages recorded for loved ones at home.

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Daniel and Majella O’Donnell pictured with guests at their Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life Donegal. Photos: Rachel McLaughlin

Daniel and Majella O’Donnell pictured with Donegal Rose Emma Nelis at their Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life Donegal. Photos: Rachel McLaughlin

Among the milestone moments was the presentation of a €2,500 cheque from a walking fundraiser held by a Tyrone family in memory of Offaly woman Margaret Woods, a devoted Daniel fan who passed away just two weeks short of her 95th birthday.

Her family queued for five hours from the Keadue car park to Daniel’s door to make the donation to Relay for Life Donegal in her memory.

“Mummy will be doing somersaults up there because she was the biggest Daniel fan going,” said her daughter Bernie. “He was very kind to send us a sympathy video when she passed away.”

Daniel and Majella O’Donnell pictured with guests at their Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life Donegal.

Daniel said the idea to revive his famous tea parties of the 80s and 90s came about when local Relay supporters asked if he and Majella might attend a tea day.

“We were thinking about it, and I foolishly said, why did we maybe have it at the house?” Daniel joked.

“At the end of the road this morning, I was saying, I wonder will anybody at all come,” he told the crowd.

Instead, the queues stretched from the garden out the gateway and down the road. Approximately 500 commemorative mugs were sold on the day, adding another boost to the fundraising total.

The event was due to wrap up by 4pm, but the tea was still flowing and the couple were still greeting guests up to 7.45pm. At one point, Daniel joked that he might have to start offering a bed-and-breakfast service.

Majella took the opportunity to tell the many visitors about the importance of self-checking.

“One in two people will have cancer within their lifetime,” Majella said.

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“And always keep checking the girls, and boys keep checking your boys.”

Daniel added: “You’re better going to the doctor and him or her telling you there’s nothing wrong than going and him saying, or her saying, why didn’t you come sooner?”

He added that while sadly not every life can be saved, more and more people are surviving because of research and better treatment developed from money raised through Relay for Life.

Daniel and Majella O’Donnell pictured with guests at their Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life Donegal. Photos: Rachel McLaughlin

Relay for Life Donegal Chairperson Seamus Devine said the turnout was well into the thousands.

“To see so many people here on an awful day, the weather is atrocious, but they’re here, and they’re all happy,” he said.

“They’re getting a photograph. They’re having their cup of tea. And what better way to finish Boil the Kettle?”

The new Boil the Kettle fundraiser brewed up significant funds and awareness this year by encouraging people to host tea and coffee events in their homes, workplaces and communities in support of the Irish Cancer Society.

Committee member Davy Cowan gave great credit to the people who have turned up to the historic tea party today.

“They’re the real heroes today and we couldn’t have an event like this without that type of support,” he said.

“It’s Daniel and Majella who have attracted them here, and we thank them for their continued support.”

Volunteers of the Relay for Life Donegal committee pictured at Daniel and Majella O’Donnell’s Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad.

Daniel O’Donnell entertaining the crowd at his Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life Donegal. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Seamus said Relay for Life Donegal owed a huge debt of gratitude to the couple.

“We owe everything to them,” he said.

“They’ve been involved since 2012 and anything you ask, anything you say, it’s ‘When do you want me to do it? How do you want me to do it?’

“It’s a testament to Daniel’s pulling power that so many people are out the front so far.

“But as a couple, it’s a testament to Daniel and Majella the incredible work people have put in behind the scenes – the volunteers, the marshals and the local community.”

Daniel and Majella O’Donnell pictured with Little Miss Mary from Dungloe 2025 Cora McHugh and reigning Mary from Dungloe Ellie Ward at the Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life Donegal. Photos: Rachel McLaughlin

Ciara Hughes, campaign manager for Relay for Life with the Irish Cancer Society said the impact of the fundraiser would be felt by cancer patients and families in Donegal and across the country.

“We’re so grateful to Daniel and Majella for bringing everyone to their home today to support Relay for Life Donegal,” she said.

“I’m absolutely blown away by the amount of people here, despite the weather not being on our side.”

“The funds raised at Relay for Life helps us to provide vital services to support cancer patients and to invest in research so we can find better outcomes for cancer patients.”

By 5pm, the sun broke through. Daniel, who had already kept spirits high during the downpours with songs including the fitting favourite Our House is a Home, returned to the garden on a brighter note for a final burst of music to round off an unforgettable day for Relay.

Asked if this is the beginning of a revival of the tradition, Daniel was clear that it’s a one-off, for now.

“I don’t know if we could put ourselves through this again and put people through this again if you had a bad day,” he said.

“We need to be grateful for today. Whatever we do again, maybe we’ll have to do it inside,” he laughed.

Donations are still being accepted via:
https://www.relayforlife.ie/event/donegal/donate

Daniel O’Donnell entertaining the crowd at his Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life Donegal. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Daniel and Majella O’Donnell pictured with guests at their Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life Donegal. Photos: Rachel McLaughlin

Daniel O’Donnell entertaining the crowd at his Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life Donegal. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Daniel and Majella O’Donnell pictured with guests at their Boil the Kettle tea party in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life Donegal. Photos: Rachel McLaughlin