A singing Irish priest who became a YouTube sensation this week has 14-year-old Mount Lourdes student, Lucy O'Connor to thank for his new-found fame.

Father Ray Kelly was the name on everyone's lips after a video of him performing a cover version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah at a couple's wedding went viral on the internet.

The Priest from County Meath was inspired by the Enniskillen girl when she performed the song at her godmother, Mary Packenham's wedding four years ago.

“On the day John and I got married, Lucy had written her own version of Hallelujah which included our names,” explains Tempo mum of four, Mary.

“Father Kelly heard her version of the song and he really liked it. He asked for a copy of the words. He's been using the song at every wedding ever since.” Father Kelly, Mary's husband's family priest, married the couple at Cradien Church, Garvary.

“My husband is from Oldcastle originally. When we were getting married our own priest was not able to marry us so we asked Father Kelly,” she explains.

“He performed 'You Life Me Up' at our wedding but he really liked Lucy's song for us.

“She is very musical. I am a close friend of her mum, Sinead. We are so proud of her. It's just so funny when we look at the video now -- we know Lucy is at the heart of it all. We can't believe how quickly it has grown. It's been viewed across the world.” Father Kelly's performance was watched over 2.5 million times in just four days this week.

He will feature on the Late Late Show tonight (Friday) on RTE One.

Check out the video of Lucy's performance by clicking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pIW4rPpOmw