.
Tralee musician John O’Shea and his granddaughter Katie Ross on fiddle entertaining Daniel O’Donnell and his fans at Recovery Haven on Saturday morning. Also pictured with Daniel are Carmel and Aoife Ross.
IT’S not every day that your hard work gets the seal of approval from one of the country’s leading celebrities, but on Saturday morning renowned crooner Daniel O’Donnell was full of praise for the work of cancer support charity Recovery Haven Kerry, when he visited the centre while on a visit to Tralee.
The visit was one of a number of calls the Donegal singer made to Tralee community groups ahead of his five night stint at the INEC – much to the delight of the centre’s clients and volunteers, who eagerly turned out to meet their favourite entertainer.
After taking a tour of the facilities and gardens and hearing about the wonderful free services offered at Recovery Haven Kerry, Daniel then met with his awaiting fans, happily posing for pictures and chatting with clients, some of whom who told him of their personal cancer journey and the comfort they received at Recovery Haven.
Continued below…
.
The subject matter was of course very personal to the singer, whose wife Majella quite publically overcame her own battle with cancer a number of years ago.
Genuinely impressed with the services offered by Recovery Haven and the positivity shown by those who have benefitted from the service, Daniel paid a heartfelt tribute to everyone involved.
“Although we never want to have to use places like these, it’s inevitable that at times, when you least expect it, they can become the centre of your world,” he said. “It makes you realise that there are a lot of people here to shoulder you up when you’re not able to stand straight yourself. It creates such a positive situation at what could be a very negative – and probably at times – a very dark period for people.”
He said that from the short time he spent walking through Recovery Haven and meeting the people involved, he immediately felt its impact.
“When you walk into places like this you feel the positivity. Even today walking into the [therapy] rooms – even though there’s nobody in it – you feel a calmness and you can feel that good things happen in this place,” he said. “These spaces are so important. Those of you who have used them, you know better than I know what they mean to you, so well done to all the people who make it happen.”
After enjoying a cuppa and some music by local musician John O’Shea and his family, Daniel gladly treated his fans to a rendition of Tipperary Town, which went down a treat with everyone, who happily sang along.
Afterwards, Recovery Haven Kerry manager Siobhan MacSweeney thanked Daniel for taking time out of his hectic schedule to visit the centre and meet with clients, adding that his kind words of support meant the world to everyone involved. Scroll down for photos…
Sisters Christine McAuliffe and Liz O’Halloran meeting Daniel O’Donnell on his visit to Recovery Haven on Saturday morning.
.
Daniel O’Donnell chatting to little Sophie Leen about her broken hand with her mum Jacinta Bradley during his visit to Recovery Haven Kerry on Saturday.
Hanna O’Connell meeting Daniel on a visit to Recovery Haven on Saturday morning.
.
Recovery Haven founder Marian Barnes (right) and Kathleen McDonagh meeting Daniel at Recovery Haven on Saturday.
Members of the Recovery Haven Kerry team were thrilled to welcome Daniel O’Donnell to the centre on Saturday morning. L-R Noreen OFlaherty, Marisa Reidy, Siobhan MacSweeney, Marian Barnes, Eileen McKenna, Liz Mannix and Joe Moynihan.
