Co Donegal singer Daniel O’Donnell has paid tribute to his sister, Kathleen Doogan, following her sudden death at the family home on Friday morning.
The Kincasslagh-born performer said "we are in shock and heart broken."
He told the Sunday World that he suspected a massive heart attack had killed his 67-year-old sister.
“Our entire family is in shock because it was so sudden,” Daniel said. “Trish (Kathleen’s daughter) and her young children had been staying with Kathleen and her husband, John, for a couple of days.
“Kathleen had been up early that morning and had given the wee ones a bath and dried their hair. She had made a shopping list and then went to wash her hair before going to SuperValu with Trish. The list is still on the table.
“It happened so quickly, there was no warning. Kathleen hadn’t been sick. She was well that morning, doing normal things. That’s why it’s so hard to take in.”
He added that she had been nothing but supportive of his career.
“She had endless energy and would go to the ends of the earth for me. Recently, when I said I was going to Creeslough to sing at the Mass, she was there ready for the road to take me. If I had to go to Dublin afterwards, she would go to Dublin with me, if I needed the drive.
Funeral Mass for Kathleen will take place at 11am in St Mary’s Church, Kincasslagh.
