Wealth keeps Irvine in the fast lane

FORMER Formula One driver Eddie Irvine might be out of the fast lane, but he’s still wealthy enough to own a yacht, a helicopter, a plane and several Ferraris.

His €44 million makes him the richest Irish sports star, and the 124th-richest Irish person, according to part two of the Sunday Times Irish Rich List.

He also owns properties in Dublin, New York, Milan and China. But he is still far behind his former boss Eddie Jordan, who is in 56th place with €91m.

Another Irish sports star, Roy Keane, makes it into the list in 158th place. The Corkman earns €130,000 a week, and received at least €1.4m from his autobiography. His total wealth is estimated at €29m.

The first 100 of the Sunday Times Irish Rich List featured household names like JP McManus and Dermot Desmond. The second 100 features lower-profile but still successful figures.

The Keeling brothers, Joseph and Frederick, are worth €47m, thanks to their fruit and vegetable distribution business.

Another pair of brothers, Peter and Mark Keaveney, are in 101st place. They own Glenberg, the company which in turn owns most of the 65-saloon Peter Mark hairdressing chain.

Two of the main shareholders in bookmaking chain Paddy Powers also make the list. John Corcoran is thought to be worth €48m and David Power about €36m.

One of the country’s wealthiest land owners is the Earl of Meath and his family, who own 800 acres in Co Wicklow. That land and other assets bring the family’s wealth to €47m.

Other notables in the second 100 of the list include music promoter Vince Power and fast food magnate Pat McDonagh.