Inside the mansion Irish dance star Michael Flatley spent £23m renovating… now on sale for £11m
The vast 12-bed country pile, which was built for the first president of Ireland, was snapped up by the dancer for £3.5million in 1999 and boasts its own salmon fishing river and driving range
LORD Of The Dance star Michael Flatley is bidding farewell to the astonishing Irish mansion he’s owned for decades - after putting it on the market for £11million.
The dancer, 59, snapped up the vast home for £3.5million in 1999.
After spending around £23million on renovations he tried, but failed to sell it for £17.6million in 2015.
But he insists he’s not bothered about being out of pocket, telling The Wall Street Journal: “I don’t mind taking the cut because I spent 20 of the best years of my life in that house.”
Known as Castle Hyde,the 1801 estate is located on the River Blackwater, a popular salmon fishing river in rural County Cork.
The home sits in 150 acres with about 35,000 square feet of living space.
It has seven reception rooms, 12-bedroom suites, a 3,000-square-foot master bedroom and an indoor recreation complex with a swimming pool.
There’s also a billiards room decorated in an African safari theme, a home cinema with seating for 20, a whiskey room and two wine cellars.
The grounds include tennis courts, a driving range, a putting green, the ruins of a 12th-century Norman castle and miles of gardens and walking trails.
The River Dance star bought the property after first spotting it during a helicopter ride.
The home was built for Douglas Hyde - the first president of Ireland.
It required extensive renovations after falling into disrepair.
He claimed he once turned down an offer from pal Michael Jackson who wanted to buy it after staying there.
Flatley, whose dance shows are said to have grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is selling up because he is now based primarily in London, where his son attends school and where his business interests are mostly located.
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