All about Irish actors.

[CBHagman]

Let's liven things up a bit. Irish actors are near ubiquitous these days, turning up in cable series and in Oscar-winning live-action shorts.

Here's just one, Ciaran Hinds (of Political Animals, talking about his craft and career in an RTE interview. Brenda Blethyn is the other guest.

More to come! For such a small piece of land, Ireland produces a lot of creative people...

[CBHagman]

1. "Inside the Actors Studio" with Gabriel Byrne.

[IrishAyes]

2. Thanks for an entertaining and informative thread/OP

While I don't have time this evening to look up a link, History Detectives did a show on one of my favorite people in the universe, Martin Sheen. I knew he's half Irish and had studied a year in Ireland, but I didn't know he had an ancestor who'd fought in the Civil War that broke out after partition. On Dev's side if I recall, which would mean against my own ancestors. But Martin's such a good pacifist himself that I still can't help loving the man.

Just don't forget my personal definition of 'Irish pacifist'. It dovetails with my father's favorite saying, 'Beware the wrath of a patient man.' Anyway, I'd share a pint with Martin Sheen anytime. Now, touring Ireland with him would be a dream come true!

[CBHagman]

3. I lived in Dayton, Ohio, for a while...

...and Martin Sheen was profiled in the Dayton Daily News on more than one occasion (He's a native of the area and attended, if I recall correctly, Chaminade High School). I was well aware of his Irish heritage but less conscious of his Spanish ancestry. In any event, an interesting man.

[IrishAyes]

4. It felt a little odd

watching this ardent pacifist so proud of his militant ancestor, and yet I kind of understood. He was most impressed with the man's willingness to suffer for his beliefs.

[CBHagman]

5. A new name for the list.

I promise to get to the list of Irishwomen who grace the screens and stages, but here's another male, one I've only just seen in the series Desperate Romantics (theme: the lives of the Pre-Raphaelites): Aidan Turner.

[url]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2636108/[/url]