Cork woman Liz FitzGibbon, who started calling herself an atheist at 14, on how actors can’t book days offLiz FitzGibbon John O'ConnorSun Jul 26 2026 - 06:00 • 4 MIN READHow agreeable are you?I think I’m pretty agreeable. I find it easy to get on with people, I always have. I grew up in the hospitality industry. I worked there from quite a young age. Obviously as an actor you’re constantly changing who you work with, whether its cast or crew. Being easy-going on set – I think it is really helpful. What is your middle name and what do you think of it?I don’t have one. My mom didn’t think there was any point in them and I kind of agree with her. I haven’t missed it anyways. I’m just Liz. Where is your favourite place in Ireland?Youghal in Co Cork. It’s a beautiful place with kilometres of a beautiful blue flag beach. It was a gorgeous place to grow up. I still have so many of my closest friends here. It’s got an amazing creative community with musicians and artists. It’s a hidden gem. I lived away for so many years in Dublin and London and then eventually I was like, what am I doing? So now I come home as much as I can between acting jobs. Every time I come back it’s a big sense of relief, a breath of fresh air. Describe yourself in three wordsI was going to say mischievous but in a playful, wild vibe, wild child kind of way. Water-baby, if that’s one word, I grew up overlooking the water. I would also like to say I’m caring, I care a lot about my family and friends.When did you last get angry?I’m pretty chill day to day. I try not to let the small things get me angry, but I tend to get very angry about the ongoing genocide in Gaza and persecution of the Palestinian people. It’s hard when there are clowns in charge of these countries around the world causing absolute chaos and not to get a bit angry. What is your strongest childhood memory?I must have been quite young, sitting on my dad’s lap at a music session in the old Cliff House in Ardmore and I’m half dozing off and having one of his hands over my ear and my other ear on his chest. You know when a memory is hazy, but you remember it, it’s kind of the way I just remember the sound of his hand over my ear and hearing the music through that.What have you lost that you would like to have back?I used to play piano and I don’t any more and it’s something I’d love to get back. I did my exams up to grade 8 and I just stopped at 18. I was never really comfortable playing in front of people. Where do you come in your family’s birth order and has it defined you?I’m the youngest. I would like to think I wasn’t spoiled but I was definitely doted on by all my family. I’m still a baby in the family, even though I’m not a baby any more. I got a lot of leeway. My family were very encouraging for me becoming an actor from a young age. Being the youngest probably helps the wild child in me.When do you think you were happiest?It’s the simple things that make me happy in life. Having a pint with my pals, having a laugh and the chats. I had a big birthday recently and I didn’t want a fuss. I just wanted to have a chill kind of vibe. I had my friends in Youghal come to my house and we got a keg of Guinness. It was like an old-school night. So I think it’s the simple things. What do you think happens when we die?I started calling myself an atheist at 14, which would suggest I think nothing happens when we die. As I’ve got older I’ve probably become more spiritual, maybe leaning towards the pagan Irish side of things. I believe in energies and we’re made up of this energy that doesn’t die. I definitely don’t believe in God. Which actor would play you in a biopic about your life?Jessie Buckley. I don’t know her but I met her dad and he was so lovely and down to earth. She is incredible. She can just get the light and dark of a character so well. So I’d say she can get the light and dark side of me as well. What is your biggest career/personal regret?I feel very lucky and fortunate in my career. I’m happy with the choices I’ve made. It’s not a regret but I do miss out on some special occasions with family and friends as an actor. It’s not like you can book a day off. It’s a downside but I’ve absolutely no regrets. Liz FitzGibbon returns to the stage at the Abbey Theatre for Animals, based on the short stories of Blindboy Boatclub, September 23rd-November 7thIN THIS SECTION