Shane Daniel Byrne: Mad Hatter Q&A

Who would be the last person you would invite to your birthday party?
Stephen Donnelly because he’d make the whole night about him.

Who would be the first person you would invite to your birthday party?
My boyfriend Prince Raymond.

Favourite saying?
U=U (Google it!)

Favourite record?
The Girls Aloud Megamix is one I return to.

Favourite book?
Vernon God Little was my first grown up book that I remember really loving.

Favourite film?
Any French film where a man smokes nude at a window exposing his coarse continental bush.

Favourite author?
Per Petterson

Favourite actor/actress?
Irish actors! Peter Daly & Lauren Larkin

Favourite musician?
Pillow Queens at the minute.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Each and every moment I spend in the gym.

Favourite food/drink/stimulant?
Guinness x 3

TV programme?
The Leftovers for serious things and The Simpsons otherwise.

Favourite TV personality?
Sarah McInerney is my new fave. Smart, bold and a bit of craic.

Favourite item of clothing?
I try to buy pre-loved. I just bought a mustardy/yellow vintage denim jacket from Nine Crows and I’m obsessed with myself.

Most desirable date?
Early evening coffee with a swift transition into drinks and a light meal followed by making love like a French couple in a film.

Favourite method of relaxation?
I’m not very good at relaxing but every now and then I try to meditate and that works.

If you weren’t pursuing your present career, what other career might you have chosen?
I like working with young people a lot. Not as a teacher. Maybe therapy for young people.

Biggest thrill?
Performing stand-up. Every.Damn.Time.

Biggest disappointment?
The lack of effective action/policies concerning climate change from governments around the world.

Your concept of heaven?
Not even ashamed of this but I love the half an hour after I have done a deep clean of my house. The kind my mother would have done pre-Christmas/Communions/Confirmations.

Your concept of hell?
Being asked to be in a “just the lads” photo at a wedding.

What would be your dying words?
Thank you and I’m sorry.

Greatest ambition?
A sold out solo show in Vicar Street and the party after.

Period of history you’d most like to have lived in and why?
Ancient Greece. Loved learning it in school for the mythology and the stories. As an adult, I’m interested in the foundation of theatre, democracy and pre-Christian attitudes on morality, philosophy and sex. Also sunny!

If you weren’t a human being which animal would you have chosen to be?
Dolphin. They’re in such great shape.

Your nominee for the world’s best-dressed person?
Right now it’s Lil Nas X for pairing macho blokey boxers with fierce femme thigh high stiletto boots.

Favourite term of abuse?
Schmingflaw (Sorry private joke, no offence xo)

Biggest fear?
There is nine years left to stop irreversible damage caused by Climate Change

Humanity’s most useful invention?
Paper. C’mon it’s great. admit it.

Humanity’s most useless invention?
A “backpack designed for freelancers” that Instagram tries to get me to buy every single day of my life.

• Follow Shane on Instagram on @shanedanbyrne