Flatley backs plan for heritage centre

Global dance superstar Michael Flatley has backed an ambitious plan to develop a world centre for Irish heritage in Cork.

The Irish-American, who lives in Castlehyde in Fermoy, has agreed to be an ambassador for a project which could attract up to 500,000 visitors a year.

The proposed national centre, which could cost up to €20m, is a centrepiece of Cork City Council’s three-year tourism strategy, which was unveiled last night. City bosses are confident that with Flatley’s backing, their bid will trump a similar proposal in Dalkey.