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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Kayla Walsh & Cormac O'Shea

Inside Michael Flatley's personal life - wife and rarely seen son, former loves and failed marriage

Michael Flatley is back on our screens as his new movie Blackbird is set to drop in cinemas soon.

The Riverdance legend is one of the most well-known faces in Ireland at this stage but how much do you really know about his personal life?

Here's a quick guide.

Marriage to dancer Niamh

The Lord of the Dance fell madly in love with beautiful younger dancer Niamh, who performed in many of his shows.

Read more: Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley reacts to reports of U2 Las Vegas residency

They decided to get married in 2006 after just four months of dating, tying the knot in a romantic October ceremony St Patrick's Church in Fermoy, Co. Cork - Rsvp Live reports.

The wedding was attended by 250 guests and Niamh arrived in Michael's Rolls Royce Phantom wearing an £80,000 specially made Badgley Mischka dress.

Actor Patrick Bergin and Michael Flatley at the Irish premiere of Blackbird at the Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin (Brian McEvoy)

Meanwhile Michael showed up in his Mercedes convertible, greeting fans and posing for photos on his way into the church.

Niamh's retired schoolteacher father walked her down the aisle and her two sisters were her bridesmaids while Michael's brother Patrick was his best man.

After the ceremony, they enjoyed a six-course gourmet meal at Flatley's lavish Cork mansion, Castle Hyde, washing down their lobster with vintage champagne.

The reception included entertainment from The Chieftans, as well as dancing by performers from Michael's many productions, including Riverdance.

The couple welcomed their son Michael Junior a year after the wedding.

Great relationship with son

Michael stepped out with son Michael Jr as well as wife Niamh at the movie premiere earlier this week and he is certainly proud.

Screengrab from BBC Breakfast of Michael Flatley speaking about his self-financed espionage thriller Blackbird (BBC/PA Media)

"He's a very academic young man. He's also a flautist. He plays electric guitar He's an actor and a director. He's very creative," proud dad Michael previously explained.

He added: "I'm crazy about him. I realise he and Niamh are the most important and precious things in my life. Work and career are not the most important thing."

Ex-wife

Flatley was first married to Polish hairdresser artist Beata Dziaba for 11 years, who he met while dancing in London in 1985.

He split from Beata in 1997 after revealing he allegedly had an affair with another dancer Kelley Byrne who was 19 at the time.

He later had a high-profile relationship with Lisa Murphy which broke down before he met his now wife.

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