When I was a kid, if you didn't speak Irish, you really wanted to. And you played Gaelic games and you didn't pay any attention to what was happening in the outside world, because really, the - Ireland was the center of the universe. And I don't think that's the case anymore, although, admittedly, it is the center of the universe.

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

The Irish are the niggers of Europe, lads.

It was a sign of growing up, when the dark made no more difference to you than the day.

You know people are always putting Ulysses in the top 10 books ever written but I doubt that any of those people were really moved by it.

Do be kind to yourself. Fill pages as quickly as possible; double space, or write on every second line. Regard every new page as a small triumph. Until you get to page 50. Then calm down, and start worrying about the quality. Do feel anxiety - it's the job.

Dreaming was only nice while it lasted.