Catholic altar boy enters the record books with album of Irish songs

BY FRANK PETERS A CATHOLIC ALTAR boy has become the youngest solo UK male to enter the UK album charts.
Ten-year-old Declan Galbraith's first album simply called Declan, entered the British charts at number 44 last week.
This beats the previous record set by the then young internationallyacclaimed Welsh entertainer Aled Jones, now a presenter in religious programming.
Declan who lives in Hoo, Kent with his parents Alec (46) and Siobhan (43) and his sister Bernadette (6) said he was "over the moon" with excitement.
"Making the album was a big thrill, but getting into the charts is even bigger," he said.
Declan has served on the altar of his parish church — the Holy Family — in Hoo for two years. His parish priest, Fr Michael Adams, said was delighted that "young Dec" was achieving success.
Fr Adams said the altar boy's musical talents were much appreciated in the parish: "He sang Danny Boy and Carrickfergus for me on my 70th birthday recently and he was 'just wonderful. He has such a beautiful voice it made the hairs on my neck stand on end. I'm sure it's going to bring much pleasure to many people around the world as time goes on," he said.
Fr Adams has been a family friend for many years and he is taking a keen interest in Declan's success: "I officiated at the wedding of Alec and Siobhan and I baptised Bernadette and Declan. It's a very close community here in Hoo, everyone seems to know each other and get along very well. The whole town is supporting young Dec and wouldn't miss his television appearances for anything," he said.
Declan who loves to sing traditional Irish tunes for his family and friends at family sing-alongs and social events, said he especially included Danny Boy and Carrickfergus on the album because they're two of his favourites.
As talented as he may be, Declan doesn't claim all the limelight in the Galbraith house. His sister Bernadette recently won her first silver cup for Irish dancing — and she has little or no competition from her brother!
"He thinks he can do Irish dancing, God love him, but we usually have to tell him to sit down.
"His version you wouldn't find in any of the Irish dance books!" said Siobhan.
Young Declan said he has been overwhelmed with the media attention he's been getting since he was signed to a threealbum recording contract with EMI for a staggering £1million record deal, but his protective parents said they wouldn't let success go to his head.
"Dad, who was an electrician, has given up his job to look after me full time, take me to where I need to go and make sure I do my homework, get sleep, and all of that," he said.
"I think it's great fun."