The luxury mansion purchased by Ryanair and GPA founder Tony Ryan outside Nenagh in Co Tipperary was extensively damaged by fire yesterday afternoon.
Firefighters said a complete wing of the multi-million euro Kilboy House, near the village of Dolla, was destroyed in the fire and significant smoke damage was caused to the rest of the building. Mr Ryan's son, Shane, has been living in the house in recent years. A spokesman at the estate said he was out of the country and they were trying to contact him. Mr Ryan purchased the house and the surrounding Kilboy Estate in the 1980s where he reared an extensive herd of Blonde d'Aquataine cattle.
Fire brigades from Nenagh, Cloughjordan and Newport rushed there after the alert was raised at 4.20pm.
The Chief Fire Officer for north Tipperary, Dave Carroll, said firefighters managed to move expensive paintings before they could be damaged.