Singing priest Fr Ray to feature in Mucklagh concert line-up

A month ago Banagher priest Fr Pierre Pepper won a local Strictly Come Dancing fundraising event. Now Mucklagh has plans to match that, with singing priest sensation Fr Ray Kelly part of the line-up for a concert to raise funds for a community centre that’s under construction.

Fr Ray is originally from Tyrrellspass and is currently parish priest in Oldcastle, Co Meath. It was in Oldcastle the priest came to national attention, after treating a couple to his version of Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah’ at their wedding.

The sixty-year-old served for some years in Mucklagh in the past however. Secretary of Mucklagh Community Development Caroline Bryant said during his time there Fr Ray would on occasion sing Garth Brooks and Westlife songs. Though the setlist for his appearance in Mucklagh at the concert on June 9 is unknown, his presence at the event is certain.

Showband man Dave Lawlor is behind the latest fundraiser, which has been arranged to help with the cost of Mucklagh's new community centre. It’s expected the total cost of the new community centre, which is being built on a site donated by David Hutton-Bury, will be something in the region of €400,000. The 'Boolavogue’ singer will join Fr Ray on the line-up, as well as Rahan Comhaltas, Mucklagh school choir and Offaly County Council choir.

The concert takes place on Monday, June 9 at 8pm in St Colman’s Church in Mucklagh. Tickets priced €15 are available at all local shops and in the record store in The Mall in Tullamore.