I'm going to sound like an old man but at my age, it's lovely doing something that you've never done before.

To claim that music is more important than oxygen would be trite and sentimental. It would also be true.

The problem with being Irish... is having 'Riverdance' on your back. It's a burden at times.

I wasn't even aware of the Year of the Family. I couldn't give a toss. These things - the year of the family, the year of the three-legged dog. I think it's all trash.

When I was growing up, the exam system didn't allow you to write fiction, so you never did.

If you are a writer you're at home, which means you're out of touch. You have to make excuses to get out there and look at how the world is changing.

Schools don't really allow failure and yet it's part of any endeavour, not just writing.