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

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

I've played my fair share of unpleasant character, and I have to tell you that you sleep better when you're playing fun characters. You think you don't take it home with you, at the end of the filming day, but subconsciously, there's something floating around in the background there.

The reason I wanted to be an actor is that I don't want to play me for the rest of my life and make money out of that.

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

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.

I know that Madonna is not a first-time filmmaker, but I have worked with a lot of first time filmmakers and I have worked with a lot of inexperienced film directors so that never has particularly worried me - I find it quite exciting - but I have never worked with a director who has had so little experience of directing who was so prepared.