Castlehyde owner Michael Flatley was one of six ‘outstanding individuals’ to be awarded Honorary Doctorates at the University of Limerick for their contributions to Irish society.
Conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters, Mr Flatley is known worldwide as a dancer, choreographer and musician, famous for his Irish dance shows Riverdance, Warlords, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger.
Also honoured by the University were Josephine Feehily, Chairperson of the Police Authority; Ali Hewson, activist and humanitarian; Peter Malone, former Chairman of the National Roads Authority; Adi Roche, founder of the Chernobyl Children’s Project International; and John Cleland Watson Wylie, professor of law and primary draftsman of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009.
UL President, Professor Don Barry said; “Today is a very special event for us here at UL. It is the day when we get the opportunity to honour those who have inspired, who have led with courage and passion and who have made great contributions in their fields of endeavour. Today we bestowed upon these outstanding individuals the University of Limerick’s highest honour and invite them to take their place in the history of this institution.”
Meanwhile, Mr Flatley has again been named among the 50 wealthiest musicians in Britain and Ireland, with an estimated fortune of €251 million. He joins U2 and Enya as the Irish entries into the top 10, lead by Sir Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell with €965 million.
Mr Flatley and his wife Niamh put Castlehyde on the market last year, with a guide price of €20 million. It is understood that there are at least two parties interested in the 14-bed mansion outside of Fermoy.
