“AN overnight sensation, 30 years in the making – The Priests’.
Who could have predicted that an unknown singing group of priests from Northern Ireland, Fathers Eugene O’Hagan and Martin O’Hagan, who are brothers, and David Delargy would become million sellers?
Their debut album The Priests, and a second recording Harmony, have sold over 2mn copies in more than 40 countries. Frs O’Hagan and Delargy have topped the charts all over the world from New Zealand to Norway.
It was at St. MacNissi’s College near Carnlough in Antrim, where Father Eugene O’Hagan, Father Martin O’Hagan and Father David Delargy met for the first time and realised their musical prowess as a singing trio. Nicknamed Holy, Holy, Holy by their peers due to their shared determination to enter the priesthood, it was another priest at their school who first noticed how talented they actually were.
After 20 years of being parish priests, Frs Eugene, Martin and David’s talent was soon recognised by Sony Music after a scout sent a demo to Sony’s head office. They signed a contract on the steps of Westminster Abbey in April 2008. The Priests were adamant to never allow their music commitments to stand in the way of their day jobs and parish obligations, and this is written into their contract.
Since the release of their first album, The Priests have scooped the Guinness World Record for ‘Fastest-selling UK debut for a classical act’ and have been nominated for two Classical Brits.
They have played in venues across the world, playing live to 3,000 people in Sydney and to 6,000 people at a homecoming gig in Belfast in June 2009. Other accolades include a personal invitation to sing for The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall as well as a performance in the presence of Mary McAleese and HM The Queen, for a peace and reconciliation charity.
See www.uch.ie for ticket cost and allocation details.
Their rise to global stardom has been documented across the world, including headline features in the Washington Post, Time Magazine and Observer Music Monthly. They have appeared on TV shows worldwide with artists from Tom Jones to The Killers including the The Late Late Show, BBC’s coveted Jonathan Ross Show and the News at Ten with Sir Trevor MacDonald.
Join The Priests and their orchestra for a concert not to be missed!
University Concert Hall Saturday June 12 at 8pm Tickets: €36 / Conc. €33 / Balconies €30 (Booking fee applies) Booking: 061 331549 / www.uch.ie
