Singing priests for unique evening at Galway Cathedral

There’s nothing new about priests coming to Galway Cathedral – unless they happen to be an internationally acclaimed trio of clerics who have sold over three and a half million albums of their music around the world!

And that’s what’s happening on Sunday, August 16, at 8pm when the classical musical trio from Northern Ireland come to Galway for the first time.

The platinum selling group which is made up of three Catholic priests from Northern Ireland will perform as part of the Cathedral’s Jubilee celebrations.

Fr Eugene O’Hagan and his younger brother, Fr Martin, are originally from the village of Claudy in Derry while Fr David Delargy is from Ballymena, Co Antrim.

The trio have been singing together since they boarded in the 1970s as students at St MacNissi’s College, Garron Tower, Co Antrim. They were nicknamed Holy Holy Holy by their peers such was their shared determination to enter the priesthood – and followed their vocational training at the Seminary in Belfast.

They also studied at Queen’s and completed their studies at the Irish College in Rome. And it was there that Fr Eugene enrolled for singing lessons with the Maestro Sergio Ballani – the trio were invited by Pope John Paul II’s then-secretary Monsignor John Magee – later Bishop of Cloyne – to sing for the Pope on numerous occasions.

They returned to Ireland and took up full-time Ministries – but the music also took them down a very different path.

After signing a deal with Sony BMG in April 2008, their self entitled album ‘The Priests’ was recorded in Northern Ireland and Rome, with the unusual honour of having been allowed to record in St. Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican.

The Priests have now recorded three additional albums and a written a book recounting the story of their musical journey together.

To date The Priests have sold three and a half million records worldwide.

“We are delighted to have The Priests perform a concert in Galway Cathedral. This is a big year for us as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our Cathedral,” said Fr Martin Whelan of Galway Cathedral.

“Having such wonderful artists sing in the Cathedral makes this Jubilee year extra special. We hope the people of Galway will enjoy this event and be part of our celebrations,” he added.

Patrons are asked to be seated by 7.45pm for an 8pm sharp start. Tickets, €25 for main nave and €15 for side and back naves, are available now at the Cathedral Book Shop and Parish Office.