My parents were French and Irish and our family even has Spanish blood-and I do so love the United States and consider myself part American.

My wife and I both come from Irish families. There are two kinds of Irish families: the hitting kind and the kidding kind. If you're fortunate - and both of us are - you come from the kidding kind of Irish family.

My mother's family were full-on Irish Catholics - faith in an elaborate old fashioned highly conservative and madly baroque style. I sort of fell out of the tribe over women's rights and social justice issues when I was just 13 years old.

I had great faith in Irish actors that they'd be hip to the whole theatre thing and they are. I had no illusions of coming over here as some kind of big shot. It's been a learning experience for me too.

The mandate I have received and for which I will speak with heart and head to implement over the next seven years had its four pillars - an inclusive citizenship equality and participation and respect in a creative society creating an excellence in everything we Irish do.

For every successful actor or actress there are countless numbers who don't make it. The name of the game is rejection. You go to an audition and you're told you're too tall or you're too Irish or your nose is not quite right. You're rejected for your education you're rejected for this or that and it's really tough.

I'm Irish. I think about death all the time.

I grew up in a big Irish Catholic family. My dad was a pretty rough guy. So one of my brothers left home when he was 15 and found his way to the gym. It gave me the opportunity to go and spend some time with him and work out in the gym.

My mum's parents were from Ireland my dad's mum was American-Irish.

My dad's Irish music was such a huge influence.