Plenty of Kildare interest as list of Ireland's richest people is revelaed

Kildare has always been a hub of activity for some of Ireland's richest and most successful business people, and the list of the country's 300 richest people shows that Kildare is a continued source of investment for the elite. Racing enthusiast John Magnier, ranked the 6th richest Irish citizen, was part of the consortium that spent €65 to purchase the Curragh recently, and the Cork-born businessman has a fortune worth an estimated €2.2 billion. Michael O'Leary, who was educated in Clongowes college near Clane, comes in at number 12 in the list of Ireland's richest. The Ryanair boss has made his €1.08 billion fortune through his airline and a commercial property portfolio. The Comer brothers, Luke and Brian, are two places below O'Leary in the list and have a fortune worth around €1 billion. The Galway-born siblings own the Palmerstown House in Naas. Frank Dunne is currently the richest person living in Kildare. He owns the largest amount of shares in Dunnes Stores, and the stud farm owner is said to be worth €305 million. He ranks at number 43 on the list. K Club owner Michael Smurfit is just three places below him on the list, and he is worth a cool €300 million. Smurfit is a renowned businessman and will mark his 80th birthday this year by hosting the Irish Open in the Kildare golf resort based in Straffan. Father and son Michael and Brian Enright helped to bankroll the €330 million purchase of Millenium Park in Naas during the boom years, and they are said to be worth €295 million, listed at number 48. Kildare based Nigel Flaherty is part of the Flaherty dynasty that made their fortune through car sales. They are the biggest car sellers in the country and have a combined wealth of €288 million. Former U2 manager Paul McGuinness is said to have made €176 million during his time in charge of the iconic Irish band. Like Michael O'Leary, he was also educated in Clongowes college and comes in at number 80 on the list.