Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley revealed he vetoed a deal to sell his multi-million Euro Castlehyde House estate in Fermoy because he simply couldn t bear the thought of losing such a deeply emotional link to Ireland.
The dancer has instead disposed of his UK properties - and both Ireland and France will now serve as his future bases.
The star was speaking to independent.ie as he launched a special Christmas charity appeal for the homeless. The house was for sale. The price was dropped and, in the end, I pulled it from the market. Then, out of nowhere, I got an offer and it was a better offer than I had ever hoped for.
I got the right offer, but I couldn t go through with the sale - Flatley herald.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from herald.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
“I think I am too emotionally attached to Castlehyde. I just cannot leave Cork – my wife and I just love it too much.
“We liquidated our properties in the UK so we are living in Monte Carlo and Cork. You never know what the future brings but we love coming home to Castlehyde.
“We are blessed with our neighbours and people in Fermoy and Cork have been wonderful to us over the years.”
Bought in a derelict condition in 2001 for €3m, Flatley ordered a loving refurbishment of Castlehyde aimed at restoring the ancestral home of Ireland’s first President Douglas Hyde to its full 18th-century glory.
I couldn t bring myself to sell my Cork mansion, I m too emotionally attached – Flatley independent.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from independent.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.