A new setting for dancer Flatley

Michael Flatley arrived by helicopter at his 17th-century north Cork mansion yesterday to meet local planners who he says have…

Michael Flatley arrived by helicopter at his 17th-century north Cork mansion yesterday to meet local planners who he says have refused permission for some of the alterations he has made to the grounds and interior of the historic property.

Mr Flatley has spent the last two years turning the once derelict Castlehyde House near Fermoy into his Irish stately home.

The €30 million refurbishment of the house, which sits on 250 acres on the banks of the river Blackwater, is under the guidance of Mr David Higgins, of Cornerstone Construction.

Mr Flatley touched down aboard a Bell 222 helicopter with an American television crew and the Hollywood actor George Hamilton in tow.

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The council refused permission for the retention of a gym and two decorative ponds which the dancer has built at the house.

The former Riverdance lead said he was looking forward to a "favourable response" from county council officials.

"I think all the problems so far were nothing more than a misunderstanding, and now everyone can see what we are trying to do," he said.

"I think we can get past these things. I am a reasonable man and people in Cork are reasonable, and I am anticipating a good result.

"People need to realise that we are bringing the house back to her former glory," he said.

Mr Flatley then led a number of journalists on a guided tour of his house.

The hallway greets the visitor with its ornate ceiling surrounded by intricate gold leaf work.

With his designer, Mr Peter Inston, of Inston Design International, Mr Flatley also showed off his library and a first edition of Joyce's Ulysses.

The copy is only one of many owned by the former dancer, one of which is signed and another illustrated by the French Impressionist Henri Matisse.

Mr Flatley then showed the work done on his music room and Irish whiskey bar.

The dancer also owns homes in London and Nice and several properties in the US including a casino in Las Vegas.

However, for all his intentions to make the day the perfect publicity event, there were inevitably questions about his private life.

Where was Lisa Murphy, his long-term partner? Mr Flatley swallowed a little and said that he didn't have "time for a girlfriend".

When pushed further, he said: "Lisa and I have been separated for a number of months now. I will always love Lisa, and she will always be a piece of me."