Photo Credit: Niall Fennessy
The 4 of Us are one of the most acclaimed bands in Ireland, having been a steadfast part of Irish music history for over 30 years. Blending contemporary roots with rock, the award- winning band was formed by brothers Brendan and Declan Murphy from the border town of Newry in Northern Ireland.
The band shot to early fame towards the end of 1989 with their debut album, ‘Songs for the Tempted’, which featured the massive hits ‘Mary’ and ‘Drag My Bad Name Down’. Their truly unique sound has garnered a large and loyal fan base and an enviable catalogue of timeless songs, including numerous Top 20 Irish charting albums and hit singles. Regulars on Irish radio playlists, their music has also been featured on American, UK, and Irish TV and film soundtracks.
Speaking about how their new single, ‘Carry Me to the Water‘, was written Brendan says: “Summer holidays for myself and Declan as kids were a long stretch of nothing but sun and free time. However, for our Mum and Dad, with five bored children, they were also 3 very long months, so Dad hatched a plan.
“The North was a lively spot back then, for all the wrong reasons, but when you crossed into the County Louth, you entered a whole other world. Dad figured a quick 20-minute drive across the Newry-Dundalk border was basically a foreign trip. He bought a small caravan, towed it that short distance, found the closest beach, unhooked it, and just…left it there.”
“Yet, year after year, that caravan was our unchallenged summer home, always there when we showed up. The only flaw in his plan? The beach wasn’t the type you see in the brochures. No miles of golden sand, just a narrow strip and then rocks and lots of them. Jagged teeth between the land and the tide.
“Dad never seemed to get much time to relax with a book on his deckchair as he was a ferryman. Over the stones…back and forth to the water. The call was always the same from one of us: “Daddy, carry me.” His own journey ended in 2019, this song’s for him.”
Catch The 4 of Us live over the coming months at the following venues:
05/09/2025 The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim
26/09/2025 The Seantí, Kilmacow, Kilkenny
27/09/2025 Backstage Theatre, Longford
10/10/2025 Sea Church, Ballycotton, Co. Cork
11/10/2025 Market Place Theatre, Armagh
25/10/2025 TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
30/10/2025 Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
22/11/2025 Townhall Arts Centre, Cavan
29/11/2025 Draíocht Theatre, Blanchardstown, Dublin
27/12/2025 Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick
28/12/2025 Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth
14/03/2026 Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, Co. Down
The single, ‘Carry Me to the Water‘, and the album ‘Crescent Nights‘ are available now from the band’s website, select record shops, and all good streaming platforms.