"My grandfather played a mandolin, so I got my hands on that. Then on down to a banjo, and I found I couldn't play any kind of soft or mournful music with that so I took up the fiddle in my late 20s or early 30s - and that was far too late. But it keeps me off the streets. It has been a love of mine since I was 17 maybe"

This quote by Brendan Gleeson speaks to the power of music and how it can shape an individual's life. It is clear that music has been an enthusiasm of his considering that he was a young man. He mentions his grandpa playing the mandolin and how he got his hands on it. He then proceeded to the banjo, however discovered he couldn't play the kind of music he wanted to. He then used up the fiddle in his late twenties or early thirties, which he acknowledges was far too late. Despite this, he is appreciative for the instrument as it has kept him off the streets. Music has actually been a love of his since he was 17, and it is clear that it has been a huge part of his life since.