I went further and further back through the centuries to get a sense of perspective but now at least I understand why Irish history evokes such strong passions and emotions.

Baddies always do get the best lines, that's the honest truth.

It was only when I finished the course and left my graduation diploma on the bus that I realized I'd become an actor.

I'm attracted to seeing how different I can be, pushing the boat out.

I'm not really very ambitious.

I don't have any expectations as an actor and being rich and famous is not my driving force.

There are lots of people I admire and respect, but I don't necessarily want to be like them. I'm too happy being myself.

I find it incredibly romantic that people should fight for a cause they believe in and be prepared to die for it.

When I left school I went to Australia for a year and worked in the drama department of a school in Perth.

It felt good doing a physical job, and going home each evening feeling like I had really done a day's work.

There is an odd sense of responsibility attached to appearing in a drama about a real piece of history. A work of fiction is fun.

The relationship between a perfect cup of coffee and a writer is just like the couple who always standby and feel proud of being committed to each other.

The main root of every massive success is deeply rooted in one's mental imagination.

Everybody who is somebody becomes nobody the moment they fail

It doesn't take much to lose everything, just a little departure from reason

it was odd, he thought, that a man could hate himself as though he were someone else.

Let cheerfulness on happy fortune wait.

Philosophers have often looked for the defining feature of humans — language, rationality, culture, and so on. I'd stick with this: Man is the only animal that likes Tabasco sauce.

Beauty products always cheer me up and give me hope. If it makes you feel pretty, why not?

I'm leaning towards making something for kids nine and under because I have kids now. I can clean it up and make it rated G.

Nothing is so engaging as the little domestic cares into which you appear to be entering, and as to reading it is useful for onlyfilling up the chinks of more useful and healthy occupations.