How agreeable are you?
It depends on what day you get me. When something needs to be said, I’m very passionate about speaking my mind, and I think it’s really important that people use their voice. I come from a family of six kids, so I’m used to being the peacekeeper at home. But I think when it comes to my job, and in my life, my professional life, I’m not afraid to speak up.
What’s your middle name and what do you think of it?
It’s Gráinne. And for some reason in school, maybe they were at the age where when they saw my middle name they weren’t the best at spelling out words, everyone called me Aisling Granny Breen. I mean it’s a lovely Irish name, but I’m not a fan. No offence to any Gráinnes out there, I’m friends with many of them, but for me, it’s a no.
Where is your favourite place in Ireland?
I love Dublin obviously, but apart from Dublin it’s got to be Cork. I’m a Dub through and through, but I’m afraid my heart belongs in Cork. I’ve done a lot of work there, the Cork Opera House, and I’ve got friends there. I just love it. It’s a vibe. We’re never going to get that compliment in reverse.
Describe yourself in three words
Caring. Manic. Fun.
I don’t believe in the afterlife. I think when I jump off the bus, that’s the last stop
When did you last get angry?
If I’m honest, the last time I got really angry, I was on Instagram and it was Trump supporters and it was an anti-trans rally. That really gives me a knot in my stomach. It’s in our face all the time, these videos of Trump and the Maga thing. And these ridiculous statements from anti-trans people. That would really make me angry.
What have you lost that you would like to have back?
My flexibility. I’d love a bit more flexibility in general. Many moons ago I was a dancer. I had a lot more flexibility and I guess that extends out into my life as well. I don’t have as much time to myself as I used to. That would be a goal I’d work towards. I’d like to be able to do the splits on top of some sort of a stable object once again.
What’s your strongest childhood memory?
I was a Billie Barry kid. I remember practising on a square bit of wood. If an aunt or uncle came over to the house, my mam would say, ‘Will you get out the board and do a bit of tap dancing there?’ or, ‘Do your impression of Dorothy from The Golden Girls.’
I would dress my brother up. He was made put on one of my velvet dresses and a hat and a little tinsel wig and he had to be my lovely assistant, which he hated. Which he absolutely hated. He just went along with it. That’s what younger brothers do for you. That’s love for you.
Where do you come in your family’s birth order, and has this defined you?
I’m actually the second youngest. There’s six of us. I’ve a younger brother, Adam, who writes comics. He’s deadly. I think the two of us were bunched into the youngest child category. When Adam was born, I acted like he wasn’t there, so I feel we both got the younger child treatment. I’d be good with my siblings coming to me for advice and stuff like that. But they might disagree, they might say I’ve definitely the youngest child syndrome going on.
What do you expect to happen when you die?
People to be devastated. I’m hoping people will be quite sad, but I also hope that they’ll have a nice aul’ party for me. I don’t believe in the afterlife. I think when I jump off the bus, that’s the last stop. I totally respect people’s idea of maybe coming back as a pigeon, or a lovely afterlife. It just isn’t there for me.
When were you happiest?
Definitely when I’m with my family and friends. And especially when I’m on a holiday. I guess it would be with family or friends on a holiday, and my partner Jamie. When we’re away somewhere like Ibiza, or somewhere in the sun, I would be at my happiest.
Which actor would play you in a biopic about your life?
Ideally Brenda Fricker, but Saoirse Ronan would be fantastic. There’s a picture of me. I was working on something, and I said, ‘Jesus, I look like Brenda Fricker.’ And my friend said, ‘You’re the image of her without the Oscar.’
What’s your biggest career or personal regret?
Not putting myself out there more when I was a bit younger. Letting my nerves get in the way. I’ve lots more to do, but I think letting what people think of me holds me back.
Have you any psychological quirks?
Oh god, I’ve so many. I’m especially sensitive to certain sounds. Whistling. I literally want to peel my skin off if you’re whistling. People sniffing on the bus really, really gets to me. I’ve always been sensitive to sound, which is very odd for someone who’s on stage. I’m used to loud music. I’m used to listening really intensely to music cues, but it’s these human-made noises that really drive me nuts. I’d be very conscious when I’m teaching that everyone’s okay with the sounds, that it’s nothing too loud.
I have a habit of ... if I’m at the kettle, or if I’m closing the door at night, or if I go up to bed ... doing a spin around, full circle. As I’m swinging out of the door knob I will do a spin. I’m Finglas’ answer to Kylie Minogue in that respect, spinning around. In terms of the spinning around, that would be where the comparison ends. I do not have her looks, physique or voice.
