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Michael Jackson: A special relationship with Ireland
Friday, 26 June 2009
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Although Michael Jackson was a global superstar, he always maintained a close relationship with Ireland.
His two 1988 sell-out concerts in Cork are still fondly remembered by the thousands who flocked to Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
The shows came as part of the 'Bad' tour and Jackson was at the height of his powers.
But while there have been infrequent visits back to Ireland for concerts, it was his less advertised time here that drew massive attention.
Jackson fever gripped the midlands in 2006, after the singer visited the village of Rosemount, near Moate in Co Westmeath.
He stayed in the luxurious Grouse Lodge recording studios to lay down some tracks and there were reported sightings across the region.
While at Grouse Lodge he recorded an interview at the studios with American TV reporter Billy Bush for the show 'Access Hollywood'.
Jackson told the show: “Ireland has inspired me to make a great album. I have never given up on making music.”
Last night, the owner of Temple Bar Studios, Paddy Dunning, said he was shocked at the death. Jackson stayed with Mr Dunning in Grouse Lodge at the time.
“I was really shocked and stunned to hear that he had died. We got on really well. I had no idea at all that he might have been sick,” said Mr Dunning.
Jackson's Westmeath visit followed a period when he was based in Co Wicklow. He shelled out a reported rent of €30,000 per week to stay at Luggala Castle for three months.
The seven-bedroom retreat came with private chefs, butlers and cleaners, and is set in a 1,500-acre country estate. Previous star guests included actors Mel Gibson and Orlando Bloom.
On several occasions, it was reported that Jackson wanted to move to Ireland permanently, and that he even spent time house-hunting in Co Cork.
According to Californian psychic Randa Starr, the pop superstar has always been interested in Ireland because he is fascinated by fairies and leprechauns.
There were even rumours that the singer wanted to build an Irish-themed leprechaun theme park twinned with his Neverland ranch in the USA.
In March this year, Irish fans were treated to a close-up viewing of some of Jackson's personal property which were displayed in Co Kildare in advance of a planned auction.
The items included an iconic white-jewelled glove, a selection of his on-stage costumes, and fedoras from the 'Billie Jean' video.
Athlone-born man Martin Nolan, co-owner of Julien's Auctions, chose Newbridge as the venue for the exhibition in April this year, the only showing of the pop star's personal items in Europe.
However the subsequent auction sale in Los Angeles was cancelled after a legal wrangle.
But it was on stage that Jackson will best be remembered by Irish fans, most notably during Cork in 1988.
Other major gigs in Dublin's RDS in 1997 and Lansdowne Road and Cork in 1992 also drew thousands of loyal fans.
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I was at Michael's Concert on the 27th July 1992 at Lansdowne Road and it truly was amazing, i always thought i would see him again in Concert but as of 25th June 2009 Michael Jackson The King Of Music was taken 4rm us much too soon. I started following Michael's music 1987 and it went 4rm there his music took me through some very dark times as i know it did for others also. it breaks my heart he's gone and i really feel for his 3 Children, Prince, Paris and Blanket (pet name) there daddy has gone too soon and u could tell that the children adored their father as he loved and adored them and no-1 can take that away 4rm Michael. Rest in Peace our Song-Bird, you and ur music will go on long after we are all gone. I loved u Michael and thank u 4 da music da love and da kindness i wont eva 4get you. Frances Marie McLaughlin (1958 - 2009)
Posted by Fran | 12.08.09, 00:49 GMT
i wonder why he didnt move to ireland and if he was still alive i wonder if he would have moved here??
Posted by livvie | 24.07.09, 20:26 GMT
it doesn't surprise me that michael would find the beautiful Isle of Ireland a good place to live after all the invasion of privacy he had to endure. I just wish he could have moved there a while ago and maybe alot would have been better for him. He could have sought privacy and most likely have gotten it as the people of Ireland seem to respect that.
Posted by Becky | 13.07.09, 23:49 GMT
to cathal, you are the one who needs to get a grip! Ireland has and always will have a beauty that noone else can ever claim, The beauty of the land AND of the people will never be surpassed. If u are lucky to claim any heritage of this beautiful country then you are truly blessed!
Posted by noreen | 08.07.09, 02:48 GMT
Anyone who has visited Ireland especially when the weather is fine cannot have the desire to live on the Emerald Isle. I believe that Michael would have loved to live in Ireland if that woulld have permitted his family to live a happy normal life. RIP, My thoughts are with the family. Perhaps he will visit Ireland in another state.
Posted by Doug | 29.06.09, 05:51 GMT
I agree with Ian, i mean don't get me wrong, i loved Michael Jacksons music as a kid but seriously Ireland seems to lay special relationship claims to just about every old tom dick and harry or should that be sean, paddy and obama going. Catch a grip !.. God bless Michaels family, may he rest in peace.
Posted by Cathal | 27.06.09, 01:34 GMT
I will miss Micheal Jackson,he was a good person.And to the Micheal Jackson haters,how dear you judge[were you there!!!!!!!!!]
Posted by Sherrie | 26.06.09, 17:29 GMT
what???? a specail relationship with ireland...
he had a massive talent but his private llife was too controversial, i have 2 kids,,,, need i say more
Posted by Dave | 26.06.09, 12:59 GMT
Give us strength, I liked Jackson - but why the need to paint some picture that patently doesnt exist?
Is this an Irish thing surely not, I certainly have noticed it when witnessing the pathetic attempts of a certain football club in Glasgow to try and manufacture 'special relationships' that dont exist, but please dont let this become known as a national trait - surely we are a proud enough people to know what we do possess and bonds we have brokered without resorting to this?
Posted by Ian | 26.06.09, 12:02 GMT
Michael was part of my life, he was with me when I met my first girlfriend, my weddings and at the births of my kids. He was with me at my triumphs, my not too infrequent failures, my ups and downs, my smiles and my frowns.
There will, in the coming days, months and years, be many epitaphs and epithets for this brightest of God’s superstars, hyperbole and superlatives will gush from many places but nothing can express the loss on his dedicated and faithful fans faces.
Kevin, Liverpool.
Posted by Kevin, Liverpool | 26.06.09, 09:31 GMT