The stars next door
St Cleran’s house in Co Calway gained a reputation as Ireland’s No 1 party house when it was bought by John Huston, the film director, in the 1950’s. Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Marlon Brando and Paul Newman were among the A-list guests.
Almost 60 years and several owners later, St Cleran’s - currently on the market for €3.7m – has yet to shake off its Huston ties. The director’s description of the property as “the most beautiful house in Ireland” is still used by estate agents and tourism officials.
The Huston effect is a good example of how Ireland views its celebrity residents. A huge amount of pride is attached to housing a mega-star and communities are notoriously loyal to their famous neighbours. How else could Bono and his friends – from Bruce Springsteen to Javier Bardem – enjoy a quiet pint in any pub near his home in Dalkey?
The reason Ireland is home to some of the world’s most famous people is the tax exemption for artists. The tax break, for creators of work of artistic or cultural merit, helped bring in a slew of foreign celebrities, including Andrew Lloyd Webber, who bought Kiltinan Castle in Fethard, Co Tipperary.
But the exemption is in danger, with the Commission on Taxation calling it “dead weight” and an unfair perk for artists, some of whom are high earners.
If the government eliminates the incentive in next month’s budget, some foreign millionaires may leave. But to what effect? Can a famous resident really affect local communities? We look at four “adopted” celebrites to find out.
Michael Flatley, Castlehyde
When the Chicago-born dancer bought Castlehyde, a sprawling estate near Fermoy, Co Cork, for €3.17m in 1999, the local community was thrilled. Most agreed the move put Fermoy, a town known mainly for its fishing, on the map.
Flatley did not disappoint. Not only did he spend an estimated €23m renovating the mansion but the project, completed in 2003, gave employment to local workers. Cornerstone Construction, the Co Cork firm appointed to restore Castlehyde, says the refurbishment employed 24 people directly, as well as up to 40 subcontractors, each working a six-day week for nearly three years.
Stories quickly filtered out of Fermoy about Flatley’s generosity. Flowers used at parties in his mansion were later donated to the local hospital and a platinum disc was sold at auction to raise funds for the hospital. Gym equipment worth thousands of euros was donated to Fermoy rowing club after Flatley saw rowers on the river Blackwater, which flows along the edge of his 150-acre estate.
But never was Flatley’s influence on local communities more apparent than last year, when Kerry county council refused him permission to build a mansion on the island of Rossmore. The dancer had planned to construct a 9,100-sq-ft house, a venture strongly supported by the local community.
“The harm that [decision] did to us will be felt for generations,” says Michael Healy-Rae, an independent councillor in Kerry. “Refusing permission robbed our local economy. Michael Flatley coming into our locality would have created 25 to 35 full-time jobs and other would have followed him. Celebrities play a big role in our economies. That’s why we treat them with respect.”
Jeremy Irons, Kilcoe Castle
Although widely respected in Skibbereen, Co Cork, Jeremy Irons has knocked a nose or two out of joint during his 11 years there. Eyebrows were raised when he pained the exterior of Kilcoe Castle – his 15th century home – a peachy pink.
It was acknowledged, however, that Irons, did a magnificent restoration job, spending more than €1m on the six-year project.
“A lot of local people were employed when he restored his castle,” says Adrian Healy, a Fine Gael councillor in Skibbereen.
He also employed a local architect. While he’s away, local people are employed to mind the place. We don’t make anything of it, because he’s one of our own now. He just fits in.”
Iron’s participation in community projects does his local profile no harm. In the past, the Oscar-winning actor has supported the Skibbereen heritage centre by recording a video guide. He is a regular at arts events in the area.
“He always makes an effort to help us out,” says Healy. “I’m involved in the local historical society and he invited us to his castle. He wasn’t there himself, but he put on a reception for us and had someone explain the history of the castle.
Irons is thought to have boosted tourism, as fans travel to Kilcoe to get a glimpse of the star.
Healy says: “I’m in favour of retaining the exemption. West Cork is known for its tourism and it does help to have well known people live here.”
Ronnie Wood, Sandymount
Until last year, the Rolling Stones guitarist had for the most part slipped under the radar whenever he stayed at Sandymount stud, a country retreat and listed building near Clane, Co Kildare.
Aside from the occasional hell-raising party, Wood has maintained a relatively low profile and, when not on band duties, concentrates on his art or riding his motorbike.
According to reports, his mansion is tastefully decorated, with plenty of rock memorabilia, a snooker table selected by Jimmy White and a recording studio.
Wood, who has battled with alcohol addiction, also built a bar in the house in honour of Archie, his hard-drinking father. His 2007 memoir – Ronnie: The Autobiography – details how he redesigned one of the outbuildings to make it like an old-fashioned pub.
The tranquility ended in the summer of last year, however, when Wood and Ekaterina Ivanova, a teenage Russian cocktail waitress, showed up in Clane. The paparazzi descended on the rural backwater much to the disgust of reluctant residents.
The scandal proved Wood’s popularity among local people, however. His 19-year association with the community proved too strong a bond for those seeking tabloid fodder, as shopkeepers, publicans and passersby jumped to his defence.
“He is well liked and his link to the area is important,” says one local man. “He fits in well and his eccentricity adds a bit of character to the place. You won’t hear any locals giving his a bad name.
“I know the traders welcome him into town and they do live off his celebrity name. The pubs here also make a fair trade off linking their name to him.”
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Kilcar
The Broderick clan’s trip last month to the holiday cottage in Kilcar, outside the Co Donegal port of Killybegs, sent the tabloid press into a frenzy. It was the family’s first visit since the birth of twins, Marion Loretta and Tabitha Hodge, in June.
Unlike Flatley, whose permanent residence creates jobs, Parker and Broderick enhance the area simply by staying loyal to it as a holiday destination. This is rewarded by locals who closely guard their privacy.
“The Brodericks’ ties to Kilcar go back 40 years,” says Brendan Byrne, a Fianna Fail councillor in Co Donegal. “The local GAA club has a cup named after the Broderick family which Matthew’s late father bought some 25 years ago. Locals see them as friends and neighbours first and celebrities second.”
As Parker’s profile increased through Sex and the City, fans began to show up in Kilcar and Donegal town.
“The amount of media attention in the last five years is annoying when you consider how 10 years ago this couple could come and go as they please in Kilcar,” says Byrn