The great thing about Shankill is it's between the hills and the sea and the friendliness of the neighbours is great. We bought out first house here 16 years ago in Eaton Wood - couldn't afford Dun Laoghaire, where I grew up. So many new houses were built at the same time, so it was all young couples. Our road was full of babies who all grew up together. Later, we moved around the corner to Shrewsbury Road and it was the same thing. The kids as two and three-year-olds used to go wheeling down the hill in homemade carts.

We have the beach and the hills and magnificent views over Dublin Bay from the old lead mines near Pucks Castle. Our children Paul and Amy go to St Anne's national school. It's a very strong community school. They put on a parish pantomime every year.

This year's show is Babes in the Wood, which is supposed to have been written by a Shankill man. The cast is a mix of kids, parents and old folks and our daughter Amy is a dancing star in it this year. She goes horseriding too, at the back of the village. Paul plays for Valeview soccer club and Cuala GAA club, which I was chairman of for a while.

Another thing about Shankill that is not commonplace are the churches. The Protestant churches at Crinken and Rathmichael held fundraisers for the Catholic church's new hall. And down the pub it's amazing. A population like this usually has several pubs. You'd know everybody in Brady's and I get a lot of stick about Man United. Shankill has still kept the "village" thing. There's only one butcher and Ron knows and introduces everyone.

My wife is a Donegal woman and adores the place. After our first house, I suggested moving back towards Dun Laoghaire. She held a vote and I was three-nil down. Staying here was the best thing we've ever done.

We're living down the road in Rathmichael now; I wouldn't consider moving anywhere else. When I move out of Shankill, it will be in a box."