Stars attend lavish AP McCoy bash in Adare

The stars were out in force in Limerick at the weekend, attending a lavish retirement party for legendary jockey AP McCoy.

Thanks to a strictly- enforced media blackout, details of the extravagant soiree remained largely secret — an impressive feat considering the 1,800-strong guest list included Robbie Williams, Princess Anne, and several of Ireland’s political leaders.

Host JP McManus threw the unbridled bash on Saturday night at his own five-star Adare Manor resort, treating guests to a three-course dinner and all the champagne they could handle, set against the backdrop of a specially-constructed multi-storey marquee.

Rock royalty Robbie Williams was on hand to entertain the crowd with some of his greatest hits, while actual royalty, Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Philips, were in attendance.

Princess Anne was among the guests

Fellow sporting royalty was also represented, in the form of former rugby star Brian O’Driscoll and his wife, actress Amy Huberman.

Westlife star and radio host Nicky Byrne could be seen rubbing shoulders with former bandmate Shane Filan and his wife Gillian while controversial businessman Denis O’Brien also attended, as did Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Finance Minister Michael Noonan, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and former tánaiste Mary Harney.

Security for the star-studded event was paramount and British intelligence agency MI5 carried out a sweep of Adare Manor before the event, which also featured BBC presenter Clare Balding as MC.

The broadcaster, who is a retired amateur jockey, requested that guests switch off their mobile phones for the night and asked them not to Tweet or take any photos while they were there.

It is understood there were up to 1,200 staff at the party, taking care of the party-goers’ every need.

Robbie Williams was flown in to perform for guests.

After the event eventually wound down, at around 6am on Sunday, guests were ferried by limousine to local hotels in nearby Adare village, including the Strand and the Dunraven Arms.

Close friends and VIPs retired to Adare Manor itself and to JP McManus’ new €50m palatial mansion at Kilmallock, which is set on 38,372 sq ft and features an artificial lake, nine bedroom suites, an 18-metre pool, a 200-seat cinema, and an underground car park.