Dolly Parton Has Piece Of Irish Sporting History Hanging In Her Home

Dolly Parton and Kerry GAA are the two worlds we never thought would collide.

The blonde country music sensation apparently has a special place in her heart and home for the Kingdom, with an important piece of Irish sporting memorabilia taking pride of place in her abode.

The Jolene singer recently recalled a trip to Ireland back in 1990, revealing her chance encounter with late GAA legend Páidí Ó Sé.

Dolly Parton and Kerry GAA are two world’s we never thought would collide, but low and behold, they go hand in hand. Pic: Andrew Lipovsky/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

During a chance trip to Kerry, the songstress found herself visiting a pub owned by the late sporting star.

Looking to make the country singer feel right at home, Páidí gifter her his own jersey which he wore when he captained the Kerry team to win the All Ireland in 1985.

‘It hasn’t been washed since’, Páidí joked as Dolly quickly responded, ‘I was hoping it would still have some sweat in it.’

In a recent interview on RTÉ Radio 1’s Liveline with Katie Hannon, Dolly revealed the significance her time in Ireland and the iconic gift holds for her.

‘I have that jersey in a frame, hanging in my basement which is my recreation room where I have my games and all that,’ she said.

‘Everybody asks about that big green jersey and I’m very, very proud of it. I kept it and when I brought it home, I put it up on that wall and it’s been there ever since.’

The blonde bombshell apparently has a special place in her heart and home for the Kingdom, with an important piece of Irish sporting memorabilia taking pride of place in her abode. Pic: RTE Radio 1.

Sharing a further connection with Ireland, Dolly revealed that she ‘always felt connected’ to Sinead O’Connor and admitted she ‘hated to hear’ of the singer’s death.

The Nothing Compares 2 U star passed away in July, aged just 56, leaving the music industry and fans stunned.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 following her passing, Parton regaled her fond thoughts of the Irish singer, sharing that ‘she was very, very sweet.’

The 77-year-old said: ‘I know that she had a real hard life but you could tell that in her music; you could tell what all that she went through and sometimes that makes the best singers — people that live what they’re singing about.’