Dawn Bradfield,actor, talks to SINEAD GLEESON
I knew I wanted to be an actor when . . .I was a kid and saw Tatum O'Neal in a movie called Paper Moon. She was playing a nine-year-old, chain- smoking con artist and I thought, "Wow! I want to be like her."
The best day of my life so far was . . .spent in the Coombe, giving birth. I'll never forget that moment when they hand you a little person and say: "Here's your baby."
If I was running the country . . .I'd give everyone Mondays off.
Being romantically involved with another actor .. . is lovely! Stephen Brennan is my all-time romantic lead, on stage and off.
If I lost everything in the morning . .. It wouldn't be my fault. The "powers that be" make living a normal, decent life – where you bring up your children and send them to school and work for a living and pay your bills and live your life – very challenging.
As I get older . . .I'm learning to chill out and not sweat the small stuff.
My children. . . make me laugh every day. I love hanging out with them. They give me an excuse to be silly.
On opening night. . . I get very nervous. Lycopodium, anyone?
My favourite way to relax is. . . sleeping. Power naps, lazy lie-ins, snoozing on the couch. I'm very good at sleeping.
The person who has the biggest influence on me. . . is my big brother Ray. He's a rock of sense and is always there for me with a wise word and a glass of wine.
Starring as a "lovely girl" in 'Father Ted' was . . .at the time, great craic, but now that it has achieved cult status, I feel very proud to have been part of it.
The role I'd most love to play is. . . whatever role I'm playing when I'm asked that question – there is only the here and now.
My artistic heroes are . . .Brian Friel for beautiful words and Sandy Kennedy for beautiful paintings.
If I were running the country . .. I'd give everyone Mondays off.
The best piece of advice I've ever been given. . . was from my cookery teacher. Her motto was "stow as you go". I think it's a metaphor for life. If you deal with things straight away, then they won't be hanging over you at a later date. And your kitchen will always be tidy.
If I wasn't an actor . .. I'd be a taxi driver. I started driving rather late in life, but took to it like a duck to water. One of my favourite things is to drive around aimlessly, listening to the radio, adding to the gridlock. Bliss.
I'm most proud of . . .my garden. I seem to be naturally green-fingered – I just pop a few seeds in the ground and within weeks I've an abundance of rhubarb, raspberries, spinach or cucumbers. Nothing beats fresh fruit and vegetables that you've grown yourself.
Roles for women .. . are something I really like to see in new writing, especially when it originates new roles. Martin McDonagh and Mark O'Rowe are two of my favourite writers who write particularly well for women.
If I lost everything in the morning .. . It wouldn't be my fault.
Most people don't know that .. . I'm a compulsive liar. Except for the answers in this article, of course.
Dawn Bradfield is starring in the title role of Brian Friel's Molly Sweeneyat the Gate Theatre until July 23rd. gate-theatre.ie