Dublin people think they are the center of the world and the center of Ireland. And they don't realize that people have to leave Ireland to get work, and they look down on people who do.

I seldom feel comfortable in a theatre. I always feel like I own a cinema. I feel equally happy in an empty one as a full one. Probably happier in an empty one!

I love actors. Part of that is my theater background and being a writer who cares about performance. Actors have usually chosen their profession because they have a dream of doing it and they want to express something about the world. That's the same thing that I have with writing. Most of the good actors get into it for those reason, rather than for reasons of fame or fortune, or anything like that, and that's where I'm coming from, as a storyteller.

I never feel like a smug or a smart-alec film director, and there are plenty of those around.

When I'm happiest writing is just not knowing where it goes and just let the characters bring you there.

It's the periods and the commas that you have to forget about. The words never change, but the intonations change.

I pick and choose what I want to do at any given time, and what not to do, importantly. My agents, I won't hear about any offers or options.