They’ve sung for three popes, two queens and a king – and now they’re coming to sing for us at St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough!

Award-winning classical singing group The Priests – Northern Ireland brothers Father Eugene and Father Martin O’Hagan and their lifelong friend Father David Delargy – have agreed to perform at an exclusive concert on Friday June 28 2024.

The Priests’ self-titled debut album became the fastest-selling debut album for a classical act in the UK when it was released in 2008 and went gold and platinum throughout Europe, as well as topping the classical Billboard chart in the United States.?

Their first three albums were all nominated as Classical Album of the Year in the Classical Brit Awards and they have had the honour of performing for Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis, as well as for the late Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, (now King Charles and Queen Camilla). 

“We can’t wait for the summer and what promises to be a spectacular night,” said cathedral dean Canon Paul Farrer, who is organising the event.

“I’m delighted we are able to bring The Priests to the cathedral. I met Father Eugene just before the pandemic when he visited a seminarian in Valladolid. We said then how good it would be to arrange a concert. Little did I know it would be here!

“We are working hard to bring a series of such events to the cathedral and I can’t think of a better first announcement.”

The vast majority of The Priests’ music income goes into a charitable trust that has helped build schools in Cambodia, Uganda and Thailand, as well as looking after retired priests and homeless people.

The three men, who were all awarded MBEs in the Queen’s New Year Honours in 2020, continue to serve as full-time priests in the Diocese of Down and Connor.

The concert is their only planned mainland date and will be extra special because 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of their first performance together as schoolboys at St MacNissi’s College, County Antrim.

“I know the cathedral will be packed with people who want to hear them sing in a beautiful setting,” said Canon Paul.

“I even think tickets would make a wonderful Christmas present!”

Tickets for the event, which will also feature the Cathedral Choir and Cantabile, are priced from £22.50 to £27.50.

To book your tickets, call the cathedral on 01642 597750 or email cathedralevents@rcdmidd.org.uk.

We’ll have an exclusive interview with Father Martin from The Priests in January’s Catholic Voice.