Gillies Macbain arrived in Ireland in 1963 to escape the society and bustle of London. After seeking refuge for a short time at the monastery of Mount Melleray in County Waterford, he made the permanent move to Ireland in 1964. From then, he worked in various capacities as a footman, a butler, an actor and a farmer. He currently lives in a castle in Templemore, County Tipperary, and foregoes the trappings of modern life.