"Even when they have nothing, the Irish emit a kind of happiness, a joy."
"And by endlessly sanitizing our feelings, we actually feed a disgruntled nation."
About the author
Fiona Shaw
Actress
Fiona Shaw is an acclaimed Irish actress and director known for her powerful performances and exploration of identity in theater and film.
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"There once was a demographic survey done to determine if money was connected to happiness and Ireland was the only place where this did not turn out to be true."
"Also, an area that interests me - and it will probably take years to state what I mean - is the period of the rise of democracy, with Tom Paine, which is around the turn of the 18th century into the 19th."
"I once saw my mother playing Mary Magdalene in a parish event. But she had to put the role aside in order to go and front the choir who were singing at the same occasion. She left the stage halfway through the Crucifixion."
"To be honest I live among the English and have always found them to be very honest in their business dealings. They are noble, hard-working and anxious to do the right thing. But joy eludes them, they lack the joy that the Irish have."
"The energy released by it is enormous and it becomes quite addictive, the power between the audience and the actor."