February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The Chicago-born dance star was in the middle of a $22 million restoration project on his mansion in County Cork, when workmen uncovered the ancient burial site on the grounds close by. Artifacts recovered so far include two vases are urns, which are reportedly in “perfect” condition.
Flatley was thrilled at the find.
“It was amazing to hold the urns,” he told the Sunday World.
“[They] date back to about 1800 B.C. I was the first person in all that time to touch them,” he said. “It’s a great feeling, I can tell you.”
Flatley’s decision to notify the authorities of his find and to call in the experts has gained him the admiration of cultural historians. Because proper excavation and examination of such sites can hold up work for months, if not years, many builders and developers who stumble upon such sites hurry to cover them up again. But not Michael.
“I think [it] is really important is that people alert the authorities to these finds,” said the happy hoofer. “I was so excited about the discovery . . . that the work on the house was the last thing on my mind.”
Delays aside, Michael is dusting the furniture and getting the good china (vases, too) out of storage for the biggest housewarming soiree that Cork has ever seen. Michael is planning a knees-up in October for a herd of his celebrity pals.
The guest list includes a veritable who’s who of celebrities from all walks of life: like Bill and Hillary Clinton, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kathleen Turner, Bono and the trouble and strife, Phil Collins, Shirley Bassey, Bo Derek and Wayne McCullough. Sandra Bullock has also been invited — maybe she can drive the bus that ferries the other famous faces to the shin dig. But only if she agrees not to Speed.
In more Michael news, our favorite blond is going full steam ahead with plans for an Irish-themed hotel and casino in Las Vegas. We’re picturing Celtic designs on staff uniforms, brown scones in the restaurants and “25” at the gaming tables. Michael has grand plans for the whole thing, but will take an unusual (for him) hands-off attitude.
“I’ve been involved in the design of it and the financing of it,” he said. “But I won’t be involved in the day-to-day running of it. There’ll be a whole team there.”
In our last Flatley item, we hear that the star is forging ahead with his $100 million lawsuit against the woman who accused him of sexual assault. He demands a retraction of Tyna Marie Robertson’s claims and a public apology.
“I’m going to pursue it until the end,” he vowed.