Multi-millionaire dancer Michael Flatley and his wife Niamh are celebrating the birth of their first child, a boy, at Cork University Maternity Hospital.
The baby weighed 8 lb 1 oz when born by Caesarean section after Niamh was brought to the new hospital late on Wednesday night from the family home at Castlehyde, near Fermoy in north Cork.
At the hospital yesterday afternoon, Flatley was clearly thrilled with the new arrival but was remaining tight-lipped about a name. He said he would be happy with whatever his wife chose.
"Somebody just asked me if this is the best feeling I've had - I don't remember any other feelings right now except this one. It's remarkable and the first time I held my child, I don't think I'll ever forget that as long as I live.
"We are overjoyed, both mum and baby are doing well. I cannot wait to get Niamh and our baby son home to Castlehyde. We would like to thank Prof John Higgins and all the wonderful staff at the hospital".
Michael (48) who is from Chicago and Niamh (32), from Kilbride, Co Meath, were married last October at St Patrick's Church in Fermoy with some 250 guests later celebrating the wedding at Castlehyde.
In November, Flatley was struck down by a serious but non-threatening viral infection that forced him to cancel all dates of his Celtic Tiger European tour and he spent a week in a London hospital.
Flatley first came to prominence in Riverdance at Eurovision in 1994 but has since gone on to stage a series of highly successful dance shows such as Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames.
Flatley is worth an estimated €500 million plus and has homes in Barbados, Chicago, France and London as well as Castlehyde, which he bought in 1999 and on which he spent several million euro for refurbishment.
