AN IRISH CHRISTMAS BLESSING by Father Ray Kelly

An Irish Christmas Blessing
by Fr. Ray Kelly

Released December 4, 2015, / Almost a year to the day his debut album was released, Father Ray Kelly released a wonderful collection of Christmas songs on December 4th, entitled ‘An Irish Christmas Blessing.’

The album is a compilation of his favorite Christmas songs, including ‘Silent Night,’ ‘O Come All Ye Faithful,’ and ‘Little Drummer Boy.’ When asked to consider a Christmas Album, Father Ray jumped at the chance as Christmas is one of his favorite times of the year.

‘When it was suggested that I record a Christmas Album, my inner-child smiled with joy and shouted YES, YES, YES. My heart jingled as a flood of Christmas songs came to mind. I wanted to record them all….. There can never be anything as magical as Christmas. A time full of memories that hold a sense of nostalgia for good times long gone, and for loved ones no longer with us....’

The album was recorded during the summer and was produced by Nigel Wright, Andrew Lloyd Webber's longtime music producer. Father Ray spent July and August recording his favorite Christmas songs at Nigel's studio while flying back and forth to Oldcastle to fulfill his parochial duties.

Since the video of him singing ‘Hallelujah’ at a wedding went viral in April 2014, the past 20 months have been somewhat of a blur for Father Ray. He has traveled the world promoting his debut album ‘Where I Belong’ and telling people his story of being a 27-year-old civil servant who decided to become a priest.

Born in Tyrrellspass, Co Meath, in April 1953, Ray moved to Dublin and worked in the Civil Service. In 1982 he was called to the Priesthood and was ordained as a priest in 1989. He joined the St Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegan Fathers) and worked as a Missionary in pre-Apartheid South Africa from 1991-1992 and did Mission Appeal work in the US. He returned to Ireland and was appointed Parish Priest in Oldcastle in 2006. As one of his great loves was singing, he built a home studio in one of his parish house rooms to indulge his passion for his hobby. He was often asked to sing at local events but never thought it would lead to anything until he sang at the wedding of Chris and Leah O’Kane on April 5th, 2014. That famous video has now reached over 46 million views to date.

Father Ray also revealed that he would be donating a percentage of the profits of this album's sales and his live concerts to the Kiltegan Fathers St Patrick's Missionary Society, where he started his journey as a Catholic priest. Ray traveled worldwide to work for society, and he wanted to use his musical journey to benefit the society that he loved.

Father Tomas O'Connor, the society's District Leader for Ireland, said to Father Ray, "Thanks so much for this beautiful gesture of communion and solidarity in sharing the fruits of your success with us. Society is deeply grateful to you for your generosity."

Track List:
1. An Irish Christmas Blessing
2. Little Drummer Boy
3. When A Child Is Born
4. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
5. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
6. Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace
7. Joy Has Dawned
8. O Holy Night
9. Mary, Did You Know?
10. Saviour’s Day
11. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
12. Come All Ye Faithful
13. Silent Night

Product Details:
Release Date: December 4, 2015
UPC: 601008822658
Title: An Irish Christmas Blessing
Artist: Father Ray Kelly
Format: CD
SKU: 601008822658

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