Bob Greifeld raised a glass to his assembled kin and made a toast to the simple things in life. He did so with the finest vintage Bâtard-Montrachet served in the best crystal at a table set with sterling silver in one of the many stunning staterooms of Luttrellstown Castle on the edge of Dublin.

The castle, which Mr Greifeld had hired for a week-long family reunion after he was named chief executive of Nasdaq, along with the copious feasts, the entertainers and the servants, cost more than $611,000. And Mr Greifeld paid for the lot — almost.

“To the simple things and family,” Mr Greifeld said, as a team of butlers removed the shoes of the ladies and placed their feet on satin pillows. The guests, 20 of Mr Greifeld’s closest family members, had been invited to the party on August 20, 2004, via parchment scrolls that read: “Oh from far and wide ye young and old shall gather together for the Greifelds’ Grand Family Reunion. From the Big Apple to the Emerald Isle, journey back to discover our distant Irish past in a land of leprechauns and folklore.”

But even though he and his family seemed to have a wonderful time enjoying riding, jousting, falconry, hunting, golfing and flying around the countryside in a private helicopter (the week was captured in intimate detail on DVD because Mr Greifeld had hired a film crew to follow his clan 24/7), the Nasdaq chief ended up in a dispute over the bill.

He paid most of the enormous tab on time but balked at the last $70,000. He filed a legal claim against Gregory Patrick, the event planner who had organised the extravaganza, because of an apparent misunderstanding about the contract. The litigation dragged on unnoticed for a year and was resolved only last month.

Mr Greifeld’s claims that he had been overcharged were thrown out by a judge in New Jersey, as were Mr Patrick’s claims for the disputed $70,000, and the event planner was ordered to hand over the masters of the DVD. Mr Patrick plans to appeal against the judgment on Tuesday.

The gathering was opulent in the extreme. A signature champagne cocktail was created for the event, and shampoos in bottles labelled “Greifeld” were placed in each guest room. A team of butlers — one of whom worked for the Crown Prince of the Netherlands — headed a staff of 55. Masseuses were available around the clock, as were leading chefs, sommeliers, cigar experts, equerries, fitness trainers and nannies.

Musicians were flown in from London. Anúna, a leading Irish choral group, serenaded a candlelight dinner, and a busker, plucked from the streets of Dublin by Mr Patrick, was commissioned to write not one, but two original ditties for the reunion. After flying first-class to Dublin, most of the family were chauffeured to the castle. Mr Greifeld’s father and younger brother arrived later, however — a fear of flying had compelled them to make the trip on the Queen Mary II for $28,000.

The next morning the family awoke to the scent of wood smoke and roasting wild boar, as Mr Patrick had transformed the grounds into a replica 13th-century village. The guests donned period costumes — their host was dressed as the local laird — for a day of medieval pursuits. In the evening they were joined by a team of 30 actors for a grand banquet.

Julia Greifeld, Bob’s wife of 23 years, attended Ladies Day at the Curragh racecourse on the Wednesday, although she rented a hat for €185 rather than buy one, as she was worried about transporting it safely back to the US. Those who did not go to the races stayed at the castle and had a picnic with someone who purported to be a leprechaun, a wee creature that can be seen only by children who believe in them and Americans with fat wallets. In the evening a nine-course “chef competition” feast was judged by two food critics. For afters the family enjoyed a display of Irish dancing, while a master vintner taught the men how to pass the port.

And what holiday to Ireland would be complete without a jaunt to Edinburgh Castle? Mr Greifeld and his clan were up at 4:30 the next morning to take the first flight to Scotland. After a quick tour of the castle — private, with piper, of course — they returned on the late flight to Dublin for a “casual dinner” accompanied by a pianist and an Irish balladeer. The rest of the week was a whirl of riverdancing, hurling lessons, pony trekking, a visit to the Guinness brewery, the zoo, a private Mass — in a private church whose usual worshippers were excluded — harpists, balloon sculptors, string quartets, food tastings, wine tastings and lessons in cigar appreciation.

One of the few sore points of the whole incredible week — apart from the children breaking the busker’s guitar — was the genealogist. Despite charging €1,500 for his services, he was not able to uncover all that many of Mr Greifeld’s Irish ancestors. Fancy that.

In excess

$47,129.71 Airfares

$28,149.50 Queen Mary II for Mr Greifeld Sr
(afraid to fly)

€48,000 Accommodation
Luttrellstown Castle — 7 nights 22 people

€34,000 Food, drink, extras

€22,862 Games and costumes

€23,270 Activities and entertainment

€4,437 Wine

€288.00 Satin pillows for ladies feet during dinner

€185 Hat hirefor Mrs Greifeld

€100 Leprechaun outfit