Bridegroom Daniel cries in happiness

DANIEL O’Donnell cried in the chapel.

Overcome by emotion as he arrived for his marriage to mother of two Majella McLennan at his home church in Kincasslagh, the Donegal heart-throb said: “I usually only cry at the applause when I’m not on stage.”

Ever the gentleman, Daniel spent time chatting with fans outside St Mary’s Church before the ceremony at 1pm.

“I know they’ve all travelled so far and it means so much to me,” he said, reaching for a gift from one of his many admirers.

Dressed in a navy velvet coat, matching trousers and gold waistcoat, the crooner was handed a mobile phone by another fan.

“Who’s on it, I can’t hear anyone,” he shouted, handing back the phone.

As Daniel, 41, made his way into the church, his sister Margo emerged from another car to the strains of Going to the Chapel.

“I’m delighted the wedding is here, it’s very special because this is the church where we were all baptised,” Margo said.

Margo, who started her younger brother in the music business, sang How Great Thou Art at the ceremony.

It was celebrated by celebrity priest, Fr Brian D’Arcy and local Curate Fr Pat Ward.

As the 500 guests, including family, friends and neighbours, waited

patiently in the church, the bride’s car finally arrived just after 1.30pm

The dark green Bentley was surrounded by a horde of well wishers as it made its way to the church gates.

“She wasn’t keeping Daniel waiting, it was just that the electronic gates at the house weren’t working and we couldn’t get out,” said the chauffeur.

Wearing a heavily-embroidered ivory dress featuring veil and tiara, Majella also stopped to thank well wishers.

The Tipperary woman, who was previously married to Scottish businessman Raymond McLennan, 41, was escorted by her children, 14-year-old Siobhán and 11-year-old Michael.

Dressed in rust-coloured raw silk bustiers and matching chiffon skirts, the bridesmaids included Majella’s daughter Siobhán and Daniel’s niece Patricia.

“They all look so beautiful, it’s been well worth the trip and the rain,” said Letterkenny fan Maureen Smith.

As expected, Daniel also sang a song during the ceremony.

“It was an amazing version of The Wedding Song, he did us proud,” said Fr Brian D’Arcy.

Daniel’s number one fan, Maire Rua Gallagher, was also present for yesterday’s ceremony.

“I’m losing him today and it will be difficult to get over it, my heart is broken,” she said.

Fur coats, lavender dresses and kilts comprised some of the fashion favourites inside the church.

Outside, hooded coats, winter boots and umbrellas proved the dominant style outside as hundreds of fans battled the elements.

Following the ceremony which ended at 3.00pm the happy couple made a series of stops in various towns to greet fans as they made their way to the lavish reception in Letterkenny’s Holiday Inn Hotel, where a hot cup of tea awaited them.