From the screenwriter and director of The Wind That Shakes The Barley, comes Jimmy’s Hall. In 1921, Jimmy Gralton’s sin was to build a dance hall on a rural crossroads in Ireland where young people could come to learn, to argue, to dream – but, above all, to dance and have fun.

The film is set in 1932 and follows events when Jimmy returned from a decade in New York and reopened the hall.

Directed by the acclaimed Ken Loach, the film stars actress Simone Kirby, who has performed in The Old Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe in London, appeared in television dramas including Pure Mule and has also acted in feature films alongside Nicolas Cage and Robert Sheehan.

To mark the release of Jimmy’s Hall, Irish Country Living “took five” with Simone.

My earliest memory is: My first day at school. I was three, nearly four. I remember all the other little faces huddled at the door.

My first job was: Cleaning toilets in Shannon Airport.

My first crush was: A red-haired boy on my street. I had a thing for red heads in my youth.

The song that makes me feel 16 is: Anything by Guns ‘n’ Roses. I was obsessed.

My signature dish is: Probably roast chicken. But I make mean scones too.

My favourite film is: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Gene Wilder is perfect.

My favourite place to escape is: The garden. Or when I get lucky, the sea. A swim in the sea is something I wish I could do much more often.

My secret talent is: Swatting flies. I get very focused.

My make-up essential is: Anything to calm my curly hair down. Water works.

The three things I would bring to a desert island are: Well, not things, but people. I can manage without much, but I need people. So, three of my nearest and dearest.

Jimmy’s Hall is on cinema release now. Follow at www.facebook.com/JimmysHallFilm

and @JimmysHallFilm