Saoirse Ronan is a remarkable actress and an equally remarkable young woman. Not yet 16 (she reaches that milestone in April), the Carlow girl has already amassed a body of work that would be the envy of her many older and more celebrated peers. Indeed not too many 15-year-olds can number the likes of Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, Keira Knightley and Vanessa Redgrave among their co-stars (and friends), nor have been directed by the likes of Peter Jackson, Joe Wright and Peter Weir; but such is the lot of Saoirse Ronan.

On closer examination, it’s perhaps not surprising that young Ms Ronan should have already made such a mark in the film business. The New York-born, Ardattin-raised actress is the daughter of actor, Paul Ronan (When the Sky Falls, Poker Nights), who once introduced his very young daughter to Brad Pitt when he was working on The Devil’s Own in 1996 (sadly, she has no recollection of the incident). Ronan senior has been there, done that and worn the t-shirt, so he’s a useful guide to his daughter as she makes her way in a business that can offer untold advantages but can be equally perilous for the unwary.

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However, unwary is certainly not an adjective you’d associate with Saoirse Ronan. On and off-screen, there’s a confidence and maturity about her that has seen her tackle a variety of difficult roles, not least her star-is-born performance as Briony Tallis in Atonement (2007). Keira Knightley might have had the starring role in the film but she and everyone else were blown off the screen by the Irish actress. Award recognition followed and, though Tilda Swinton pipped her to the Oscar, Saoirse is going to need all the fancy frocks she can lay her hands on this year following her superb portrayal of murdered teenager Susie Salmon in Peter Jackson’s upcoming adaptation of Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones.

Michael Doherty: You’ve been travelling the world recently promoting The Lovely Bones, so how does it feel to be back in Ireland again?

Saoirse Ronan: It’s really nice, I have to say. When we were flying back last night, every time the pilot mentioned Ireland or Dublin, I was like ‘Wahay!’ I’ve been to many amazing places recently but to be back home is something special.

Is the film being received differently in different territories, given that the plot hinges on a half-way world between earth and heaven?

It’s been positive wherever I have gone but some people have connected more strongly with the notion of that in-between world. In Tokyo, for example, they were fascinated by how beautiful that world was presented by Peter Jackson on screen because that’s a strong part of their religion. During the first 49 days of mourning, they go to this in-between place. I didn’t realise that until I went there.

Has it been an almost surreal time for you; travelling around the world, meeting celebs and staying in the fanciest hotel rooms?

The hotels are a bit samey so I’d prefer to be in a house, sitting by a fire! But a few years ago when Atonement came out I didn’t actually go to many award shows or things like that so I didn’t meet too many really famous people. This time I have; which has been really exciting!

Go on: drop a good name . . . !

Well, I met Meryl Streep, which was just exciting! It was one of those pinch-yourself moments. And I’ve had a few of those this year.

For a 15-year-old who has had so many pinch-yourself moments, you seem remarkably grounded. Has it helped that your dad is with you and in the business and do your friends keep you grounded, too?

Yes, everyone that surrounds me keeps me on an even keel. My mam and dad come with me everywhere I go and it really helps that dad understands the business. Filming is fine but when it comes to this kind of stuff and dealing with the press, he’s been great, because I need someone like that around me. And when I’m at home, my friends don’t really talk about my films that much, which separates the two worlds and makes it more of a normal life for me.

So far, Saoirse, it’s fair to say that you haven’t taken typical teenage roles but roles that require a level of maturity and are more demanding of our attention. Was that by luck or design?

When I started out I didn’t want to ever play a character that’s been done a thousand times over, and that’s still the case today. I also don’t want to repeat myself, so I have to keep all of that in my mind when I’m choosing projects and that’s only starting to really happen for me now. I’m reading scripts and the most important things for me are a great director on board and a well-written character on the page.

You’ve managed to pull off some convincing accents so far in your career. Are people surprised when they meet you and hear the Carlow girl talking?

Yeah, especially in the States! When Atonement came out, nobody knew who I was and they all thought that I was English. They were shocked by my strong Irish accent. That went for England, too, and sometimes in Ireland actually! They also seemed surprised that I was quite a happy person in real life! I think people know now where I’m from and that I do different accents so they’re kinda used to it.

We’re coming into the awards season again and you’re a bit of a dab hand at this after Atonement. You mentioned Meryl Streep earlier. How does it feel to be pitched against her for a BAFTA?

It’s really exciting. She’s one of my favourite actresses so to be in the same category as her, and the other actresses, is wonderful. They’ve all done fantastic work this year. Just to be in their company and to be nominated is fantastic. I don’t think such things would ever get boring or would ever be something you wouldn’t care about. It’s always wonderful when people recognise your work and a performance you have given, but it’s not why I do what I do.

Is there someone whose career you have particularly admired? I’m assuming that Jodie Foster, who also took on atypical roles when she was young and was always described as ‘an actress’ rather than ‘a young actress’, would be up there?

Yes, that’s something that’s important to me. Jodie Foster is a great example of that. I don’t really want to follow anyone else because everyone has to take their own career path; but to become as successful and as respected a film-maker as Jodie Foster is definitely something I’d aspire to.

I want to ask you about that key sequence in The Lovely Bones where Stanley Tucci lures your character into that underground hideout. Was that a difficult scene to prepare, particularly since off-screen, Tucci is famously such a nice guy?

It actually made it easier to play that scene knowing that Stanley and I got on so well and I’m glad we had such a good relationship. It meant we were very comfortable with each other on and off-screen. That made it easier for us to go to some intense and uncomfortable places sometimes. For me it’s all about imagination. Acting is always about completely giving yourself over to a scene and completely believing in what you are doing when the cameras start to roll. Luckily, I was able to break away from it in between takes and could go over and give Stanley a hug!

You’ve just finished filming Peter Weir’s WWII thriller The Way Back. What was it like to work with Colin Farrell on that movie?

It was really nice to have someone Irish on the set. Colin’s just a great guy anyway. He’s like this normal guy who happens to be an actor and he’s a great guy to have around. To have Peter Weir leading us through this journey, which was quite difficult sometimes because of the locations involved [India, Morocco, Bulgaria] was a dream. He’s so in control and yet so completely selfless.

I mentioned earlier about your atypical teenage roles. You’re teaming up with Joe Wright [Atonement] again for the lead role in Hanna, whom the director himself has described as ‘a cold-blooded killing machine’.

Is that how he described her?! Yep, she’s pretty much that. It’s about a 14-year-old girl who has been trained all of her life by her father to defend herself and she finds herself having to kill. It’s really interesting and a very different role to Atonement and neither of us has done an action movie before so it’s very exciting.

I’m guessing that an action movie means plenty of gym work?

Yes, I am in the gym. I have to work out six days a week but I actually really like it. I’m learning fighting techniques, too, but luckily my dad is brilliant at different types of martial arts.

How are the muscles coming along?

They’re sore! I had done some training in LA but a few days ago I had my first proper work-out in the gym, lifting the weights and all that, so my muscles are really sore today!

What do you miss most about Ireland when you’re away on these exotic locations?

I couldn’t say just one thing. I always miss my dog, Saffy. I love her and you can’t explain to your dog that you are going away for a couple of weeks to do press for a movie!

Tell the truth, have you ever Skyped Saffy?

Honestly, no. That would be stupid! I know some actors do that and others talk to their pets over the phone but I don’t do that. Apart from Saffy, I miss the food and the tea. I really, really miss the tea!

Finally Saoirse, if we were to meet in five years time, when you have reached the ripe old age of 20, what else would you like to have achieved in your career?

Well, I don’t like to have a set plan because whether you like it or not, things are going to change. I want to continue making movies and I also want to direct when I’m older. You never know what’s going to happen, but I’m looking at some really interesting scripts at the moment and they will all happen over the next few years. So hopefully in five years when we meet up, I will still be doing what I’m doing!

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