Working with an absolutely fantastic team here, we’ve developed Activating Social Empathy, which is a programme for secondary schools. We also have a community version, which we have developed in collaboration with Foróige, who work with a lot of disadvantaged youth and other young people. Ionbhá, The Empathy Book for Ireland, is published by Mercier Press and edited by Cillian Murphy, Pat Dolan, Gillian Browne and Mark Brennan On empathy... Eamonn O’Shea, economist and former Tipperary hurling manager and coach

The way civic society is going — not just in this country, but globally — we’re going to be dependent on empathy. Take climate challenge or social justice of any shape or form... it’s vital — Prof Pat Dolan By understanding, feeling and identifying my emotions I then began to calmly and safely identify the emotions of others. I’d do it mindfully. The wrinkle of a smile. The raise of an eyebrow in surprise. The furrow of disappointment. The forced teethy smile that masks discomfort. I didn’t view other people through the threatening lens of fear that a state of anxiety demands.” Charlotte Silke and Bernadine Brady, academics at University of Galway’s Unesco Child and Family Centre The Brazilian Social Mobilization for Education Plan - Factors Affecting Leadership Engagement in The Communities of the Estreito Hydroelectric Region Ionbhá or empathy is a core element of wisdom and a universal language of the soul. It brings joy to the everyday, making the unbearable bearable. "We need empathy in schools just as we need empathy in the world right now" - Cillian Murphy, Actor and Patron of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre.

The notion that empathy can be learnt or unlearnt is an important one. When we are overwhelmed by emotions, and when we don't see the empathy we need in those around us, we put a distance between us and those emotions, and with that we unlearn ourselves and with that our empathy. Our world is changing very fast and this is not just an opportune time to catch up in terms of the provision of better ‘person centred’ education, but a defining chance for Ireland to be one of the forerunners in compassion development- It’s up to us all really. Let’s give empathy for Christmas and all year long! Is foinse dúshlán intleachtúil leanúnach é a spreagann muid agus a spreagann ár bhforbairt phearsanta.

All of which leads to the inevitable question: just how empathetic is macho cold-blooded killer Tommy Shelby? “Well, here’s what I’ll say to you,” he starts – he has clearly thought about it before. He points out that Tommy is, when we first meet him, deeply traumatised after fighting in the first world war. “He’s seen men blown apart in front of him – he’s lost belief in authority, in faith, and he’s arrived at this position. I think that what we tried to do over the course of the series is to defrost him. And interestingly, a lot of that comes from his kids.” That said, he sighs. “Listen: he’s a fictional character.”Ionbhá or empathy is a core element of wisdom and a universal language of the soul. It brings joy to the everyday, making the unbearable bearable. 'We need empathy in schools just as we need empathy in the world right now' - Cillian Murphy, Actor and Patron of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre. Ionbhá or empathy is a core element of wisdom and a universal language of the soul. It brings joy to the everyday, making the unbearable bearable. “We need empathy in schools just as we need empathy in the world right now” - Cillian Murphy, Actor and Patron of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre.

Some sceptics might also point to the campaign around empathy education as being earnest and naive, along the lines of John Lennon’s well-intentioned but wide-eyed campaign to give peace a chance. Murphy, who agreed to become patron for the centre, says he was initially unsure how to define empathy, or how to locate it in a practical way in his life. Slowly, he says, he began to realise that empathy was a fundamental part of his job as an actor — and as a dad. Pat Dolan, who has been researching this area for years, says there is a compelling case to introduce empathy education in schools, and across wider society, based on the positive findings of a growing body of research.In schools these days there is no shortage of initiatives on wellbeing and resilience. These topics form a central part of the junior cycle in second-level schools. So is there really a need — or even space — in a crowded curriculum for empathy education? Working between the US and UK, he says he has seen first-hand how polarising political debate has become. “It does feel to me that England is in a little bit of a crisis of self-identity. I think everyone would recognise that. And I was in America recently. You can see the polarisation there and how f**king dangerous the situation seems... Murphy is an elegant, eloquent talker, his voice as deep and sturdy as his cheekbones are lofty. He admits that his day job – done well – is a good training in empathy. “Listening is key to all acting. At the beginning, you’re so petrified that you just learn your lines, and then it’s rhubarb-rhubarb-rhubarb – my line!” But with experience you learn to listen and engage with your fellow actors. “I’m not saying I’m the most empathetic person in the whole wide world,” he adds wryly. “Of course, I spend a lot of time thinking about myself and worrying about myself.” Would your wife say you’re a good empath? “I mean, definitely not. But at least, you know, I’m trying.”