By Sarah Mac Donald - 14 December, 2014
The Co Meath parish priest who became an overnight internet sensation following his performance of ‘Hallelujah’ at a couple’s wedding in April 2014, has released a new album.
‘Where I Belong’ includes ‘Together Forever’ (The Wedding Song), as well as classics such as ‘Danny Boy’, ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘How Great Thou Art’ and pop tunes such as ‘Everybody Hurts’ and ‘Hallelujah’.
It was Fr Kelly’s rendition of the powerful ballad ‘Hallelujah’, which is synonymous with Leonard Cohen and the late Jeff Buckley, which got over 38 million views on YouTube.
The new album was released on 5 December 2014 through Universal Music.
In a press release Universal Music said, “Fr Ray was appointed as Parish Priest in Oldcastle in 2006. He was often asked to sing at local events, but never thought it would lead to anything, until he sang at the wedding of Chris and Leah O’Kane.”
The album, which entered the Irish charts at number 4, is available in music stores nationwide.
Fr Kelly will also be appearing on stage at the Olympia Theatre on Thursday, 19 February and he has said any money he makes will go to charity and to his family.
According to Universal Music, Fr Ray has made it clear that he isn’t giving up his job as parish priest of Oldcastle, Co Meath.
In fact to record his album, his producers built a recording booth in the lounge of his house, so that he could attend to his parish duties.
