In the footsteps of John Charles

WHATEVER about leppin' about in the nude, what would Archbishop John Charles McQuaid think of the sale of his private house, …

WHATEVER about leppin' about in the nude, what would Archbishop John Charles McQuaid think of the sale of his private house, Ashurst, in Killiney to Dublin businessman Liam Smith for a sum said to be in the region of £1.1 million?

Now there's talk that the 13-bed-room Victorian-Gothic-style house might be converted into a super-luxury palatial home specifically designed to be a home away from home for visiting rock stars, mega-rich actors and football teams. Apparently, there simply aren't enough delux homes for rent to cater for the itinerant population of stars and celebs passing through the country.

Smith, a restaurateur and pub owner, is believed to be working on the venture with solicitor Gerard Kean who has acted for such stellar client's as Duran Duran, Simple Minds, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash.