I guess the way to keep a grip on reality is just to take breaks in between albums like most normal bands do. Go home and be a person and hang out with your friends. Do separate things and get back to earth and write songs and go out there again.

I got to a point where I referred to myself as Dolores of the Cranberries instead of myself because I alienated my real self from what I became so much.

It's pretty weird when you are just touring all the time and you don't have a normal life. You're out of touch with reality too much.

I love performing, and I love the idea of people buying records. I don't particularly like the idea of people knowing me or thinking they do, but that's a part of what I choose. I choose not to go to college; I choose to be a singer.

One day we were in Limerick... and then, a few weeks later, we were being flown around to play. When we started, it was just a hobby. It wasn't any big ambition.

The things a young woman goes through between the ages of 18 and 20 are far different than what a young woman can go through between 20 and 22.

You want to be in control of a lot. You grow up. You sink or swim. I suppose I swam.

For me, you can't be a big fat pig up there, slovenly and singing croaky and whatnot. You have to work.

It's a great gig, really: getting on stage, playing the guitar, singing. For a living, it's super.

I went very close to the edge, but it's nice to have been strong enough to get through it. I'm lucky I had family, a good husband, and my mom. People like that help balance you. When you're feeling down and bad, it's the people that love you who kind of sort your head out for you.

I guess all bands get to that point where they run out of inspiration and just get bored with the chemistry.

As you get older, it's good to open up and acknowledge that everybody has their scary moments, their negative moments. And in order to move on and find comfort and hope, you have to stop running from the darkness and face it. And when you face it, it's not that scary at all, and sometimes it actually turns around and runs away.

The writing became a hobby in the background: it took a back seat to parenthood and being a person and being a human being.

To me, life is a bit of everything. I have the band, I have my kids. Life is a big picture. It's not just your career.

I keep my children safe and protected from all my baggage. They get to have a normal childhood, and they're not affected by my life.

I was at that point where my children needed more than going around the planet in the back of a bus. They needed stability, they needed to build their own lives and relationships, and I needed to put my life on hold. I made my choice - I chose my children.

Luckily I don't have a sinful past, because there's nothing you can hide from your kids now.

It's amazing to see anyone come out, let alone tell you they have been waiting so long. They are loyal people, our fans.

We were never a frivolous band; we prided ourselves on having something to say, and I think that's what gives your songs longevity.

The first album didn't become successful until the second was practically written.

When you're on tour too much or on stage too much, you feel like you have to deliver and get this super-hyped vibe going.

You get older and come to the conclusion that it's a great gig making music. Even if you turn into an old gnarly fart, no one cares what you look like if you write good songs - the only gig is to sing well and perform.

I remember when MTV first put 'Linger' in heavy rotation, every time I walked into a diner or a hotel lobby, it was like, 'Jesus, man, here I am again.'

I write about what is getting to me at the time, about the things you need to talk about, but which would sound silly if you sat down and told them to your friend. I only write for myself, to get my emotions out. It's self-therapeutic.