"Generally speaking, I don't think people know a great deal about the Viking culture, apart from the ..." — Gabriel Byrne

I think that when we look at something that's well acted and a story that's well told, it allows us to be a mirror of who we are as human beings and as a culture, and offers a glimpse of where we're headed.

No actor who's any good can say truthfully to themselves, 'Yeah, I'm good; I've got this sorted.'

Being listened to and being heard is an experience that doesn't happen terribly often. To listen compassionately or nonjudgmentally to another person - not to get too heavy about it - but I once heard somebody say that was a form of real prayer.

I'm a product of my Irish culture, and I could no more lose that than I could my sense of identity.