Life

Thanks to The 4 of Us for a mojo boost

Marie Louise pictured with Declan Murphy (left) and Brendan Murphy (right) from The 4 of Us along with her friends Marian (left) and Louise (right)
Marie Louise pictured with Declan Murphy (left) and Brendan Murphy (right) from The 4 of Us along with her friends Marian (left) and Louise (right) Marie Louise pictured with Declan Murphy (left) and Brendan Murphy (right) from The 4 of Us along with her friends Marian (left) and Louise (right)

Ain't life grand?

One minute it's up, the next, it's down, but oh boy, what a rollercoaster it is.

I'm in fine form this week thanks to a much-needed child-free night out with the girls.

And, while this alone is more than enough to put a big smile on my face, it all came about because I won a competition.

Oh yes, after entering hundreds and hundreds of competitions on Facebook, I finally won one and the prize could not have been better.

You are all well aware of my love for Newry band, The 4 Of Us although circumstances means I haven't been able to see them in a while.

So, you can imagine how happy I was when lovely Declan from the band contacted me on Facebook to tell me I had won two tickets to see them at the Ardowen Theatre in Enniskillen.

So, I opted to take my bestie, Louise who lives in Enniskillen, who then also won tickets for the gig so our other amigo, Marian was also invited along for the ride.

Having not been out in what seems like a million years, we made a night of it with drinks and dinner before we arrived at the venue.

I really had forgotten just who wonderful Brendan Murphy and his brother, Declan Murphy - who, along with their guitars make up The 4 Of Us - really are.

While they do have a massive following in Ireland and across the water, I still believe these guys are seriously under-rated.

Brendan's voice is just like smooth, velvety melted chocolate, it always gives me goose-bumps while Declan's talent on the guitar is just unreal.

These guys really must be among Ireland's most talented musicians and what a gig they put on for us.

When these two take to the stage, there is just so much passion and magic just happens and as someone who doesn't get out much, they really gave me a much-needed lift.

Many of you will know the band's biggest hits such as Mary and Washington Down, but their epic song-writing skills means their new material is just captivating and the new album `Sugar Island' has been on repeat in my car ever since the gig.

As usual, after the performance, the boys came out and met their fans and as always, were happy to sign CDs and pose for photos - always warm and welcoming.

I left the gig on a high, especially after Brendan and I exchanged tales about the stresses of having small children and offered each other moral support.

Thanks guys for another fab night, it was much needed.

It feels good to be a winner....it was just what my mojo needed.

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What is it with some companies - why can't they just leave well enough alone?

This week it's Quality Street who are in the firing line because they have axed the Toffee Deluxe from the collection - for the second time in two years.

After bringing it back for a time, Nestle, the parent company of Quality Street, has now confirmed that the Toffee Deluxe has been dropped from the mix for the forseeable future.

What an awful decision.

First Milk Tray did it with Turkish Delight and now this.

Come on Quality Street, sort this chocolate fiasco out before it's too late.

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Competition

It’s more than 20 years since the popular franchise was first launched, so how do you fancy winning tickets to see its come back - Men In Black: International?

Though Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are missing from the new movie, the film boasts an impressive cast including Chris Hemsworth as Agent H, the top agent in MIB’s UK branch, and Tessa Thompson as Agent M, a new MIB recruit assigned to the UK branch.

While the Men In Black team have always protected the earth from the scum of the universe, in Men In Black: International, they find themselves tackling their biggest threat to date - a mole in the Men in Black organisation.

The movie is due for release on Friday, June 14, so why not book a seat to watch the sci-fi thriller at any Movie House location?

I have two pairs of tickets for Men In Black: International at Movie House Cinemas to give away.

If you fancy winning a pair, email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com

Closing date for entries is 12Noon on Tuesday, May 28, 2019

(Q) Which actor stars as Agent H in Men In Black: International?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

The winners of the Ayesha At Last competition are Mary Palmer, from Kircubbin, Immacula McBride, from Belfast, Brenda McElroy, from Clogher, Catherine Fairfield, from Carryduff, and Martina Connolly, from Newry