Tyrrellspass-born priest recalls Britain’s Got Talent journey in new book

A Tyrrellspass-born priest who shot to fame in 2014 when his bespoke rendition of the Leonard Cohen hit ‘Hallelujah’ went viral on YouTube is to publish a biography.

Fr Ray Kelly, who followed his online fame with a memorable journey to the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2018, just missing out on a place in the final.

In his first book, also entitled ‘Hallelujah’, recounts his rise to stardom while managing his daily duties as a parish priest in Oldcastle. With this very personal reflection, Fr Ray hopes to inspire readers with the moving story of a priest who combined his passion for singing with his mission to serve others.

It all started five years ago, when Fr Ray surprised a couple at a wedding by rewriting and performing one of the late Leonard Cohen’s greatest hits to suit the occasion. The video went viral online and landed the Westmeath native an international record deal.

However, it was his stint as a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent, where he auditioned with a heartfelt version of REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts’, which truly brought his talents to the attention of millions, earning him a global fanbase who rooted for him at every stage of the contest. His new fans included BGT judge Simon Cowell, who described his initial audition as one of the best he had ever witnessed.

Despite going from his usual routine of Sunday Masses and parish meetings to appearing on talk shows, giving concerts and international press briefings almost overnight, Fr Ray never lost touch with the boy who grew up in Tyrrellspass. This grounded outlook on life shines through in this emotional account of Fr Ray’s meteoric rise.

A member of the St Patrick’s Society for the Foreign Missions, Fr Ray continues to balance parish life in Oldcastle with a busy music career, for which his producers built a state-of-the-art recording studio at the parochial house.

‘Hallelujah’ is published by Columba Books, and retails at €16.99.