In her brand new cover interview for Harper's Bazaar UK, Saoirse Ronan has paid tribute to Sinead O'Connor, while describing the pride she feels to be an Irish women in the entertainment industry.

The four-time Oscar nominee devulged that she doesn't take for granted the "incredible stock" she comes from, including the likes of Sharon Horgan, star of Catastrophe and Bad Sisters. "Think of Sinéad (O’Connor), or Sharon (Horgan), everyone who was around in the 70s, 80s and 90s, who just didn’t give a fuck and moved away from the template that had been set," Ronan commented.

"There’s been a lot to overcome for all women, but I think in a country like Ireland, where there was such ownership over us in every sense, physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, how unbelievably brave.

"What incredible stock to come from. I don’t take that for granted at all."

Known across the world for her incredible collaborations with Greta Gerwig in Lady Bird and Little Women, and other films like Brooklyn and Atonement, the actress also spoke about the power of women supporting women, saying: "When you've got other women in your corner, they will defend you like nothing else. If you have that - which I’ve always had from my mother - you carry it with you your whole life."

Photograph: Harper’s Bazaar UK/Agata Pospieszynska

The actress has taken on a string of dramatic roles, which also include starring roles in the upcoming FOE, Ammonite and The Lovely Bones, the latter at a rather young age, Ronan said she's enthusiatic to take on some comedic roles.

Ronan commented: "I would love to do something modern and funny. But to be able to do comedy well requires so much skill and musicality. I don’t necessarily think I have that yet - although as I’ve got older, I am more comfortable and confident to try."

She added: "As an actor, if you’ve worked your way up and had quite a well-rounded experience, you’ll have played minor roles and played leads.

"You’ll have been treated really well; you’ll have been treated like shit. You’ll have been used; you’ll have been taken care of. I think there’s a real humility that comes with that."

Saoirse also added that she would like to turn to directing one day: "Some directors make the mistake of thinking that one size fits all. And while, yes, you have to be a leader, actually for the best results, you have to bend towards your actors - adjust to them and make them feel they can do anything."

Check out Ronan on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar UK, which is available to purchase now.

Saoirse Ronan on the Harper's Bazaar UK front cover.