Latest news with #Castlehyde
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Michael Flatley revealed as surprise contender to challenge Connor McGregor for Irish presidency after Lord of the Dance's political ambitions were inadvertently disclosed in High Court planning battle
Iconic Riverdance star Michael Flatley could challenge MMA champion Conor McGregor in a bid to become the next president of Ireland. The Lord of Dance's political ambitions were revealed during a High Court planning battle concerning his Castlehyde mansion in Cork. Flatley, 67, who held the Guinness World Record for tap dancing 35 times per second, notified the court of a 'material change in circumstances'. In doing so, he gave away his plan to move back to Ireland to run in the October 2025 presidential elections. An affidavit, signed by Flatley's solicitor Maxwell Mooney, was submitted to the court stating that the Irish-American is 'to seek nominations to run for president of Ireland'. But he's not the only celebrity running for president. In March, days after a controversial trip to the White House Conor McGregor, 37, announced his bid to become Ireland's President. The MMA fighter, who was found to have raped a woman in a civil case in November, announced his plans with an Instagram post which shows him standing in front of a private jet and wearing a Make Ireland Great Again cap. Riverdance star Michael Flatley (pictured) is to seek a nomination to become Ireland's next president It came after he spoke of an 'illegal immigration racket ravaging our country' at the White House. Meanwhile, last week on a radio interview, Flatley said he did not believe the Irish people 'have a voice, not a true proper deep voice that speaks their language.' But the face off may not happen as it is unclear if Flatley will have sufficient support and if McGregor will clear the threshold necessary to qualify for the race. Candidates need to be nominated by at least 20 members of the Irish parliament or at least four local authorities. They must also be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. The role of president is mainly ceremonial but carries symbolic weight. The next election has to happen 60 days before the current President Michael D Higgins's term ends on November 11. So far, two candidates have secured sufficient backing to enter the race. McGregor announced the plans in an Instagram post where he is stood ahead of a private jet and wearing a Make Ireland Great Again cap Former farming journalist and EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness, who is the Fine Gael nominee. And Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent and former Galway mayor who has received the backing of opposition parties and independents. At the High Court on Friday, defence barristers in Flatley's case argued against the affidavit being accepted by the court, and stated that it was an attempt by Flatley to 'move the goalposts'. Andrew Fitzpatrick SC said Flatley had said before in 2024 that he intended to move to Paris and then Valencia. 'That didn't happen,' he told the court. He also said that if the court was prepared to admit the affidavit, it would undermine previous assertions made by Flatley's side that the reason he is living in Monaco and cannot return to the state is because of the condition of the Castlehyde. Ms Justice Eileen Roberts said that as Flatley's residence 'is so central to the issue of security of costs' in the case, she would allow the affidavit to be taken into account, but said she 'entirely' heard submissions made by the defence about the characteristics of the affidavit and what weight it should be afforded. She said she expected the judgment in relation to the costs application to be delivered in a 'reasonably short period', and that it would be given 'shortly after' the end of the courts term.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Riverdance star Michael Flatley to make bid for Irish presidency, court hears
Riverdance star Michael Flatley is hoping to become Ireland's next president, a court has heard. The revelation came out in a legal case over work done on his mansion in County Cork, the Castlehyde. Barrister Ronnie Hudson said there had been a "material change in circumstances" for Flatley and he's set to move back to Ireland in the next two weeks in the hope of running in autumn's election. A legal statement signed by the star's solicitor, Maxwell Mooney, was also submitted to the High Court stating Flatley would "seek nominations to run for president of Ireland". Flatley rose to fame when Riverdance, which features traditional Irish music and dance, became a phenomenon in the 1990s and went on to tour the world. It continues to be performed today. The choreographer and dancer also created and starred in Lord Of The Dance. The 67-year-old - who currently lives in Monaco - strongly hinted at a presidential bid last week, but said he hadn't made a final decision. He told a radio interview he didn't think the Irish people had a "true proper deep voice that speaks their language". Flatley said the "average person on the street" is unhappy with the status quo and "somebody has to speak for the Irish people". Read more from Sky News: The role of president in is largely ceremonial and is currently held by Michael D Higgins, whose term ends on 11 November. The election is expected to take place at the end of October. A candidate needs nominations from at least 20 members of the Irish parliament or at least four local authorities. Those who've already met the criteria are former farming journalist and EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness, and former Galway mayor Catherine Connolly. Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor is among others who have also - although the prospect was universally rejected by other politicians in Ireland.
Sky News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Riverdance star Michael Flatley to make bid for Irish presidency, court hears
Riverdance star Michael Flatley is hoping to become Ireland's next president, a court has heard. The revelation came out in a legal case over work done on his mansion in County Cork, the Castlehyde. Barrister Ronnie Hudson said there had been a "material change in circumstances" for Flatley and he's set to move back to Ireland in the next two weeks in the hope of running in autumn's election. A legal statement signed by the star's solicitor, Maxwell Mooney, was also submitted to the High Court stating Flatley would "seek nominations to run for president of Ireland". Flatley rose to fame when Riverdance, which features traditional Irish music and dance, became a phenomenon in the 1990s and went on to tour the world. It continues to be performed today. The choreographer and dancer also created and starred in Lord Of The Dance. The 67-year-old - who currently lives in Monaco - strongly hinted at a presidential bid last week, but said he hadn't made a final decision. He told a radio interview he didn't think the Irish people had a "true proper deep voice that speaks their language". Flatley said the "average person on the street" is unhappy with the status quo and "somebody has to speak for the Irish people". The role of president in Ireland is largely ceremonial and is currently held by Michael D Higgins, whose term ends on 11 November. The election is expected to take place at the end of October. A candidate needs nominations from at least 20 members of the Irish parliament or at least four local authorities. Those who've already met the criteria are former farming journalist and EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness, and former Galway mayor Catherine Connolly. Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor is among others who have also hinted they might run - although the prospect was universally rejected by other politicians in Ireland.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michael Flatley to make bid for Irish presidency, court told
Riverdance star Michael Flatley is to seek a nomination to become Ireland's next president, a court has heard. The choreographer's barrister made the announcement during a High Court case he has taken in relation to works carried out at his mansion in Co Cork, the Castlehyde. Barrister Ronnie Hudson notified the court of a 'material change in circumstances' for Flatley, and said he is to move back to Ireland within the next 14 days and look to run in the presidential election this autumn. An affidavit, signed by Flatley's solicitor Maxwell Mooney, was submitted to the court stating that the Irish-American is 'to seek nominations to run for president of Ireland'. Lord Of The Dance star Flatley, who is eligible to run as an Irish citizen, had strongly hinted at a presidential bid last week, but said he had not made a final decision. He said during a radio interview that he did not believe the Irish people 'have a voice – not a true proper deep voice that speaks their language'. Flatley said he hears concerns from the 'average person on the street' and they are not 'happy right now'. 'Somebody has to speak for the Irish people,' he said. He was in Ireland earlier this month where he performed on a flute at a July 4 celebration hosted at the residence of the US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh, who was recently appointed to the role by Donald Trump. An election for the largely ceremonial role is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before outgoing President Michael D Higgins's term ends on November 11. To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Irish parliament or at least four local authorities. So far, two candidates have secured sufficient backing to enter the race: former farming journalist and EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness, who is the Fine Gael nominee; and Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent and former Galway mayor who has received the backing of opposition parties and independents. Several other figures have hinted at their intention to run, including MMA fighter Conor McGregor, who has criticised the Irish Government's policies on immigration and public safety. At the High Court on Friday, defence barristers in Flatley's case argued against the affidavit being accepted by the court, and stated that it was an attempt by Flatley to 'move the goalposts'. Andrew Fitzpatrick SC said Flatley had said before in 2024 that he intended to move to Paris and then Valencia. 'That didn't happen,' he told the court. He also said that if the court was prepared to admit the affidavit, it would undermine previous assertions made by Flatley's side that the reason he is living in Monaco and cannot return to the state is because of the condition of the Castlehyde. Ms Justice Eileen Roberts said that as Flatley's residence 'is so central to the issue of security of costs' in the case, she would allow the affidavit to be taken into account, but said she 'entirely' heard submissions made by the defence about the characteristics of the affidavit and what weight it should be afforded. She said she expected the judgment in relation to the costs application to be delivered in a 'reasonably short period', and that it would be given 'shortly after' the end of the courts term.
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Michael Flatley being portrayed as a villain rather than a victim, court told
Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley is being portrayed in proceedings before the Commercial Court as 'a villain' rather than 'a victim of circumstances', his counsel has told a judge. It was the second day of two applications before the court where a building contractor and insurance companies involved in carrying out works at Flatley's Castlehyde mansion in Co Cork are seeking to have the star put up €2.8 million security for costs before his action against them begins. Mr Flatley's counsel Ronnie Hudson BL, instructed by Maxwell Mooney solicitor, on Wednesday referred to what he called the characterisation of the entertainer by the other side in court. 'He is being portrayed as a villain rather than a victim, a victim of circumstances,' Mr Hudson said. READ MORE The statement was made as the Flatley side sought to introduce a chartered accountant's valuation of the Flatley whiskey business which the court had previously heard was worth in the region of €10 million. Andrew Fitzpatrick SC for the underwriting and insurance defendants objected to the new information being put before the court and he said it was 'a naked attempt to upend this application'. And he said there was no evidence why the valuation was not available when documents were being exchanged in advance of the security for costs hearing. Counsel for building contractor Austin Newport, Stephen Dowling SC, said allowing the new document in at this stage could open up a collateral hearing on the basis of the €10 million valuation. Ms Justice Eileen Roberts said it was not obvious to her why the information was not put before the court when there were ongoing directions in place in relation to the exchange of documents. [ Michael Flatley says request to put up €2.8m as security for costs is an attempt to embarrass him Opens in new window ] The judge said she did not want to completely derail the security for costs hearing and she refused to admit the document. Mr Hudson told the court that in the security for costs application, Michael Flatley was being faced with a bill for almost €3 million 'for defending himself'. He said Mr Flatley has never defaulted and is a 'man of means and a man of his word'. He said Mr Flatley 'in theory can return' to Castlehyde but he 'can't in practice because of the condition of the property'. 'Michael Flatley is a man of his word and has a considerable reputation in Ireland and the US,' Mr Hudson said. In an affidavit opened to the court at the start of the hearing on Tuesday, Mr Flatley said the Lord of the Dance show is continuing to sell out venues worldwide and has sold more than €1 billion-worth of tickets. Lord of the Dance, which he said had received 'a lifetime of standing ovations', has been valued 'at a conservative minimum of €200 million'. [ Michael Flatley: The deal that let the dancer keep his Castlehyde mansion Opens in new window ] Mr Flatley said his Statement of Affairs – which valued Lord of the Dance at €200 million, his whiskey business at €10 million and his Castlehyde mansion at €20 million – is accurate. He said he owns all of the rights and intellectual property for Lord of the Dance and that the true valuation could be double the €200 million figure. He said his liability is a €7.9 million mortgage on Castlehyde which will be repaid from his business activities over the next two years. In the affidavit which was sworn last month, Mr Flatley also said he 'intends to return to live in Ireland permanently as soon as possible'. In the main proceedings, the Riverdance performer claims he and his family had to vacate the Castlehyde period property in October 2023 after alleged toxic chemical residue was detected during routine maintenance. Mr Flatley is suing Austin Newport Group Ltd, the main contractor and insurance underwriters – MS Amlin Underwriting Ltd, AXA XL Underwriting Agencies LTD and Hamilton Managing Agency Limited along with Lloyds Insurance Company. All of the allegations are denied. Ms Justice Eileen Roberts will give her decision on security for costs at a later date.
