Three Roman Catholic priests signed a £1 million contract yesterday with the music company Sony BMG.

Father Eugene O’Hagen, 48, his brother Martin, 45, and their old school friend David Delargy, 44, who all hold parishes in the Northern Ireland diocese of Down and Connor, sealed the deal by the steps of Westminster Cathedral in London.

The singing trio, known as The Priests, said that they would give money they made from the music to charity.

The group have a special exemption in their contract, which allows them to break off from promotional duties to deal with parish work, such as presiding over funerals.

The three realised their musical prowess at St MacNissi’s College, Co Antrim, where they were nicknamed Holy Holy Holy because of their determination to enter the priesthood.

Fr Eugene, from the parish of Bally-clare and Ballygowan, said that what had happened may be “God’s design”.

He said that the money that the priests make will go to various charities but “we haven’t decided which”.

Fr Martin, from the parish of Cush-endun explained the reason behind the clause that allowed the priests to carry out their parish duties. He said: “Our work means a great deal to us. We are priests first and foremost. Our work will be at the heart of our plans.”

Fr David, from the parish of Hannahstown, added: “Singing is very much what we do. This is bringing it to a wider audience. We are singing sacred music, continuing what we have always been doing.”

Asked about the priests’ musical leanings, Fr Eugene said: “We have very catholic tastes,” adding that he liked the quartet Il Divo. Fr David said: “My first ever purchase was Blondie - Parallel Lines.” And Fr Martin said: “I enjoy a bit of jazz and very relaxing music.”

They were asked what they thought of three other well-known priests, the inhabitants of Craggy Island on the Channel 4 comedy Father Ted. Fr Martin joked: “We’re the real McCoy.”

The priests all attended The Seminary in Belfast and concluded their training at the Irish College in Rome, before returning to Ireland to tend to parishioners and carry out official duties at church services.

Last year they were heard singing by an Irish pop musician who asked them to make a demonstration recording, which he took to Sony BMG.

Nick Raphael, managing director of Epic Records, part of Sony BMG, negotiated the signing. He said: “Their voices are incredible. I said, ‘I think we’ve found three pop stars’.

“They’re going to be wonderful global superstars. The reaction has been incredible, huge. The quality of their singing is quite scary.”

The priests’ forthcoming record, which is as yet unnamed, is planned for release around November.

Fr David said later: “I think we’ll be keeping our feet firmly on the ground. We have not let ourselves get too carried away.” Fr Martin added: “It’s giving pleasure that’s important. As long as people are uplifted.”

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