Michelle Monaghan practices and preaches in ‘Machine Gun Preacher’ - VIDEO

“Let’s get real, these two have gone to hell and back. She’s had a lot of sleepless nights long before he was doing God’s work,” she said.

“His history has taught her that things could be much worse than seeing him working for justice over in Sudan. The fact that these people are flawed, that they’re not perfect, I found that inspirational.”

Irish American audiences will be familiar with Monaghan for her outstanding performance as Angie Gennaro in Dennis Lehane’s Gone Baby Gone. But what they might not know is that her family hails from the town of Monaghan in Co. Monaghan (it’s her last name too, she need never get lost there).

“My parents have been and I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t yet. They’ve spent time over there and absolutely loved it,” Monaghan confesses.

“I’m proud to be Irish and I’m proud we kept the ‘G’ in our surname. I know quite a few Monaghans that got off the boat and dropped it right away. My family didn’t.”

Would she play an Irish role? “Would I? Please! To be given that kind of opportunity and acting challenge – I would probably cower in the corner a little bit and then I would come out swinging. I would love that opportunity.”

'Machine Gun Preacher' opens on Friday.

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Nster.com