Brendan Gleeson, the acclaimed Irish actor known for his roles in films such as *The Banshees of Inisherin* and *In Bruges*, has affirmed that he has no plans to retire, despite being 71 years old. Gleeson remains open to new projects, emphasizing a measured approach to selecting work rather than accepting roles for the sake of staying busy.

Currently, Gleeson is involved in the screen adaptation of *The Weir*, a play by Conor McPherson that marked his West End debut last year. He is also set to appear in *The Good Daughter*, a U.S. television series scheduled to premiere in November.

Speaking at St Francis Hospice in Raheny, Dublin, Gleeson highlighted his ongoing curiosity about acting but noted a shift in his attitude toward his career. “I won’t do something for the sake of it anymore,” he said, reflecting on a time when he felt compelled to keep working to avoid losing momentum. “It’s nice to be asked to do work, but it’s becoming easier to say no.”

The event coincided with the commencement of construction on a new inpatient unit at the hospice, which will feature 24 single-patient rooms and is expected to open by spring 2028. The expansion will include an underground car park and additional clinical support facilities aimed at increasing the hospice’s capacity to care for an estimated 3,000 more patients over the next 25 years.

Gleeson, whose own parents received care at the existing facility, expressed strong support for the hospice’s multi-million euro Buy-A-Brick campaign. The initiative invites donors to contribute by purchasing “virtual bricks” priced at €25, €100, or €250. To date, individual donors have contributed around €250,000, while contributions from businesses, trusts, and philanthropists have brought the total funds raised to approximately €3 million. Despite this progress, the hospice still aims to raise an additional €7.4 million to complete the project.

Reflecting on the hospice model, Gleeson drew parallels between the compassionate care provided there and broader lessons for society. “When you see the results of people who are good-humoured and kind, that’s the way we should be heading,” he said. He contrasted this with the divisiveness often seen in social and political contexts and expressed admiration for the hospice’s commitment to continually improving privacy and care standards.

Gleeson also spoke candidly about the need to confront the reality of death, a subject he described as often denied or avoided. He praised hospices for their role in alleviating not only physical suffering but also the fear associated with end-of-life care. “It feels like hospices are unafraid,” he said. “It’s only when you have personal experience that you can fully appreciate it.”

Donations to support the build can be made online or through the hospice’s fundraising department.