I would love to write the story of my upbringing in Ireland.

Even when they have nothing, the Irish emit a kind of happiness, a joy.

There once was a demographic survey done to determine if money was connected to happiness and Ireland was the only place where this did not turn out to be true.

And by endlessly sanitizing our feelings, we actually feed a disgruntled nation.

The energy released by it is enormous and it becomes quite addictive, the power between the audience and the actor.

The Americans are very clear, and obsessed with nouns.

I certainly had no intention of playing a man.

I find it incredibly tedious, hate that it murders itself with its own conservative pomposity.

Acting doesn't have to be threadbare misery all the time.

Once you've done one style, you leave it for a while.

People who are good at film have a relationship with the camera.

If you behave as if you are all right, then one day you will be. You have to go through the motions of surviving in order to survive.

Help other people, help themselves

Always carry with you a pen and a notebook or a journal to write the thoughts that flashes in a moments.

I rush to add that I find the Web infinitely useful for rustling up information, settling arguments or locating the legends of rock stars.

I know it's going to be the private sector that leads this country out of the current economic times we're in. You can spend your money better than the government can spend your money.

To lay down one's life for the truth.

Each time I seem to go through one of life's huge things, I want to play music.

I think some people just have an innate musical ability, and I'm lucky enough to be one of those people.

There is absolutely no inevitability, so long as there is a willingness to contemplate what is happening.

I'm not very good at working for other people. I mostly make pictures because of some whim. With luck, I get a glimpse of something, and then it turns into an adventure, and then into a project.