Brexit sparks new interests in Flatley’s Fermoy home

BREXIT has sparked a revived interest in Castlehyde House, the Fermoy home of Riverdance star, Michael Flatley, according to Rena O’Kelley, the agent in charge of the sale.

Ms O’Kelly has said that several prospective buyers have viewed the palatial home on the Blackwater since Britain’s historic EU vote last June and that there has been much foreign interest.

“It is a restricted end of the market anyway and there has been uncertainty in the market for the last 18 months or so,” said Ms O’Kelly.

“But I think, post Brexit, there is more certainty and we have seen that as interest in the property continues.”

The magnificent house, which is steeped in history, including being the ancestral home of Ireland’s first president, Douglas Hyde, was purchased by Flatley in 1999 for £3m.

The house was then nearly in ruins and Flatley underwent a €50m restoration project to transform it into one of Ireland’s most opulent homes, which includes 12 bedrooms, a 20 seat cinema, tennis court, dance rehearsal room, a three storey library, two climate controlled wine cellars, a bar and an entrance hall capable of doubling as a reception area that can cater to 300 guests.

Along with this, Flatley also has exclusive fishing rights on the Blackwater’s salmon fishery.

The home, which sits on 150 acres, has been put on sale for €20m after the house was robbed in January 2014 while Flatley was in the house.