Singing priest finds global fame and delights flock

From an improvised studio at his house in rural Ireland, the Reverend Ray Kelly has become a global singing sensation, and new fans now mingle with longtime parishioners in his flock.

The 62-year-old clergyman's unexpected music career began a year ago and now includes a platinum-selling album, 42 million YouTube hits and chat show appearances worldwide.

Twelve months ago, Kelly sang a version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah during the wedding of an unsuspecting couple in his small parish of Oldcastle, 100 km northwest of Dublin.