WATCH: Hometown heroes Hermitage Green named Limerick Persons of the Month
LOCAL music heroes Hermitage Green are in Heaven after they were named the Limerick Persons of the Month.
The five-piece band said it was “lovely” to get the recognition from their hometown which they see as an important part of their professional and personal lives.
Fresh off the plane from their US tour, the band accepted the award during a special presentation at the Clayton Hotel.
Pianist Darragh Griffin said the tour “lit a fire” under the boys and has reignited their desire to play more shows in the US having not played there since before the pandemic.
“It was really, really enjoyable. We haven't toured like that in a long time due to covid so it was great to get back on the road and the shows were brilliant”.
In their 13 year career, the band have built up a loyal fanbase in Limerick and across the world after playing gigs in Dubai, Canada, Australia and beyond.
The band started their musical journey in 2010 on a Monday night at the Curragower Bar and they were then asked to come back and play every week at the popular spot.
Two years later they released their first EP, The Gathering, which hit the number 28 spot in the Irish charts.
In 2013, much to the delight of their ever-growing fanbase, they self-released Hermitage Green - Live At Whelans which captured the power of their music in their live shows.
They started to gain an even bigger following as they played larger shows throughout Limerick and the rest of the country with their big break coming in 2015 when they were signed to Sony Music Ireland.
Their signing to the major label also saw the release of one of their most popular songs, Jenny, which is always a crowd favourite at their shows.
The following year, the folk rock band released their debut album, Save Your Soul, which got them their highest chart position to date reaching the number three spot.
It was a busy year for them as they also released a live EP, Live at the Curragower Bar, which was dedicated to their beginnings at the venue.
In 2017 another EP, Gold and Rust, followed before their next studio album Hi Generation was released in 2021.
The band credit Dolans as the “first stage” they set foot on as a band with singer Dan Murphy saying they have a “huge connection” to the iconic venue.
“It is a very important place to us as a band, and to any band. It is always great to get back there”.
As well as Dolans and the Milk Market, Hermitage Green have sold-out shows at King John's Castle multiple times proving their place in the hearts of their Limerick fans.
In addition to their own headline shows, they have played alongside the likes of Paloma Faith, The Pogues and Gavin James.
Such is their standing in Limerick, Treaty City Brewery have named a hazy IPA in their honour. The 'Hermitage Green' is dubbed a “beer to sing along with”.
It isn't just music that the members have talent to spare in as guitarist Barry Murphy began his rugby career with Munster in 2003. The wing/centre played for Munster until 2011 when he retired due to injury.
During his sporting career he made 73 appearances for the province and four for the Irish national team.
Next up for the band they will return to the Middle-East for some shows before coming home to Ireland for a tour around the country in the run up to Christmas including a stop at the Milk Market.
The Limerick Person of the Month award is sponsored by the Limerick Leader, media agency Southern, and the Clayton Hotel.