80 Quotes by Dervla Kirwan

I'd never scan the starters and main courses on a menu in a restaurant as a child. I'd want a dessert for starter, for main course and for dessert.

I was a waitress at a really rundown Italian restaurant in Dublin, for about a week, at 16. I thought it was going to be romantic - overhearing affairs and watching first-time couples all loved up. But instead I was just running about constantly.

I ate ostrich. I'm not very proud of it. I was going through a very experimental period and probably during foot and mouth. It was exquisite, but I felt very guilty.

My mother was a woman of the '50s who had a family in the '70s while finding her political and feminist voice. She could make marvellous three-course meals after teaching all day but hated it. Because of that legacy, it took me a long time to realise the delights of the family table.

The main thing I've done for my children is not to give them a stupid name, like actors do.

I really want to work with Mike Leigh.

I want to interact creatively with the directors I work with - it's a thrilling way to work.

The actor's job is to put themselves in the shoes of the character they are trying to portray as truthfully as possible.

I've been very lucky with having a run of working with very special people and it just makes you work harder.