“I don’t feel I’ve had to grow up faster because of my job. In a way, it helps to be a child, because children always act – it’s natural to pretend. Being around adults and involved in in-depth stories and thinking about characters has certainly helped me to mature. But I’ve always been kind of mature anyway, without forgetting that I’m still young.”

Saoirse Ronan photographed by Lorenzo Agius

I like books that are exciting and that make you think about things, as well. I like things that have a twist.

I think I’m really lucky to be around so many brilliant and talented people. I have a lot of friends who aren’t in the business. My two best friends I grew up with in Carlow are still my best friends and they don’t treat me any differently. I probably value friendship even more now than I did before, because you’re never sure whether people want to hang out with you because you’re famous or because you know someone who’s famous.

”I like books that are exciting and that make you think about things, as well. I like things that have a twist - like “Atonement”, which I haven’t read obviously, as I’m a bit young.”