Michael flatley home
Curtain call on Michael Flatley’s Castlehyde home – The Irish Times
The ancestral home to Ireland’s first president, this €20m mansion is considered one of the finest structural restorations of a historic Irish home
Michael Flatley at Castlehyde in north Cork. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision
Michael Flatley’s decision to sell his north Cork home will not mark an end to the internationally renowned dancer’s connection with Ireland.
Speaking to The Irish Times at his Castlehyde home Flatley said he and his wife Niamh have “another project in the pipeline” but he declined to reveal its location. The couple own two other properties in Ireland but in latter years the couple have only managed to spend about two weeks of the year at their Georgian Palladian mansion while the rest of their time is divided between (similarly luxurious) homes in London, the Cote d’Azur, Chicago and Barbados.
Castlehyde is widely renowned as one of the finest structural restorations of a historic Irish home. The house, which dates from 1760, overlooks the Blackwater River near Fermoy and was bought by Flatley in 1999 for around €4 million after he spotted it from a helicopter en route to search for a property in west Cork. It was the beginning of a love affair for the dancer turned artist, who has since spent tens of millions of euro on the meticulous restoration and refurbishment of what was the ancestral home of Ireland's first president, Douglas Hyde.
Flatley told The Irish Times that deciding to sell Castlehyde – which is on the market for €20 million through Knight Frank and Goffs – was one of the most difficult decisions of his life. It is where he was married, and also the place where his late father Michael James – an expat Chicago builder originally from Sligo who died earlier this year – most loved to visit.
READ MORE
Flatley, an accomplished boxer, step dancer, choreographer, musician and, more recently, acclaimed artist, clearly brings the same intensity to home improvement that he applies to all his interests.
The restoration project took over four years as the house was on the verge of ruin when first purchased. Rather than raze it and rebuild it within the shell of the four walls, the 12-bedroom house was revived from the flooded foundations up, at an estimated cost of about €30 million. Every window was reconditioned and original stones were removed, numbered, cleaned and restored.
Michael Flatley gives Madeleine Lyons a guided tour through his Castlehyde home in north Cork, which he has put on the market for €20 million.
There are six main reception rooms, including two stunning round rooms and the entrance hall with two original fireplaces, gilded Corinthian columns and ceiling mouldings decorated in 24-carat gold. Original mahogany doors were restored and solid bronze doorknobs attached, while teams of artists worked for months painting murals on the ceilings and walls. In the “ladies’ powder room” a French print specialist applied a series of rare original prints directly to the walls.
An impeccably restored Portland stone cantilevered staircase rises through three storeys to a domed rooflight above, which Flatley recalls had rain pouring through it when they first visited.
The decor is arresting – from enormous stags’ heads from New Zealand on the walls of the clubbier rooms to gilded furnishings and elaborate crystal chandeliers in more formal receptions, and a corridor the length of an American football pitch that doubles as a museum of awards, trophies, momentos and photographs. The handcrafted woodwork throughout, both in the bar and in the two-storey library, is remarkable. Flatley is proud to say that most of the craftsmanship was sourced in Ireland. The more modern additions to the house include an indoor pool, cinema room, billiard room and wine cellar. Castlehyde has clearly been a passion for Flatley, and one that he finds hard to relinquish.
Douglas HydeMichael Flatley
Michael Flatley settles High Court claim over works at Cork mansion
Riverdance and Lord Of The Dance star Michael Flatley has settled a High Court action he brought over alleged deficiencies in works carried out at his opulent Castle Hyde mansion in Fermoy, Co Cork.
Mr Flatley's action arose after a fire seven years ago damaged the historic three-storey period Castle Hyde house, which dates back to 1790 and is a protected structure.
Mr Flatley, who has spent over €25 million renovating the mansion since he bought it in 1999, claimed the fire on the night of June 18th, 2015 started in an electrical panel located in a service compartment at the first-floor level in the property.
The blaze then spread vertically to levels above and below the electrical compartment and there was significant fire damage within the electrical compartments and smoke damage throughout the house, which required extensive repairs.
Advertisement
He claimed that parties he hired to carry out certain works including electrical works, were allegedly negligent and allegedly did not implement proper fire safety measures when working on the house.
He also claimed that the property's plumbing system was allegedly incorrectly designed, allegedly resulting in the property's basement flooding when the nearby River Blackwater rises.
As a result, he sued Mr Peter Inston, who he said is a London-based architect and interior designer and Sean R McCarthy a consultant engineer of The Orchard, Cork Road, Fermoy Co Cork.
He also sued and consultant engineering firm Malachy Walsh & Company Limited trading as Malachy Walsh & Partners of Mahon Technology Park, Blackrock, Cork.
They denied all of Mr Flatley's claims.
Settled
At the High Court on Friday Martin Canny Bl, instructed by of Gavan Carty of Kent Carty solicitors for Mr Flatley told Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger that the proceedings had settled and could be struck out.
No details of the settlement, which is understood to be confidential, were given to the court.
Mr Flatley claimed that the defendants, carried out various works on the house, on dates between 2001 and 2006.
Arising out of what he claimed was alleged negligence, breach of contract, and alleged misrepresentation Mr Flatley sought damages to cover various costs he incurred including the costs of repairs and remediation works to Castle Hyde.
Advertisement
Mr Flatley had claimed that Mr Inston had allegedly failed in his responsibility to identify deficiencies in the electrical cabinets, and fire stopping prior to issuing a certificate of practical completion, and generally in connection with his involvement in the construction works.
He alleged that Mr McCarthy, who carried out work at Castle Hyde in 2006 had allegedly failed to identify deficiencies in the fire stopping and fire rating of the electrical cabinets when completing snag lists after works had been done at Castle Hyde.
It is also alleged that he allegedly failed to instruct a building contractor to carry out certain necessary works or ensure that they were correctly and fully completed by the contractor.
He claimed that Malachy Walsh & Partners allegedly failed to identify the requirement to provide appropriate fire stopping for electrical services and failed to identify this deficiency in the course of the works, on in its snagging review.
Negligent
In his defence Mr McCarthy denied that he had been negligent and said that at all times he had acted within the terms of the agreement he had with the Lord of the Dance star, and within the terms of his own profession.
He also argued that Mr Flatley's claim against him was statute barred as it had not been brought within the legally permitted time to bring such an action.
In its defence Malachy Walsh & Partners also said the claim was statute barred and that there had been an alleged inordinate delay on Mr Flatley's part in bringing the claim.
It further denied that it was in breach of contract or that it had any obligation to carry out fire safety works in the manner alleged by Mr Flatley, with an address at Monte Carlo in Monaco.
The company added that it was not responsible for any of the damage sustained to the property as a result of the 2016 fire.
In his defence Mr Inston denied any wrongdoing and said that the allegations had nothing to do with him.
He said he could not understand why he was being sued personally by Mr Flatley.
He said that a company he had been involved with had done some interior design work for Mr Flatley.
He said neither he nor the company had any obligations to ensure that fire safety works had been properly carried out.
"Russians strive for the impossible" The most famous dancer on the planet about the end of the world, nightclubs and incredible Russians famous Irish dance company Lord of the Dance. Dangerous Games is a magical combination of ancient Celtic melodies, Irish tap dancing, synchronized corps de ballet and intricate acrobatic routines with the latest stage technology, colorful costumes and powerful special effects. The creator of Lord of the Dance and the most expensive dancer in the world Michael Flatley told Lenta.ru about the new show, the famous Irish character, the mysterious Russian soul, dancing on Red Square and the end of the world. nine0003
Boxing, flute and tap dancing
Apart from classical ballet, it is Michael Flatley who is now the most famous, influential and expensive dancer in the world.
In the Guinness Book of Records, he is mentioned three times at once: he holds an incredible tap dance speed record (35 beats per second!), he is the highest paid dancer in history, and his legs were insured for 57.6 million dollars.
Michael Flatley - Lord Of The Dance
Michael Flatley created what is now considered the national Irish dance around the world. His shows - Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger Live - have taken place in 60 countries and have attracted a total of more than 70 million viewers. nine0003
Mike was born in 1958 in Chicago to a large Irish family. His parents moved to the USA in 1947. He inherited his dancing talent from his mother's side: his grandmother was the champion of Ireland in tap dance, his mother is a professional dancer. And the father is an ordinary plumber who was very fond of music and insisted that his son learn to play the flute. At the age of ten, Michael began to study Irish folk dance and ... boxing.
And at 17 he became the champion of America in Irish tap dancing, the winner of the competition for the best Irish flute players in the USA and the champion of Chicago among amateur boxers. Several roads opened before the young man. A choice had to be made, and Michael Flatley chose the dance. nine0003
Irish character and Russian soul
Lenta.ru: Can the Lord of the Dance show be considered an Irish folk dance or is it more of a modern dance?
Michael Flatley: I created the dance that represents Lord of the Dance. It is based on traditional Irish dance, but I have modified it, modernized it and adapted it for the modern stage. When I was very young, I taught myself to dance and came up with my own moves along the way. I did not experience any influence from other dancers then. I wanted the Irish dance to use not only the legs, but also the body and hands, so that it would be faster, so that some kind of action would take place in it, the speed would change.
And as a result, yes, it is an Irish dance, but it is also much, much more. nine0003
Michael Flatley
Do people in Ireland now dance as part of their daily routine?
Yes. Dance is a significant part of Ireland's national culture, and since I transformed it in this way, it has become even more popular, especially among young people. Now the dance has a huge number of fans, and I'm very proud of it. Everyone dances in Ireland because it's in our blood.
People often talk about the famous Irish character. Irish character - what is it? nine0003
The Irish are full of life, joy, pain, sorrow, thirst for struggle... Full of all these wonderful things that create the unique Irish character.
And how does this manifest itself in the national dance?
When I first saw how the Irish dance in their homeland - absolutely impassive, with a straight back, hands pressed to their sides - I could not understand it. Because in the rest of the world the Irish dance in a different way: with passion, having fun, joking, laughing, playing, singing, telling each other stories.
.. And in Ireland, absolute asceticism: pressed hands, a stony expression on their faces... I wanted to change everything. Why should we dance without emotion, with our hands clasped? We won't do that! And I changed it. I think what happened as a result is much more in line with the national Irish character and national dance. nine0003
Lord of the Dance show
Photo: @michaelflatleyofficial
What do you think about Russian folk dance? After all, you have repeatedly visited our country and are probably familiar with the Russian dance tradition. To what extent, in your opinion, does Russian dance express our national character?
I was very, very impressed by the performance of the Moiseev Russian Folk Dance Ensemble. Of course you know them. They are great! I got to know the men and women of this ensemble and their passion for dancing was incredible. And another time I saw a ballet in which Baryshnikov danced, and it was something not from our world at all. The Russian soul has a passion for perfection.
Russians strive for the impossible, strive to do what no one else can do. Something that is beyond. I saw how long Baryshnikov could stay in the air. He flew, he hovered in the air thanks to the incredible power of his legs. It takes crazy talent and years, years of training from a fantastic mentor who could teach him how to stay in the air for so long to get to that level. For me, this is the Russian character. nine0003
Michael Flatley
Photo courtesy of Lord of the Dance
Dancing in 3D
Can dance help with any personal psychological problems? In other words, is dance therapy possible?
I think everything is possible. For example, when I dance, I get rid of problems, I relax internally and feel happy. Dance brings me a sense of harmony and balance. You could call it dance therapy. The same thing happens when I play music. nine0003
Are you a professional dancer and do you sometimes go to a nightclub or disco to dance?
No. Never.
Why?
I'm not interested.
I'm not the kind of guy who goes to nightclubs. Sometimes on tour I can go to a nightclub with my dancers. They can go dancing if they want, they are not forbidden. And I'd rather sit with my martini at this time. I dance, or rather danced, I'm only on stage.
Show Lord of the Dance
Photo courtesy of Lord of the Dance
You have been dancing for over forty years. How has dance changed over this time?
Very strong. But he had to change. The dance pushed the boundaries, but did not break them. Irish dance is a discipline, in that respect it is not particularly different from ballet. He has his own school, there is a certain set of characteristics and there are limitations that cannot be ignored. I'm following this myself. The main choreography of the dance remains the same, and the development of the show comes from the direction, the story we present, rock and roll light, sound, pyrotechnics, holography, great costumes, and finally, the audience. nine0003
Can you compare Riverdance and Dangerous Games? 25 years have passed between these shows.
They are similar in many ways because I created both of these shows. They have a lot in common. Riverdance was very good for its time, for 1994. But the world has come a long way since then, and Dangerous Games is up to par. This is a show on a whole other level. I haven't seen Riverdance for a long time and I don't know what they are doing now and how they are received by the public. As for Lord of the Dance and our new Dangerous Games program, it's going very well all over the world. nine0003
How has the new digital technology affected the show?
Very much influenced. For example, in our new program we use my hologram. I no longer go on stage, but my hologram dances instead of me. Then they become two, three. Three of my holograms. This fragment of the show is especially popular with viewers. 20 years ago it was impossible. And ten years ago it was impossible. Even five years ago. A great gift that new technologies have given us. But it doesn't come cheap either.
nine0003
I recently made a report about the show Sleeping Beauty Dreams, in which our leading ballerina Diana Vishneva is engaged. This is a high-tech show using special costumes with sensors that transmit the dancer's movements to a computer, a special program processes them and then projects them onto a 3D screen in the form of various avatars. "Dreams of the Sleeping Beauty" was successfully shown at several venues in Russia, including the Crocus City Hall, where Lord of the Dance will perform, and now they have begun a US tour. Do you know something about it? nine0003
Yes, I have heard about this show and would love to see it live. Did you like it?
Michael Flatley - Lord Of The Dance
Yes. Everyone knows that Sleeping Beauty slept for a hundred years, but no one thought about what kind of dreams she had all this time. The show gives you the opportunity to see these dreams with your own eyes. A ballerina dances on the stage, and avatars of her passions, feelings and nightmares dance with her on a 3D screen.
And all this with modern electronic music.
Sounds great. I wish them success. If I get a chance, I'll definitely go to see it. nine0003
Dangerous Games and a night on Red Square
Tell us about Dangerous Games. What is this project?
Dangerous Games is a big, bright, colorful dance show. The storyline contains a fair share of love and a fair share of evil. Our hero must go through difficult trials before he wins. Quite a life story. We've all had to deal with this. But everything will end well. The public likes it. Everyone sits until the end, no one leaves. I am especially pleased with this. nine0003
You are the creator and director of Dangerous Games, but you don't dance anymore, your three holograms dance instead of you in the show. Are you coming to Moscow?
Most likely. I really want to come and see the show in Moscow. I love your capital very much. Once we performed at the Kremlin Palace and lived at the Baltschug Kempinski Hotel. I remember one night, after an excellent dinner with a bottle of good wine, I went for a walk on Red Square.
It was one in the morning, very cold and almost no one. I took off my coat and started dancing. Few people looked at me like I was crazy. And I flew back and forth across the square, and my heart jumped out of my chest. It was a wonderful feeling to dance at night in Moscow on Red Square, in Russia, where the most famous dancers in the world came from. This is my pride, and I will not forget it until the day I die. nine0003
Lord of the Dance show
Photo courtesy of Lord of the Dance
What are you doing now?
I continue to work hard: I prepare new performances, create dance numbers for them, I just finished my first feature film "Blackbird" (Blackbird). This is a spy thriller starring Eric Roberts and Patrick Bergin. I am simultaneously working on a book and a documentary film about my life. Participating in TV shows, looking for new dancers for the troupe ... A lot of things. nine0003
A lot, but you don't dance anymore? At all?
No, I don't go on stage anymore.
My body is beaten and broken. But I'm even glad about it, now I have time to do something else. Do what I have long wanted to do. Thanks to injuries, I now have such an opportunity, and I'm not going to miss it.
Michael Flatley - Lord Of The Dance
Doors open...
My last traditional question is: do you believe in God, in heaven, hell and life after death? nine0003
A very difficult question. But I like him. I was born into a Catholic family. I am Catholic. At home we talked a lot about God, heaven, hell and life after death. I believe that there is definitely something beyond life, but I do not think that a person is able to comprehend the essence of God, to understand who or what God is. This is too big a question for our little brains. But I am quite sure, one hundred percent, that death is not the end. When the ancient Celts died, their funerals were not sad. On the contrary, the funeral of the Celts was like a holiday, because they knew that they open the door to another world.
And I'm going to go through that door. nine0003
Michael Flatley biography, age, wife, son, height, riverdance and value
Famous People In The Usa
Michael Flatley, biography and wiki
Michael Flatley is an Irish-born former choreographer, dancer and musician known for his Irish dance shows, Feet of Flames, Riverdance, Celtic Tiger Live and Lord of the Dance. He also holds the Guinness World Record for tap dancing 35. He retired in 2016 due to constant pain in his spine, knees, feet and ribs. nine0126
Michael Flatley Age and birthday
Michael was born Michael Ryan Flatley on July 16, 1958 in Detroit, Michigan, United States of America. He celebrates his birthday on July 16 every year. As of 2020, he is 62 years old.
Michael Flatley Height and weight
Michael is a man of average height, he looks rather tall in the photos. He is 5'9″ (1.75m) tall. It also weighs 143 pounds (65 kg).
Michael Flatley Education
Flatley attended Brother Rice High School, an all-boys Catholic private school in southwest Chicago.
Michael Flatley Image ofMichael Flatley's Parents
Flatley is the son of Michael Sr. and his wife, Elizabeth Eilish Ryan. His parents were both born in Ireland but immigrated to the United States in 1947. His father was a plumber.
does Gavin Degro have a girlfriend?
Michael Flatley Siblings
Michael is the second of five children. He has three sisters, Anne-Marie, Eliza and Thomasina, and a brother, Patrick. nine0003
Michael Flatley wife
Michael married his wife Niamh O'Brien on 14 October 2006 in a Roman Catholic ceremony in Fermoy, County Cork. The couple are the proud parents of their son Michael St.
James, born in 2007.
Michael Flatley Net Worth
Michael is an Irish American choreographer and dancer with a net worth of $350 million.
Michael Flatley Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Michael. nine0178
Michael Flatley's birthday
- Age / how old? : 62 years old (2020)
- Zodiac sign : cancer
- Date of birth : July 16, 1958
- Birthday 25 Jul Julia Jul Jul Body measurements
- Body measurements : Out of stock
- Height / How tall? nine0126: 5'9 ″ (1.75 m)
- Mass : 143 pounds (65 kg)
- Eye color : brown
- Flower : Blonde
Michael Fleet Michael
- Father (dad) : Michael Sr.
Flatley - Mother0126 : To be updated
- Cars : Car brand to be updated
Michael Flatley Riverdance
After attracting the attention of Irish leader Mary Robinson and the show's producers, Flatley was invited to take part in creating the interlude for the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. Flatley, Chieftains co-choreographer and individual artist Gene Butler, and vocalist Anuna acted out a 7-minute show to showcase the scope, which was held in Ireland. Receiving universal praise, Flatley insisted on turning the show into a full-length creation, which became Riverdance. The show was created by Moya Doherty, the head movement was by Flatley, and the show hosts were Flatley and Butler. nine0003
In September 1995, with the show sold out, Flatley left Riverdance in search of who could eventually become Lord of the Dance. Flatley argued with manufacturers over his labor costs and sovereignty. He was fired the night before the London show opened and replaced by Colin Dunn.
Similarly, he didn't do well with Butler, who later said that even though he was "very charming", she was not attracted to him and this put him off. Of the split, Flatley stated, "I just needed authority over the work I did myself. Nothing else. I don't think there's much to ask. I was inclined to fabricate it and they took it and that's its finish and it hurts." nine0003
Michael Flatley Lord of the Dance
After the split of Riverdance, Flatley decided to have his own Lord of the Dance show, which was equipped to play in fields and arenas outside of the regular theaters. It debuted in June 1996 at the Point Theater (now the 3Arena) in Dublin before making its UK debut at the London Coliseum. The music for the show was composed by Ronan Hardiman. Flatley earned £36 million in 1997, making him the 25th most successful entertainment buyer in the world. nine0003
Loading... Loading...
In 1998, Flatley made an extended version of the show called Feet of Flames, which was his occasional exhibition and his last performance in Lord of the Dance.
It was performed outside the Rotten Row area of Hyde Park, London on a huge 4-level water stage with live music, and over 100 artists performed on each of the phase's four stages during the final. Ronan Hardiman's music from the first Lord of the Dance was again used alongside new organizations, including by Hardiman himself. The show allocated six new numbers; One of them is Flatley's performance. nine0003
kc fast and loud net worth
After the conclusion of the Hyde Park show in 1998, Flatley created another adaptation of Stop the Flame in 1999, which included part of the first show and half of the new material. The show, titled Feet of Flames: The Victory World Tour, ran solo and toured Europe in 2000 and the US in 2001.
Frequently asked questions about Michael Flatley
Who is Michael Flatley?
Michael is an Irish-born former choreographer, dancer and musician known for his Irish dance shows, Feet of Flames, Lord of the Dance, Riverdance and Celtic Tigers.
