Thanks are due to my parents, for more than I can say, but mostly for not freaking out when they learned what this book was about; Tadhg O’Sullivan, for insight and guidance that is invariably generous and wise; Kevin Barry, Olivia Smith, Derek Walmsley, and Brendan Barrington, for editing and improving a number of these essays; Lisa Coen and Sarah Davis-Goff for their belief, attention, and enthusiasm in making this a much better book than it was before; the Coen family, for their heart-warming hospitality; Shane Culloty and Suzanne Walsh for many conversations that furthered the writing in this book; and most of all to Niamh Corcoran, who was there at every step, and saw everything as it happened – without your endless love, support, and kindness, this book would not exist.