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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
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{{about|the Irish Catholic priest|other people with the same name|Raymond Kelly (disambiguation)}}
{{Short description|Irish Catholic priest and singer (born 1953)}}
{{Short description|Irish Catholic priest and singer (born 1953)}}
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{{about|the Irish Catholic priest|other people with the same name|Raymond Kelly (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
{{Infobox Christian leader
| type = priest
| type = priest
| honorific-prefix = [[The Reverend Father]]
| honorific-prefix = [[The Reverend Father]]
| name = Ray Kelly
| name = Ray Kelly
| honorific-suffix = [[Saint Patrick’s Society for the Foreign Missions|S.P.S.]]
| honorific-suffix = [[Saint Patrick’s Society for the Foreign Missions|S.P.S.]]
| image = Pastor Ray Kelly 5963-Michelides.jpg
| image = Pastor Ray Kelly 5963-Michelides.jpg
| caption = Father Kelly singing at a charity event in Vienna on 2017
| caption = Father Kelly singing at a charity event in Vienna on 2017
|church = Catholic Church
| church = [[Catholic Church]]
| birth_name = Raymond Kelly
| birth_name = Raymond Kelly
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1953|04|25}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1953|04|25}}
| birth_place = [[Tyrrellspass]], [[County Westmeath]], Ireland
| birth_place = [[Tyrrellspass]], [[County Westmeath]], [[Ireland]]
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
|religion = Roman Catholic
| religion = Roman Catholic
|parents =
| parents =
}}
}}


'''Raymond Kelly''', [[Saint Patrick’s Society for the Foreign Missions|S.P.S.]] (born 25 April 1953) is an Irish Catholic priest known for his interpretation of popular songs. He is the priest of St. Brigid′s & St. Mary′s parish at [[Oldcastle, County Meath]], Ireland, and a member of [[Saint Patrick’s Society for the Foreign Missions]].
'''Raymond Kelly''', [[Saint Patrick’s Society for the Foreign Missions|S.P.S.]] (born 25 April 1953), known as "The Singing Priest," is an [[Irish Catholics|Irish Catholic]] priest known for his interpretation of popular songs. He is a member of [[Saint Patrick's Society for the Foreign Missions]].

Apart from his parish activities, he became famous for a [[YouTube]] [[viral video]] of him singing at a wedding at which he officiated, for his appearance as a contestant on ''[[Britain's Got Talent]]'', and for his appearance as a contestant on ''[[Dancing with the Stars (Irish TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]''. He has a very large family and has sung at many of his relatives' and in-laws' weddings.

In May 2023 it was announced that he would be leaving his role as parish priest of St. Brigid's & St. Mary's parish at [[Oldcastle, County Meath]], Ireland to become Associate Pastor in [[Kilcormac]], [[Rahan, County Offaly|Rahan]] and [[Eglish]] parishes in [[County Offaly, Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anglocelt.ie/2023/07/06/fr-ray-to-leave-role-as-parish-priest-of-oldcastle|title=Fr Ray to leave role as parish priest of Oldcastle|publisher=anglocelt.ie|date=July 6, 2023|access-date=March 19, 2024}}</ref>


==Early life and priesthood==
==Early life and priesthood==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2022}}
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=January 2022}}
Kelly was born on 25 April 1953 in [[Tyrrellspass]], [[County Westmeath]], and began singing when he was young. In 1989, he was ordained as a priest and began his vocation.
Kelly was born on 25 April 1953 in [[Tyrrellspass]], [[County Westmeath]], and began singing when he was young. In 1989 he was ordained as a priest and began his vocation.


==Music career==
==Music career==
Kelly became famous in 2014 after a video of him singing [[Leonard Cohen]]'s song "[[Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen song)|Hallelujah]]" while officiating at a couple's wedding became a [[YouTube]] sensation. The words were modified to suit the occasion by 10-year-old bridesmaid Lucy Pitts O'Connor. By 2020, it had received more than 75 million hits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYKwqj5QViQ|title=Original Big surprise for Bride and Groom...Chris and Leah Wedding 5 April 2014|last=invitationlovejesus|date=7 April 2014|access-date=29 May 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref>
Kelly became famous in 2014 after a video of him singing [[Leonard Cohen]]'s song "[[Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen song)|Hallelujah]]" while officiating at a couple's wedding became a [[YouTube]] sensation. The words were modified to suit the occasion by 10-year-old bridesmaid Lucy Pitts O'Connor. By early 2024, it had received more than 90 million hits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYKwqj5QViQ|title=Original Big surprise for Bride and Groom...Chris and Leah Wedding 5 April 2014|last=invitationlovejesus|date=7 April 2014|access-date=29 May 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref>


In December 2014 [[Universal Music]] released a 10-track album ''Where I Belong'' of Kelly singing Celtic-inspired arrangements.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/27/ray-kelly-album_n_6533358.html ''The Huffington Post'']</ref> The album was recorded during summer 2014 in a studio created for the purpose in Kelly's house, so that the recording schedule would not interfere with his duties as a priest. In December 2015 Kelly was a guest on the [[BBC Radio 4]] programme ''[[Midweek (BBC Radio 4)|Midweek]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06r5wl8 |title=BBC Radio 4 - Midweek |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=9 December 2015 |access-date=9 December 2015}}</ref>
In December 2014 [[Universal Music]] released a 10-track album ''Where I Belong'' of Kelly singing Celtic-inspired arrangements.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/27/ray-kelly-album_n_6533358.html ''The Huffington Post'']</ref> The album was recorded during summer 2014 in a studio created for the purpose in Kelly's house, so that the recording schedule would not interfere with his duties as a priest. In December 2015 Kelly was a guest on the [[BBC Radio 4]] programme ''[[Midweek (BBC Radio 4)|Midweek]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06r5wl8 |title=BBC Radio 4 - Midweek |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=9 December 2015 |access-date=9 December 2015}}</ref>


==Television appearances==
==Television appearances==
In 2018 Kelly auditioned for the [[Britain's Got Talent (series 12)|12th series]] of ''[[Britain's Got Talent]]'', singing "[[Everybody Hurts]]" by [[R.E.M.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/nervous-britain-s-got-talent-priest-father-ray-kelly-has-already-had-a-record-deal-and-two-albums-a3820666.html|title=BGT priest has already had a record deal and TWO albums|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx8yD3-HWTg|title=Father Ray Kelly takes us to church with AMAZING version of ‘Everybody Hurts’ - Auditions - BGT 2018|last=Britain's Got Talent|date=21 April 2018|access-date=29 May 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> He made it to the live shows but he was eliminated in semifinal 5. He came fourth in the public voting.
In 2018 Kelly auditioned for the [[Britain's Got Talent (series 12)|12th series]] of ''[[Britain's Got Talent]]'', singing "[[Everybody Hurts]]" by [[R.E.M.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/nervous-britain-s-got-talent-priest-father-ray-kelly-has-already-had-a-record-deal-and-two-albums-a3820666.html|title=BGT priest has already had a record deal and TWO albums|date=23 April 2018 |access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx8yD3-HWTg|title=Father Ray Kelly takes us to church with AMAZING version of 'Everybody Hurts' - Auditions - BGT 2018|last=Britain's Got Talent|date=21 April 2018|access-date=29 May 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> He made it to the live shows but he was eliminated in semifinal 5. He came fourth in the public voting.


In 2020, he took part in the [[Dancing with the Stars (Irish series 4)|fourth season]] of the Irish edition of [[Dancing with the Stars (Irish series)|''Dancing with the Stars'']]. He and his professional partner, [[Kylee Vincent]], were eliminated on 8 March 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/tv-film/fr-ray-kelly-finally-eliminated-21655673|title=Fr Ray Kelly eliminated from Dancing with the Stars after weeks at the bottom of table|work=RSVP|first=Mikie|last=O'Loughlin|date=8 March 2020|access-date=8 March 2020}}</ref>
In 2020, he took part in the [[Dancing with the Stars (Irish series 4)|fourth season]] of the Irish edition of [[Dancing with the Stars (Irish series)|''Dancing with the Stars'']]. He and his professional partner, [[Kylee Vincent]], were eliminated on 8 March 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/tv-film/fr-ray-kelly-finally-eliminated-21655673|title=Fr Ray Kelly eliminated from Dancing with the Stars after weeks at the bottom of table|work=RSVP|first=Mikie|last=O'Loughlin|date=8 March 2020|access-date=8 March 2020}}</ref>
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== Books ==
== Books ==
* {{cite book |last=Kelly |first=Ray |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Hallelujah/36bMxQEACAAJ?hl=en |title=Hallelujah: Memoirs of a Singing Priest |year=2022 |publisher=Columba Books |isbn=9781782183686}}
* {{cite book |last=Kelly |first=Ray |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=36bMxQEACAAJ |title=Hallelujah: Memoirs of a Singing Priest |year=2022 |publisher=Columba Books |isbn=9781782183686}}


== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://fatherraykelly.com Official website]
* [http://fatherraykelly.com Official website]{{dead link|date=October 2024}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYKwqj5QViQ Kelly's original YouTube video]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYKwqj5QViQ Kelly's original YouTube video]


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{{Subject bar |portal1= Biography |portal2= Catholicism |portal3= Ireland}}
{{Subject bar |portal1= Biography |portal2= Catholicism |portal3= Ireland}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelly, Ray}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelly, Ray}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Musicians from County Westmeath]]
[[Category:Musicians from County Westmeath]]
[[Category:21st-century Irish Roman Catholic priests]]
[[Category:21st-century Irish Roman Catholic priests]]
[[Category:People from Oldcastle, County Meath]]

Latest revision as of 12:45, 13 October 2024

This article is about the Irish Catholic priest. For other people with the same name, see Raymond Kelly (disambiguation).

The Reverend Father

Ray Kelly

S.P.S.
Father Kelly singing at a charity event in Vienna on 2017
ChurchCatholic Church
Personal details
Born
Raymond Kelly

(1953-04-25) 25 April 1953 (age 71)
Tyrrellspass, County Westmeath, Ireland
DenominationRoman Catholic

Raymond Kelly, S.P.S. (born 25 April 1953), known as "The Singing Priest," is an Irish Catholic priest known for his interpretation of popular songs. He is a member of Saint Patrick's Society for the Foreign Missions.

Apart from his parish activities, he became famous for a YouTube viral video of him singing at a wedding at which he officiated, for his appearance as a contestant on Britain's Got Talent, and for his appearance as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. He has a very large family and has sung at many of his relatives' and in-laws' weddings.

In May 2023 it was announced that he would be leaving his role as parish priest of St. Brigid's & St. Mary's parish at Oldcastle, County Meath, Ireland to become Associate Pastor in Kilcormac, Rahan and Eglish parishes in County Offaly, Ireland.[1]

Early life and priesthood

[edit]

Kelly was born on 25 April 1953 in Tyrrellspass, County Westmeath, and began singing when he was young. In 1989 he was ordained as a priest and began his vocation.

Music career

[edit]

Kelly became famous in 2014 after a video of him singing Leonard Cohen's song "Hallelujah" while officiating at a couple's wedding became a YouTube sensation. The words were modified to suit the occasion by 10-year-old bridesmaid Lucy Pitts O'Connor. By early 2024, it had received more than 90 million hits.[2]

In December 2014 Universal Music released a 10-track album Where I Belong of Kelly singing Celtic-inspired arrangements.[3] The album was recorded during summer 2014 in a studio created for the purpose in Kelly's house, so that the recording schedule would not interfere with his duties as a priest. In December 2015 Kelly was a guest on the BBC Radio 4 programme Midweek.[4]

Television appearances

[edit]

In 2018 Kelly auditioned for the 12th series of Britain's Got Talent, singing "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.[5][6] He made it to the live shows but he was eliminated in semifinal 5. He came fourth in the public voting.

In 2020, he took part in the fourth season of the Irish edition of Dancing with the Stars. He and his professional partner, Kylee Vincent, were eliminated on 8 March 2020.[7]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • Where I Belong (2014)
  • An Irish Christmas Blessing (2015)

Books

[edit]
  • Kelly, Ray (2022). Hallelujah: Memoirs of a Singing Priest. Columba Books. ISBN 9781782183686.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Fr Ray to leave role as parish priest of Oldcastle". anglocelt.ie. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  2. ^ invitationlovejesus (7 April 2014). "Original Big surprise for Bride and Groom...Chris and Leah Wedding 5 April 2014". Retrieved 29 May 2018 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ The Huffington Post
  4. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Midweek". Bbc.co.uk. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  5. ^ "BGT priest has already had a record deal and TWO albums". 23 April 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  6. ^ Britain's Got Talent (21 April 2018). "Father Ray Kelly takes us to church with AMAZING version of 'Everybody Hurts' - Auditions - BGT 2018". Retrieved 29 May 2018 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ O'Loughlin, Mikie (8 March 2020). "Fr Ray Kelly eliminated from Dancing with the Stars after weeks at the bottom of table". RSVP. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
[edit]
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