The Priests are returning to Tipperary to support a very special cause

Back by popular demand, The Priests are returning to the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles on Friday, September 29, as the fundraising activities to Raise the Roof continue at pace.

Following a brilliant performance in the same setting back in 2019, the three friends, who won many admirers for their brilliance in Thurles, pledged that they would return to the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly to relive all the highlights of that show.

And they have remained good to their word with the parish of Thurles, and the Archdiocese is delighted to host them again.

Tickets are now available at the Parish Office, Cathedral Street, Thurles (0504 22229) or at Bookworm, Liberty Square, Thurles (0504 22257).

Tickets are also available from the Parish Office, Holycross (0504 43124) and Cashel Parish Office (062 622000. Ticket donation: €35.

These men have shared the stage with two Popes (Pope Francis and Pope Benedict) and have performed for the likes of Prince Charles and other notable personalities.

But, they absolutely love travelling around Ireland to perform in landmark settings such as the Cathedral of the Assumption, where their charm and charisma are much admired, liked and welcomed. Indeed, they were bowled over by the warmth of the welcome in Thurles, where the old Town Council motto of Fleadh agus Failte was very much in evidence despite the demise of that local institution long since.

All proceeds from this latest performance will be going towards the fundraising initiative to replace the roof of the Cathedral of the Assumption.

The roof has been ailing in recent times and needs substantial investment in order to preserve the integrity of the beautiful Cathedral of which the people of the Archdiocese and Parish of Thurles are so proud. Already a number of events have been hosted in the Cathedral and in St Joseph and St Brigid’s Church, Bóthar na Naomh in a bid to build up a fund for the major works to be undertaken.

The Very Reverend Eugene O’Hagan, alongside his singing brother Fr Martin O'Hagan and their friend, Fr David Delargy, performed for Pope Francis during his visit to Dublin for the World Meeting of Families.

And previously, The Priests shared the stage at London’s Hyde Park with Pope Benedict XVI during his 2010 visit to the UK.

They have also performed for Prince Charles, and have become one of the best-known classical trios on the planet- especially when it comes to performing sacred music and popular anthems.

The trio have been singing together since they boarded in the 1970s as students at St MacNissi's College in Antrim.

After signing a deal with SonyBMG in April 2008, the priests, all from the Diocese of Down & Connor, recorded their debut album, The Priests in Northern Ireland and Rome, with the unusual honour of having been allowed to record in St. Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican.

The Priests album was released by Epic Records and has since been released worldwide in over thirty countries and preceded by an ITV documentary and PBS special in the United States. In December 2008, they scooped the Guinness World Record for the fastest-selling UK debut for a classical act.

The debut album turned seven times platinum in Ireland and platinum in the UK, Sweden, and Norway, as well as going gold in New Zealand, Canada and Spain.

The group’s concert schedule does not follow the usual band format as clauses in their bespoke contract places emphasis on them continuing their pastoral work in their respective parishes and in the Diocese of Down & Connor.

Their second album entitled Harmony was released in November 2009 and has reaped platinum awards in Ireland and Sweden, where the album reached the number one spot in the Swedish charts just before Christmas 2009.

The trio completed a very successful concert tour of the UK & Ireland playing to packed houses and ending with a homecoming concert in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

The trio’s first Christmas album, Noel was released in November 2010.

The album debuted at three on the US Top Classical Albums Chart and 18 on the Top Christian Albums Chart. In Canada, the album charted on 100 on the Canadian Albums Chart and eight on the Canadian Classical Albums Chart. In 2010 they released an autobiography, Soul Song: Reflections On An Unexpected Journey.

They followed up in April 2012 with Then Sings My Soul - The Best Of The Priests featuring one new song: Danny Boy, and they continue to tour successfully in Europe, Canada and the USA.

In early 2015 The Priests re-signed their recording contract with Sony Music.

The album entitled Alleluia was recorded in 2016 and released last November - by the end of the month, the original supply in the US had sold out.

Rev Father Jim Purcell, PP, Thurles is really looking forward to the concert:

“We had a magnificent evening in the Cathedral back in 2019, and we are certainly looking forward to more of the same.

“Our three friends were very popular, and they loved performing in Thurles, so it seemed only natural that they would return, especially considering the demand for them to do so.

“Of course, we are continuing to work towards building up that fund to commence the work on the roof of the Cathedral, and people have been most generous in helping us out.

“Our Raise the Roof Lotto continues each week, and events such as the upcoming concert also helps greatly. Others too are organising events locally with the proceeds going towards the fund, and we really appreciate the efforts and generosity of everyone involved,” said Fr Purcell.

There is great excitement about The Priests coming to Thurles again, so make sure to book your tickets now.

If you were there back in 2019, you will surely wish to return again.

But, if you missed that wonderful concert, now is your chance to get along and witness a truly unique experience.