A TRIO of singing priests has given a one-off concert before an invitation-only audience in St Patrick's Catholic Cathedral in Armagh.
The three, all diocesan priests from parishes in Down and Connor, have already signed a $2 million (€1.42 million) contract with recording giants Sony BMG this year, a deal which has the endorsement of the Vatican.
Last night's concert was recorded for broadcasting on America's Public Broadcast Service next month and for release on DVD.
ITV is planning a programme on the trio - who are known simply as The Priests - which will coincide with the launch of their debut album, which is due for release in November in more than 30 countries.
Fr Eugene O'Hagan (48), his brother Fr Martin O'Hagan (45) and their friend since childhood, Fr David Delargy (45), have insisted they will remain true to their vocations and to their parishes. They have a unique recording contract stipulating that, whatever the demands of the recording business, those of their "day jobs" as priests will always take priority.
Fr Eugene O'Hagan said their parishes would always take priority: "The music is an extension of our mission - not the other way around."
Fr Eugene O'Hagan is currently based in Ballyclare, Co Antrim; Fr Martin O'Hagan is in the parish of Cushendun on the Antrim coast; and Fr David Delargy is in the parish of Hannahstown on the outskirts of west Belfast.
Nick Raphael of Sony BMG's Epic record label, who discovered The Priests, said: "They have the potential to become one of the world's biggest musical acts because what they do is compelling and has historical relevance."
Timemagazine appears to agree. In its July edition, it said of The Priests: "They sing like Angels: their powerful voices blend effortlessly to create harmonies rich with emotion."
Predictably, The Priests' first CD will include tracks with a strong spiritual theme including Ave Maria, Panis Angelicus and O Holy Night. There will also be popular classical pieces and songs. Choral backing for the tracks has been recorded in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The album is produced by Mike Hedges, whose previous work includes best-selling albums by U2.