MICHAEL Flatley was presented with one of the highest honors he's ever received last weekend in Cork, when the city officially named him a Freeman. He joins elite company, including President John F. Kennedy and former Irish President Eamon de Valera. "I said this was my dream home and I am now more convinced than ever that this is the greatest place in the world to live," Flatley said at the public ceremony, which was attended by his wife Niamh, and his parents Michael and Eilish, who flew from Chicago for the big event.

"I want to dedicate this award to my family because it was their support which made all of this possible," he said.

The littlest Flatley, Michael Junior, born to Michael and Niamh in April, missed dad's big day, though. He stayed behind in the multi-million dollar Cork castle that he'll be raised in, but the world will soon get a glimpse of the little fella.

Michael inked an exclusive picture deal with Hello! magazine in the U.K., with all proceeds, in the region of $1 million, going to the maternity hospital in Cork where the baby was born. The photo shoot has taken place, so the baby should soon be making his world debut.

The Lord of the Dance creator is mightily enjoying his new found fatherhood, and no chore is too mundane. "I was in when my wife was in labor, I was in when she had the C-section and she has done her part here - the least I can do is change the diapers, or whatever she needs," said the new dad, who plans on spending part of the summer at his spread in Barbados.

Meanwhile, it seems as if Michael and his ex-fiance Lisa Murphy have parted on good terms. The two, who dated on and off for years, barely missed bumping into each other recently at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, the Sunday Independent reports, but Lisa has nothing but good things to say about her former beau and his new life.

"I delighted for Michael and Niamh. I want nothing but happiness for them. I spent some great years with Michael and I wish him and Niamh every good wish in the world," said Lisa, who is now dating one of the richest lawyers in Ireland. (Michael is said to be pleased that she's found new love.)

And remember that creepy pair in Chicago who made his life hell a few years ago with the phony "rape" charge? Tyna Marie Robertson claimed Michael raped her in Las Vegas, but her story was so weak that cops refused to press charges.

Worse, she had a crazy pit bull lawyer trying to extort Michael for $1 million so the story wouldn't make the papers. But Flatley fought back, big-time, and now the lawyer, Dean Mauro, has had his law license suspended. He can appeal the decision in a year, the Chicago Sun-Times reports, but it's often a losing cause.