'A bittersweet farewell' for The Priests as they hang up their mics

Over their 50-year performing career, The Priests have played for three popes, a king and two queens.

Now the classical music trio are looking back on a "wonderful odyssey" of platinum album sales, shows around the globe and topping the charts after bringing the curtain down on their professional singing career.

Fr Eugene O'Hagan, his brother Fr Martin O'Hagan and Fr David Delargy began singing together in 1974 while boarding at St MacNissi's College in County Antrim.

The almost 20-year long professional leg of that journey came to an end last week when they took their final bow after a farewell concert at Belfast's Ulster Hall.

"We thought if there was a time, now's a good time to leave the stage with a big bow and a big thanks to all of our fans," Fr Eugene told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster programme.

The decision to close this chapter for The Priests did not come all of a sudden, Fr Martin added.

"We've been talking about this over a period of time now and I think this decision's one we're very comfortable with," he said.

"We feel it is the right time to celebrate and to give thanks for a wonderful journey and experience."

The brothers, from Claudy in County Londonderry, described their last show as "emotional".

"We held ourselves together, we knew it was going to be a bittersweet occasion," Fr Eugene explained.

"There was a little tear shed, it has to be said."

The Priests have performed for many special guests over the last number of years, including the Pope, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as the president of Ireland.

But they have also rubbed shoulders with some surprising groups.

"We shared the couch with The Killers on The Jonathan Ross show," Fr Eugene remembered.

Fr Martin added: "My memory of The Killers was that we were decidedly rowdy in comparison. They were the most quiet people."

They also were part of an interesting mix-up in 2016 when photos of the singing clerics appeared on music websites to promote a US tour by rock band Priests.

At the time, Fr Eugene quipped that they're "a very different band from us", described as singing with "tempered tension, thoughtful rage and relentless energy".

"I think the only thing we have in common with them might be the relentless energy," he added.

In 2020, all three were recognised in the New Years Honours list for services to music and charity in Northern Ireland.

Despite forming in the 1970s, The Priests fell into the mainstream in 2008 after signing a record deal in front of Westminster Cathedral.

Their self-titled debut album was part-recorded in St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, which was a "great privilege", Fr Eugene said.

"When we heard the final cut... I simply cried partly out of, I think, just joy in a sense, and the experience that we'd been through.

"It was kind of a visceral response, a real gut response, but it was a happy one, absolute tears of delight."

The album went seven times platinum, and was the number one selling album in Ireland.

The "wonderful success" experienced by the group, Fr Martin said, is a combination of factors including teamwork and support from their fans.

"It's been a wonderful, wonderful odyssey for all three of us," he added.

All three balanced their full-time diocesan work alongside their musical careers, with faith being an "integral part" of the group's mission.

"Our task is to try our best to touch hearts and to reach into people's lives and bring a little bit of hope or ray of encouragement in the midst of the pressures and challenges of today," Fr Martin said.

"The music for us has been a wonderful means and channel of doing that with God's help, and our priest colleagues have been very supportive and very encouraging as well."

And while The Priests won't be officially performing together, there are no plans to give up music entirely.

Fr Eugene said: "We'll continue to make music and sing locally, and be a continuation of our odyssey and our journey."

You can listen to the full interview with Fr Eugene and Fr Martin O'Hagan on Good Morning Ulster on BBC Sounds.