King of pop felt at home in Westmeath"s Grouse Lodge

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop had discovered a home away from home in Westmeath when he spent five months in Coolatore House, Rosemount beside international recording studios Grouse Lodge. Michael Jackson had come to Grouse Lodge to record a new album in 2006, reportedly flying in will.i.am to produce the work, some of which is rumoured to be released in a week"s time. Speaking about the untimely death of the 50-year-old, Paddy Dunning owner of Grouse Lodge Recording Studios and Temple Bar Music Centre, said he was both shocked and saddened by the news. 'We were privileged to have Michael record and stay with us as it was an honour to work with such a musical mastermind,' commented Paddy Dunning. 'He recorded many songs here and had a great love of Irish music. He was at ease in the Westmeath countryside and loved the local history and was fascinated by Irish mythology,' he continued. Speaking in a recent interview, Paddy talked about how he became a close friend of the recluse musician, saying Jackson enjoyed the anonymity the Westmeath countryside afforded him and his family: 'Michael Jackson was a gentleman and pure artist with a pitch perfect voice,' said Paddy. 'He brought his family for a month and ended up staying for five. 'He loved the midlands, loved Mullingar, Tullamore, Athlone, and his family had a fantastic time. He"s not what everybody thinks he is and he was a pure and utter gentlemen. He was an extremely great parent to his kids, they were schooled here every single day, and he was so happy and relaxed that people didn"t hassle him or harass him. 'The locals were great in the area by not letting it out to the paparazzi that he was here, they gave him his privacy and he appreciated that,' said Paddy. Even after he left, Michael stayed in contact with Paddy, often enquiring how all in Rosemount were keeping. 'We were deeply shocked and saddened by his passing away,' commented Paddy. 'Michael is a great loss to us all in the music industry. He has left us a great musical legacy.'