Actor Carrie Crowley: ‘I’m not sure I’d like to be a young person in today’s world’ Actor and broadcaster Carrie Crowley has shared her reflections on modern life in a recent interview with The Irish Times, expressing uncertainty about whether she would choose to be a young person growing up in today’s world. In the interview published on April 26, 2026, Crowley described herself as independent, positive, and ferociously so—traits she says have softened with age but remain central to her outlook. She spoke fondly of her childhood experiences, recalling how her family often picked up hitchhikers during car trips, welcoming travelers from Ireland and beyond, including many from Scandinavia. When asked about her middle name, Crowley revealed it is Anne. She was christened Caroline Anne, though she noted her parents had considered the name Constance. Her father, whom she called Con, inspired her wish to have been another Connie in the family. Whereas school friends sometimes used her full name Caroline, at home it was reserved for playful teasing or gentle reprimands. She clarified that despite the similarity to The Hollies’ song “Carrie-Anne,” she was never known by that compound name. Crowley identified Glencolumcille in southwest Donegal as her favorite place in Ireland. Although her mother’s family roots are in The Rosses and she spent summers cycling between Meenbanad and Cruit Island, it was her discovery of Glencolumcille in 1994 during an Oideas Gael adult Irish-language course that turned it into a lifelong retreat. She has returned every summer for 32 years, praising its stunning beaches and the welcoming community of Irish speakers. Describing herself in three words, Crowley chose “Independent. Ferociously so, and probably argumentatively so as a younger woman. I suspect I’ve mellowed with age, but I still like to step out into the world on my own terms. Positive. I’m definitely a glass-half-full person, or a glass almost full.” She also emphasized how open air revitalizes her mood, saying she feels more agreeable after time outdoors—whether from the sea, cycling, or simply stepping off her bike—compared to being in enclosed, stuffy spaces. The interview, conducted and published by The Irish Times on April 26, 2026, offers a personal glimpse into Crowley’s values, memories, and enduring connection to Ireland’s landscape and culture.
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