Raise your voices high
REMEMBER the singing priest Fr. Ray Kelly, who caused an internet sensation with his rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ a few years ago? Well, now is your chance to see Fr. Kelly perform live alongside St. Muredach’s Cathedral Choir and St. Mary’s Secondary School Choir – for one night only.
The concert, entitled Raise Your Voices, takes place tonight (Friday, February 3) at 8 p.m. in St. Muredach's Cathedral, Ballina, with tickets priced at just €15.
Musical director Regina Deacy said she was ‘delighted’ to have Fr. Kelly as special guests for the evening. “This a great opportunity to hear wonderful talent in one night, from the YouTube sensation Fr. Kelly to the award-winning St. Mary’s Secondary School Choir to the choral heights of the Cathedral Choir with its own talented soloists and instrumentalists,” she added.
“Add in the stunning location of St. Muredach’s Cathedral and you get a very special evening of reflective, inspirational and uplifting music.”
The event is one of several fundraisers organised to raise money for the St. Muredach's Cathedral restoration fund. Chairperson of the pastoral committee, Peter McLoughlin, explained: “It's fantastic to think of the huge pool of talent we have in our own community in terms of the choir at the Cathedral, led by Regina, as well as our own school choir at St. Mary’s.
“Adding the internet favourite, Fr. Kelly, to this means that a great night will be guaranteed - and a great opportunity for people outside of the parish and diocese to enjoy a night of beautiful music. We would appeal to people to come along, bring your friends, and enjoy the show.”
A raffle will also take place tonight, with a host of exclusive gifts up for grabs. Among them are a beautiful Liam Joes painting, a unique bowl made from the wood of the ceiling of the Cathedral by Willie Creighton, and a engraved image of the Cathedral on a mirror by Gerry Ginty.
Tickets are available in the Pastoral Centre, Ballina (opposite the Cathedral), The Gift Centre, Ballina, and St. Patrick’s Church, or by phone on (096) 70555.