Is your character a pirate? "That question is the bane of my existence. No, not by the standards we associate with [piracy]."

What standards would these be? "She didn't simply board ships and steal stuff from people. And she didn't board ships and kill people. She operated as a merchant and as a warrior, and also as a pilot. It was the British who accused her of piracy, because it annoyed them that she had such control over the western seas of Ireland."

So, no talking parrots or eye-patches? "Sadly, no."

Are you Irish in heritage? "Very. In fact, when we tour in Ireland in October I'll be getting my dual citizenship."

How do you get that? Were you born there? "No, my grandfather was, and my mother has hers. It's a fairly simple procedure, especially if you can do it over there."

What's the advantage of it? "It makes working over there a lot easier, and another handy thing is getting into museums there for free."

Isn't the Irish economy horribly depressed? "No. The economy of Ireland is the best in Europe--it's sort of become the 'Silicon Island' of Europe. Microsoft has a huge plant there. It's Northern Ireland that's a bit depressed."

Do you slip into an Irish accent when in Ireland? "I do, actually. Sadly."

Why is that sad? "It depends where I am and who I'm talking to. But I do tend to mimic the people I'm talking with when it comes to dialect, and some people aren't sure what to make of that. Some people think you're making fun of them."

Has anyone tried to punch you out? "No, but Irish people get angry with people who do it badly."

If you lost a limb, how would you replace it? "Most likely through a surgical procedure, as opposed to a wood stick."

Would you favor an eye-patch or a glass replacement? "Probably a patch."

Why? "I love to wear black."

Interview by Bret Fetzer.