County Cork’s quads

NEWPORT BEACH — Carol McDermott heard that four of Ireland’s most famous children were visiting Muldoon’s Dublin Pub and Celtic Bar on Saturday. Having married into an Irish family, she took a front-row seat.

“I told my husband, ‘Let’s take a lunch break and come here,’” McDermott said, seated at a lunch table in the crowded restaurant by Fashion Island. “Being Irish, it’s nice to have this piece of Ireland here in town.”

The Murphy quadruplets — Amy, Katie, Kellie and Shauna — appeared at Muldoon’s Saturday to be inducted into the Guinness/Muldoon’s Wall of Fame. The girls made history in 2002 as the first quadruplets born in County Cork, Ireland. Former Newport Beach Mayor Dennis O’Neil and others packed a table to see the stars arrive.

A car stopped outside after 1 p.m., and four tiny girls stepped out in matching blue shirts and white pants as the crowd applauded. The Murphy sisters were the latest addition to the Wall of Fame that includes author Ray Bradbury, rock icon Jim Morrison and sportscaster Chick Hearn. But according to their mother, Brenda Murphy, fame is second-nature to them by now.

“They’re kind of used to it at home,” said Murphy, the sister-in-law of Muldoon’s General Manager Mary Murphy. “They got enough publicity when they were born.”

Sindi Schwartz, owner of Muldoon’s, presented a plaque — just one — to hang on the wall in front. It was the first time the quadruplets had visited Southern California, but to some of the people present, it felt like much more than that.

“For six years, we’ve seen the quads’ photos,” said Richard Kaplan, the special events director for Muldoon’s. “We’ve read stories about them, and we’ve waited with great anticipation to meet them.”

The girls’ older brother, 8-year-old Cian, proved a good sport throughout the ceremony, posing for pictures with the girls and chatting with the Irish patrons.

Life with quadruplet sisters, he said, was “noisy” at times, but he loved them all — although it sometimes got tough around Christmas or birthdays, when he had to decide whether to buy four gifts or one to share.

The quads seemed unfazed by the attention and more interested in exploring Orange County for the first time.

“We want to go to Disneyland,” said Kellie, in a sentiment that Amy and Katie both echoed.

Shauna, who had just gotten her first look at American culture, had a more modest dream.

“I want to buy a Hello Kitty doll,” she said.

MEET THE MURPHYS

AMY MURPHY

 Favorite Food: Pasta

 Favorite Color: Pink

KATIE MURPHY

 Favorite Food: Chips (or French fries)

 Favorite Color: Red

KELLIE MURPHY

 Favorite Food: Spaghetti

 Favorite Color: Pink

SHAUNA MURPHY

 Favorite Food: Rice and curry

 Favorite Color: Red

MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at [email protected].