When my sister Joan arrived, I asked if I could swap her for a rabbit. When I think what a marvellous friend she's been, I'm so glad my parents didn't take me at my word.

I've been very lucky and I have a happy old age with good family and friends still around.

Nobody is ordinary if you know where to look.

I have great family and good friends; the stories I told became popular, and people all over the world bought them.

In Ireland every place you visit and every person you meet has a story. And they love to tell you their stories. Everyone is interested in everything; in a land of storytellers, you will never be bored.

I once got a huge, expensive flower arrangement from a person I didn't like, who sent it out of pure guilt. It had a hideous bird-of-paradise in the middle, and I thought it would never fade and die. I hated it.

I'm pleased to have outsold great writers. But I'm not insane - I realize I am a writer people buy to take on vacation.