Singing priest Fr Ray Kelly to sign with major record label

Four weeks ago, when a Westmeath priest sang at a couple’s wedding, he had no idea the video would go viral.

A month later, Fr Ray Kelly's version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah has been viewed more than 34 million times.

Since the clip went viral, Fr Kelly has been inundated with requests to perform at events and has appeared on television and radio in Ireland as well as Europe and Australia.

He has been approached separately by two record companies about signing a record deal and currently has a legal team negotiating terms, though no money has been discussed yet.

The record labels involved are heavy-hitters Universal and Sony, despite the latter, who own the rights to the Leonard Cohen song, causing the original video to be removed from Youtube for infringement.

Speaking on the John Murray Show this week, Fr Kelly said he was coping very well with the fame but wasn't letting it interfere with his pastoral duties.

He said: "I'm coping with it quite well at the moment, incorporating my normal priestly life with this new found fame."

He admits he is still dealing with his popularity, however, and doesn't think it has sunk in yet.

Talking about the proceeds of a record deal, the priest said he would look after himself and his family, but would also donate money to a select few charities close to his heart.

While international media outlets have certainly taken a shine to the singing priest, Fr Kelly explains not everyone is impressed with him.

"One lady came up to me and she says 'You're the singing priest aren't you?', and I says yeah and she says 'I have to say I love your voice but I don't agree with doing that in the church. I'm a singer myself and I wouldn't do that'."

Fr Kelly's tongue-in-cheek response was "Well have you got 34 million hits?!"