Name: Miriam Barror Address: Green Building, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 Dwelling: Two-bedroom apartment Here since: 2002
I live in the Green Building in Temple Bar. It's an eco-friendly building, the first of its kind in Ireland. It was built using recycled materials, so it didn't cost too much to the environment. It's a brilliantly designed building: you get a full tank of hot water if it's a sunny day. The water is heated by solar panels on the roof. My favourite feature is the glass roof over the atrium, which opens automatically when the temperature outside reaches a certain point. You know it's going to be a sunny day when you hear the roof opening.
I've definitely become more environmentally aware since I've been here - things like turning off appliances, and there's a recycling bin downstairs - but we could always do more in this country. Everyone wants to recycle things, but it's hard here; they don't make it easy.
There's a lack of green areas in the city, but I work in Merrion Square, and it's my favourite park in town. I also go across to Dublin Castle. It's like my back garden, and the Chester Beatty Library has a roof garden. It's perfect when you want to read a book or sit outside. It's never overly packed; most Dubliners don't seem to know it's there. It's like a secret garden, through the little gate.
The first thing that everybody asks me is: "Is it not really noisy living in Temple Bar?" The reality of Temple Bar is just like the cliche, with screeching hen parties every night. It is crazy, but, on the whole, in here it's not too bad. Our bedrooms are on the inside, overlooking the atrium. The odd Saturday night you'll get resonance in the building. I'm a really light sleeper, so I have a way of dealing with it. I wear earplugs, and I have a CD called White Noise, with the sound of rain. It really works.
We have a front door and a back door, on to Crow Street and Temple Lane South. The great thing about it is that it's a thoroughfare with constant traffic, so there's no sense of its being dark and isolated. Nobody's lingering, so you don't get too much trouble. I've seen only one fight in my four years here; that's pretty good going. I feel very safe here. You get streetwise as well. You can smell trouble when you live in the city centre.
It's quite inspiring, living here. The market at the weekend, with organic food, is wonderful. Sometimes I just walk around with a smile on my face, thinking what a wonderful city, especially when the sun is shining. It's such a luxury. I feel very privileged.
In conversation with Davin O'Dwyer