A capacity audience packed St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough as award-winning classical singing group The Priests played the only mainland UK show of their farewell tour.

The emotional evening – the first of an ongoing concert series at the Coulby Newham church – saw the three Northern Irish clerics bring the house down with a programme that included religious, classical, Irish and pop songs.

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 around the world.

After 50 years of singing together they are now hanging up their microphones, and music lovers from all over the country snapped up all 640 tickets for the special one-off Middlesbrough show.

Cathedral dean Canon Paul Farrer said: “The concert was a delight from start to finish and reminded us of what we can do when we come together as a community. We are called to be joyful witnesses to the joy of a life lived in relationship with God. Hundreds of us did that on the night.
“I’m deeply grateful to the priests who gave their free time to sing for us before flying back for weekend masses in their parishes.
“I’m equally thankful to the guys on sound and light, those who helped with hospitality – they made the cathedral the spectacular venue we know it to be.
“We couldn’t have managed without the Cathedral Choir, Cantabile, the Knights of St Columba and our growing Cathedral Events Team.”

As the audience streamed out after the concert, they were in agreement that they had experienced a very special occasion.

Retired teacher Sheila Moore, from Middlesbrough, said: “My old Irish roots came to the fore and I was crying my eyes out for my dad, who used to sing some of those songs.

“What wonderful voices! What are they going to do now? They can’t just stop. I’m sure they’ll get to the pub on the weekend, the three of them, and have a good sing-song!”

Adele Gittins, from Redcar, said: “It was wonderful. I have their CDs already but to see them live was just incredible.”

Jean Reeve, from Acklam, added: “It was a brilliant performance. I thoroughly enjoyed it. “It was humorous, the singing was beautiful and I enjoyed the pianist as well.”

Others contacted Canon Paul to thank him for arranging the concert, which raised at least £6,000 for cathedral funds.

Heidi Cummins wrote: “They were fantastic and left us all smiling and on a high. Thank you so much to you and your team. Everything was so well organised. Just an absolute joy!”

Anne Healy emailed to say: “I just want to say a huge thank you to all involved. It was a truly wonderful and uplifting evening. As a long-standing follower of The Priests and their wonderful music, I would have been heartbroken to discover I had missed this occasion.
“The evening surpassed all expectations, and as it was my first visit to the cathedral, I was extremely impressed by the beautiful surroundings.”

And James Barry wrote: “Thank you so much for all your organisation behind this most superb concert. Particular thanks to the ushers who showed us to our seats so efficiently. My wife was in a wheelchair and felt well looked after.”
Canon Paul praised the army of around 50 volunteers who worked hard to prepare the cathedral and help on the evening.
“This event is the first of many,” he added. “From September onwards, we have a full programme of musical events catering to all tastes. Please see our website for all the details. We’d love to see you as we do our best to open the cathedral doors to all.”

The Priests are Father Martin O’Hagan, his brother, Eugene, and school friend Father David Delargy.

Most of their 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 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.

Forthcoming events at the cathedral include folk favourites Plumhall and Pete Davies on Friday September 27 and indie legend John Bramwell (I Am Kloot) on Saturday September 28.

This will be followed by the Cathedral Series of concerts from the cathedral choirs and a packed Christmas programme including Cantabile and a special 45-minute panto that’s suitable for younger children, as well as a series of Candlelight concerts.
Tickets for all events are on sale now from ticketsource.co.uk/middlesbroughcathedral.

For more information call 01642 597750 or email cathedralevents@rcdmidd.org.uk.

Story and pic: Micheal McGeary