English actress Miriam Margolyes told Friday night's Late Late Show audience that she’d "like to be Irish".
Margolyes and Senator Lynn Ruane joined host Ryan Tubridy on the couch to discuss their summer holiday in a campervan and their upcoming documentary about Lady Gregory.
Straight from the get-go, Miriam Margolyes had the audience in her hand when Ryan asked about their friendship.
"She’s not a lesbian," the English actress said, referring to Lynne, much to the amusement of the audience. "I want to make that quite clear . . . But we really hit it off and I love her. I think she’s the most wonderful person."
Ryan then asked Lynne about the first time they met, at her home in Dublin's Tallaght. "We were nervous, and all the neighbours were out in the garden, scones were being made and Miriam just fitted straight in. It was really lovely."
More laughter ensued when Miriam added: "I’m not used to that kind of atmosphere. A bit rough. But they were so warm and friendly. It was just lovely."
Ryan then explained to Miriam situations where she could use the Dublin expression "I will in me hoop!" before they got down to the business of discussing Lady Gregory.
"She started off English," Miriam explained. "So she became Irish. She changed. She made a journey and realised that the English are bastards! And we are! It’s true! And we exploited, and were bad landlords and unkind . . .
"She belonged to the English ascendancy - and they were awful people."
Lynne then added: "When she was growing up she would’ve been looked after by the catholic servants. Working-class, catholic, Irish speakers, that seemed to have a massive impact on Lady Gregory . . . as she moved towards a nationalist outlook."
Both Miriam and Lynne also made some disparaging remarks about WB Yeats and agreed he was "a creep", with Miriam noting that "he didn’t treat her [Lady Gregory] with the proper respect."
The Late Late Show, Fridays, RTÉ One
