logo
Ireland's ‘film censor' Ciarán Kissane: ‘My mother told me I watched too much TV and now I watch movies for a living'

Ireland's ‘film censor' Ciarán Kissane: ‘My mother told me I watched too much TV and now I watch movies for a living'

Irish Times4 days ago
How agreeable are you?
I've developed my skills over the years to see things from a range of perspectives, which is very useful in
my job
. When you're making decisions on
classifications
, seeing things from different perspectives and being open to being persuaded on different points of view is important.
What's your middle name and what do you think of it?
Francis. I was lucky enough to go to
Assisi
, and while I wouldn't be a very religious person, it's a very spiritual place. The other St Francis that I came across was St Francis de Sales, who is the patron saint of journalists and writers. I don't know whether it was one or the other who inspired my parents, but maybe it was the premonition of the work I was going to do in the future.
Where is your favourite place in Ireland?
Anywhere along the west coast I have a real love for, and especially the offshore islands. I've been lucky enough to go to most of them, but if I had to pick one place, it probably would be Kilkee in west
Clare
. Some years ago, I was lucky enough to get involved in scuba diving, and Kilkee has got world-class dive sites at the mouth of a beautiful bay.
Describe yourself in three words.
Curious, gracious, affable.
READ MORE
When did you last get angry?
When I think about anger, I think about The Incredible Hulk. In the context of that character, anger is about uncontrollable rage and destruction. I'm much more comfortable with things that I find annoying, frustrating, or that make me sad.
[
Ireland used to ban films. Now it's more relaxed than Britain or the US about what's on screen. Why?
Opens in new window
]
What have you lost that you would like to have back?
Youth. The energy and the optimism of it. As you get older, you get more aware of the physical dangers around you, and you certainly can't do as much as you could. Take scuba diving, for example. After a dive, I find it harder every year to haul myself up on to a dive boat. I'm still managing to do it, but I wish I were in my 20s when I was able to just jump up and get straight back on the boat.
What's your strongest childhood memory?
My mother telling me during an episode of Blankety Blank that my grandfather had died suddenly. He lived with us, so he was a constant fixture. He always had time to chat with you. He used to sit on the couch, read a book, smoke a pipe and watch for people coming into the shop – he had a butcher's shop, but at this stage it was very much winding down. I remember the smell of tobacco smoke, and him reading the Poldark books …
Where do you come in your family's birth order and has it defined you?
I'm the fourth of six. One of the things about being part of a large family is that there was never any sense of somebody else trying to steer your direction or your career path. My mother, who loved books, television and cinema, often told me that I watched too much TV, and here I am watching movies for a living. She'd get a laugh out of that if she were still with us.
What do you expect to happen when you die?
I expect to be scattered at sea with the Saw Doctors' song Carry Me Away playing in the background. There's a lovely line in it where it says, 'Scatter me forever where I've felt most alive'. To be left to the sea would be great because, for me, the underwater environment is a magical place.
When were you happiest?
One of the places where I find the most peace is if I'm underwater and there are perfect climate conditions. You don't often get that, but sometimes, when people ask you to envisage a perfect moment, for me it generally comes from some time when I was underwater.
Which actor would play you in a biopic about your life?
I know how hard it is to get money together to make something, especially something that's non-commercial, so if anyone were to make a biopic about my life – and I don't think anyone would – they would surely struggle to raise the budget.
What's your biggest career/personal regret
?
I don't really do regrets because I'm a glass-half-full person, and you can't change the past. We have a lot of agency to tell ourselves our own stories, and while you've got to be aware of the negatives, in my view it's critical to focus on the positive.
Have you any psychological quirks?
My children say that I can't stay still. They may be right – I'm constantly trying to do too much rather than do one or two things.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sharlene Mawdsley ‘swapping streets of Thurles for the track' as she shares first training pic since All-Ireland race
Sharlene Mawdsley ‘swapping streets of Thurles for the track' as she shares first training pic since All-Ireland race

The Irish Sun

time36 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

Sharlene Mawdsley ‘swapping streets of Thurles for the track' as she shares first training pic since All-Ireland race

SHARLENE MAWDSLEY joked she was "swapping the streets of Thurles for the track" as she shared her first training pic since Tipperary won the All-Ireland title. A video emerged on social media on Tuesday 3 Sharlene Mawdsley celebrating after Tipperary won the All-Ireland SHC Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 3 She went viral with an apparent road race with a former Tipp hurler 3 She made light of the race on Instagram Despite him being given a sizeable head start, The 26-year-old appeared to make light of the clip on her Instagram Story on Wednesday. She shared a photo from the Templemore Athletics Track with the caption: "Swapping the streets of Thurles for the track today" alongside three laughing faces. The Newport AC export basked in the celebrations after Tipperary Read More on Sharlene Mawdsley Her boyfriend, Michael Breen, impressed at corner-back on the day as Liam Cahill's men came from six-points down to rout the Rebels in the second-half at Croke Park. After the game, Breen brought his newly won trophy to his better half, who And on Instagram, the Irish Olympian paid an Alongside photos of the happy couple after the game, she wrote: "Proud of you every day, but that little bit prouder today" Most read in GAA Hurling The power couple went on to get glammed up for the The sense of pride, such as that shown by Mawdsley, was also one of the main points of emphasis Sharlene Mawdsley takes part in hilarious road race as part of Tipperary's All-Ireland celebration Speaking post-match to "I want to take the opportunity as well, if you don't mind, to big shout out to my mam and dad at home. "My mother probably has the rosary beads swallowed at this stage and my father probably has the cows milked three times with nervousness. "Just so thrilled for everybody. Supporters, the whole shebang. "As I said leading into the All-Ireland: players win matches and managers lose them. "The reality of it is that everybody from county board, people in the supporters club and the various teams behind the set up that support us, that allow us to create a high performance environment, have just been superb. "The honesty of that group of players. I never doubted them. "I know we were all a bit sensitive after last year with what happened and some of the criticism was probably deserved at times. "But I knew the quality of these men and, once we got in among them and supported them better and got them back believing again, we would have a great opportunity of lifting the spirits of the Tipperary people. "They came here in their thousands today. I am just so happy." If that interview went off without a hitch, the same could not quite be said While reflecting with Thomas Niblock, the presenter host gestured him towards his Tipp players who were passing by in the background. When Cahill raised his arm in celebration, the players let out a massive roar before swarming their beloved boss and carrying him away with them.

‘Almost started bawling' – Rhasidat Adeleke thrilled after huge turnout to women-only run club at DCU
‘Almost started bawling' – Rhasidat Adeleke thrilled after huge turnout to women-only run club at DCU

The Irish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

‘Almost started bawling' – Rhasidat Adeleke thrilled after huge turnout to women-only run club at DCU

RHASIDAT Adeleke was left thrilled after hosting a women-only run club at Dublin City University on Tuesday. It was a sponsored event in conjunction with the energy drink brand CELSIUS®. 4 Despite still only being 22, Adeleke has been the face of Irish athletics for a couple of years 4 A huge crowd gathered outside the campus' Helix venue Credit: @rhasidat_adeleke 4 Rhasidat said she 'almost started bawling' after meeting one of her biggest fans Credit: @rhasidat_adeleke 4 The sprinter held a meet and greet with attendees afterwards Credit: @rhasidat_adeleke The run club was, however, free for all attendees with the emphasis on it being welcoming to runners of all levels as it offered various pace ranges across its 5km route. The Dubliner led everyone through a warm-up before they really got moving. Participants were rewarded for completing the run with a complimentary goodie bag in addition to getting the chance to snag a selfie with Speaking beforehand to Read More On Irish Sport She laid out: 'I'm so excited to be back on home turf doing what I love most – running. 'It's even more special to be doing it with my CELSIUS family, and I can't wait to connect with everyone at the CELSIUS VIBE Run Club. 'Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, this is all about good vibes, great energy, and pushing each other to be our best.' It stacks up she's consistently spoken about only wanting to be involved with brands that echo her approach to healthy living. Most read in Athletics The 200 metre ace's times have been steadily improving on the track over her last few outings. Sharlene Mawdsley takes part in hilarious road race as part of Tipperary's All-Ireland celebration On July 19 she clocked a season's best time of 22.52 seconds Her primary focus since the outset of 2025 has been the World Athletics Championships which will get under way on September 13 in Tokyo. On her approach to training until then, she added: 'I'm just trying to stay healthy, motivated and disciplined on the road to the World Championships. 'It's about a month and a half away, so we're keeping our eyes on that.'

BBC denies cutting out Irish language lyrics from new CMAT song after singer criticises ‘crazy edit'
BBC denies cutting out Irish language lyrics from new CMAT song after singer criticises ‘crazy edit'

Irish Times

time4 hours ago

  • Irish Times

BBC denies cutting out Irish language lyrics from new CMAT song after singer criticises ‘crazy edit'

Irish singer CMAT has criticised the cutting of Irish language lyrics of her new song 'EURO-COUNTRY' on BBC Radio, describing it as 'a crazy edit'. The song was released yesterday and debuted on BBC Radio 1 at about 6pm. The first 45 seconds of the nearly five minute song were cut and featured lyrics in Irish. 'It was not my decision to have the Irish language edited out of the first ever play of EURO-COUNTRY on radio,' CMAT said. 'I don't know if it was a mistake or what happened, but that was not my decision. I don't know who edited it out – that was crazy of them.' READ MORE Taking to social media, the Meath-born singer, whose full name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, said BBC representatives were in contact with her yesterday 'and said that they are going to play the Irish language intro, the full version of EURO-COUNTRY tomorrow to make up for it'. 'Not my decision, but they're fixing it,' she said. In a response to The Irish Times, a BBC spokesperson said: 'BBC Radio 1 did not edit the Irish language from this single.' They said the station played the radio version of the song 'that was supplied by the record label'. The added that the station 'has already played the full version that includes the Irish language intro today ... and it will be played again' on two shows later today. The lyrics at the start of the song read: 'Cad is gá dom a dhéanamh mura bhfuil mé ag bualadh leat? / Tá ceann folamh agam, agus peastantach nua / Eirím níos dofheicthe, is tú imithe ó mo shoal / Níl aon rud fágtha sa scátháin / An mbeidh mé álainn mhaol?' This translates in English to: 'What am I to do if I'm not meeting you? / I have an empty head, and a new personality / I become more invisible, you're gone from my life / There's nothing left in the mirror / Will I be beautiful bald?' The song's bridge, which references the spike in suicides after the 2008 financial crash, was also edited out of the radio broadcast. 'All the big boys / All the Berties / All the envelopes, yeah they hurt me,' she sings in reference to scandal surrounding former taoiseach Bertie Ahern. 'I was 12 when the das started killing themselves all around me,' she continues in the song's bridge. 'They also did a crazy editing out of [that line], which I guess is more understandable,' CMAT said on social media.. In an interview with The Irish Times last month, she explained that 'everyone else on the estate we lived in worked in construction, or in shops, and they all lost their jobs. Everyone became unemployed' in the aftermath of the crash. 'Then, in the village I grew up in, there was a year or 18 months where loads of the people I went to school with, their dads started killing themselves because they'd lost everything in the crash,' she said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store