Home > Blog > Today in Ireland > Ireland no Longer Poor
DoChara's Ireland Blog
Random Writings about Ireland and the Irish
Friday
May 4 2007
Ireland's Rich get Richer
If anyone is still labouring under the illusion that Ireland is still a poor country, a quick perusal of the Sunday Times Rich List, published last week will quickly dispel it.
We now have seven billionaires in our midst, and to get into the top 250 of Ireland richest people you now need to have €32 million ($43 million) stashed away. There is estimated to be about 20,000 millionaires in the country - that's 1 for every 200 people in the country.
Presumably one of them will be prepared to pop for this 2 bedroom apartment in Dublin, on the market for €4m - it looks kind of sterile and uninviting to me but then I am not their demographic by a long shot!
There was a time when rich Irish people were almost shy about letting anyone know they had money - not any more. The change was very clear at a lunchtime fashion show for charity held here in Kilkenny last week. Not just because the style in the audience easily outdid what was on the catwalk but because several of those in attendance arrived by helicopter.
Flashing the cash doesn't suit all of the wealthy though. Sean Quinn, Ireland's second richest person and a self-made billionaire, lives quietly and still regularly joins in card games at the local pub. I know another man who is almost certainly nipping at the heels of the top 250 and quite honestly if you met him you'd probably feel sorry for him and offer him lunch.
Comments on "Ireland's Rich get Richer"
Please note: To prevent spam all comments are moderated. Promotional or advertising comments will not be published. If you want to ask a question or start a discussion rather than post a comment, please so so in the forum. Thank you!
TrackBacks
Powered By: TrackBackr
