People

Have you ever thought directors would prefer if you were not looking over their shoulder while they are making movies?
Definitely

Favourite book:
The Bank Manager and the Holy Grail, by Byron Rogers. Part history, part politics, part gonzo journalism, this is an exploration of Wales, past and present, that defies description, but is a must-read.

Since last February I have had several meetings with Catherine Nevin in the Dochas centre at Mountjoy. At each of the meetings, her solicitor, Anne Fitzgibbon, was in attendance.

By any standards he has been extraordinarily successful in business. He started in a small company in Cork, Sutton's, as an employee in 1960 and today he is one of the most powerful business people in Ireland, by far the most commanding presence in the Irish media, along with business interests around the world.

An experienced teacher and scholar, Parag Deshpande was happy to be offered a PhD scholarship at the University of Limerick. But he couldn't have his wife and child too. He tells Rashmi Sawhney how Ireland coveted his mind, but wouldn't let him bring his life with him

An experienced teacher and scholar, Parag Deshpande was happy to be offered a PhD scholarship at the University of Limerick. But he couldn't have his wife and child too. He tells Rashmi Sawhney how Ireland coveted his mind, but wouldn't let him bring his life with him

Are you a Rock Star or a DJ?  
DJ, better hours, no need to write songs just play other peoples, class! 

Favourite book: I tend to like the books I've just read – something to do with a short attention span. I've just read Independence Day by Richard Ford, the second of his trilogy about Frank Bascombe after The Sportswriter and both are brilliant. But I've also just reread The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen – it's a hilarious almost-perfect depiction of a family in crisis ending around the holiday season. I've given it to at one stage or another to all of my family member  and we fight about who's who at Christmas.

Gardener Diarmuid Gavin, reputed for his wacky bold garden designs, returned to Ireland this year having reaped success across the pond. But success did not come easily. By Emma Browne

Diarmuid Gavin has been called many things – “enfant terrible”, “the punk rock gardener”, “the Damien Hirst of garden design”. And the impression portrayed by the media, mainly the British media, is of an arrogant, difficult man with a big ego.

Favourite book:
Catch 22 - I read it when I was about 11, so I'm sure most of it flew straight over my head, but the sense of humour was a huge influence.