Hermitage Green: 'You never know what’s going on behind the money, the suits'

Barry Murphy of Hermitage Green on their upwards climb, and their willingness to speak out on the situation in Gaza 

It’s been 15 years since Dan and Barry Murphy, Darragh Griffin, Darragh Graham and Dermot Sheedy, through an impromptu jam session, formed Hermitage Green.

It’s been 15 years since Dan and Barry Murphy, Darragh Griffin, Darragh Graham and Dermot Sheedy, through an impromptu jam session, formed Hermitage Green. Their first gigs, in the bar co-owned by the Murphy brothers’ older brother, paved the way for a band that’s made the local global, and achieved somewhat of a utopian career path for a group with little original expectations. (Even their name was chosen for the makeshift playspace created by Dan and Barry in their Limerick housing estate).

To date, the five men have sold out venues like the Olympia Theatre, released two studio albums, had their music streamed millions of times, signed with and departed from a major label and toured the world. (Fans will have also recently noticed lead singer and former Munster player, Barry, singing Amhrán na bhFiann at this year’s Autumn Internationals. “It’s really nerve-racking for someone to just say go,” he smiles. “But one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.”)