Lord’s Castle Problem

By Irish America Staff
April / May 2004

Lord of the Dance King Michael Flatley has shut down all renovation work on Castlehyde, his multi-million dollar castle in Co. Cork because he’s fed up with combating Cork County Council.

Flatley bought the 19th century castle on the banks of the River Blackwater for four million euros five years ago, but his renovations have been dogged by controversy and extremely strict planning regulations because of the castle’s landmarked status.

The wealthy star has already spent a reported $30 million on the castle, and it was expected that he would marry his fiancée Lisa Murphy there this coming summer, but now some of the completed work may have to be redone because it is in breach of planning laws.

Cork County Council allowed Flatley to retain many of the changes he made to the castle when he applied for planning permission after the work was done. However, permission for additional features — a gymnasium and two decorative ponds — was refused. And now the entire project is under review by the planning board. If he loses the action Flatley could be forced to remove his extensive and multi-faceted renovations. ♦

Leave a Reply