Rosie O’Donnell Reveals She Has Moved to Ireland with Her Daughter Dakota, and Shares Her Personal Journey
Comedian and television personality Rosie O’Donnell has confirmed that she is no longer living in the United States. The actress, best known for her talk show hosting and acting career, posted a TikTok video on March 11, 2025, revealing that she and her 12-year-old daughter, Dakota, made the life-changing move to Ireland on January 15, 2025. The announcement came just days after O’Donnell hinted at her relocation abroad with an Instagram post, sparking curiosity among her followers.
In the TikTok video, O’Donnell shared her joy and gratitude about the move, describing her new life in Ireland as “pretty wonderful.” She spoke highly of the welcoming nature of the people in Ireland, expressing how kind and loving they have been since her arrival. “The people are so loving and so kind, so welcoming. And I’m very grateful,” O’Donnell stated, clearly appreciative of the warm reception she and her daughter have received.
@rosie hello all – here’s whats been going on folks – sending love ❤️- follow me on substack – link in my bio #bewell #speakkindlytoyourself #dourbest ♬ original sound – Rosie ODonnell
O’Donnell, who is currently in the process of obtaining Irish citizenship due to her grandparents’ Irish heritage, took the opportunity to reflect on the motivations behind her decision to move. “I was never someone who thought I would move to another country,” O’Donnell admitted. “But I decided that this was the best decision for myself and my 12-year-old child. And here we are.”
As the mother-daughter duo settles into their new home, O’Donnell acknowledged the emotional complexities of her move. She shared that while she is happy in Ireland, she misses her other children, her friends, and many aspects of her life back in the United States. “You know, I’m happy. Clay is happy. I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home,” O’Donnell confessed. “But I’m trying to find a home here in this beautiful country.”
The comedian also made it clear that she and her family are considering returning to the United States once “it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there.” This statement seemed to be a reference to the ongoing political climate in the U.S., particularly the changes that began after the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2017. O’Donnell expressed her personal heartbreak over the direction the country has taken politically, stating, “It’s been heartbreaking to see what’s happening politically, and hard for me personally as well. The personal is political, as we all know.”
O’Donnell’s move to Ireland follows the trend of several celebrities choosing to live abroad for various reasons, including political climate and personal well-being. In the same TikTok video, she shared that everyone she has met in Dublin, where she currently resides, has been incredibly friendly. In the nearly two months since her move, she has already met a number of new people, although she felt the need to share the news with her fans. “I just felt like we needed to take care of ourselves and make some hard decisions and follow through,” O’Donnell explained. “And now, as we’re getting settled, I was ready to post this and to tell everybody what’s been going on.”
The comedian also took a moment to apologize to her followers who had been worried about her absence, saying, “I’m sorry for those of you who were worried and who missed me.” Her heartfelt message resonated with fans, and O’Donnell emphasized the importance of protecting one’s mental health in such turbulent times. “Protect your sanity, is all I can say. Protect your sanity as much as you can, and try not to swim in the chaos if possible,” she advised her audience. “But I know it’s nearly impossible when you’re there in the middle of it.”
As the video drew to a close, O’Donnell shared an optimistic and hopeful message for her fans. “And I think about everyone every day and the United States of America. And I am hoping that we can turn things around, counting on you, all of you, to do what’s right. And I think deep down inside, we all know what that is,” she concluded.
O’Donnell’s confirmation of her relocation to Ireland came after she had teased the move in a series of Instagram posts on March 7. In one post, she shared a selfie taken inside a car with a caption that humorously mentioned she had “bought a little used car to tool around the countryside on the wrong side of the road,” which hinted at her new life abroad. She also posted a photo of her daughter, Dakota, sitting in the backseat of the car with her school backpack, further suggesting that the O’Donnell family had embarked on a new chapter of their lives in Ireland.
For more updates on Rosie O’Donnell’s life and her exciting move to Ireland, stay tuned for more updates as she continues to share her journey with her fans.
