Singer Michael Jackson is reported to have spent the last 3 months in County Wicklow, staying at Luggala Castle.

The castle and estate are owned by Garech Browne, a member of the Guinness brewing family. Mr. Browne completed a deal in March with the Irish government and sold over 1,600 acres of the estate land for €1.72m to extend the public ownership of the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

Luggala Castle is situated in the spectacular surroundings of the Wicklow Mountains and previous guests in the castle include Mel Gibson and Orlando Bloom.

Jackson has reportedly spent approximately €250,000 ($320,000) on his stay. The €20k to €30k per week cost includes staff and the castle accommodates 10 to 12 guests.

Havens and Hideaways gives a complete description of the property :

“The main bedroom is on the ground floor, as is a sitting room with a huge plasma tv, a drawing room, dining room and kitchen.  The library is in the courtyard as is the indoor pool.  Up one flight of stairs there is a bedroom with a  four poster bed and its own bathroom. from the landing a staircase leads to a twin room, also with a bathroom.  To the left is a double bedroom with two doors - one onto a corridor that leads to the second staircase and a twin bedded shamrock room and a single bedded shamrock room and two bathrooms to serve the three bedrooms.  At the end of this corridor is the minstrels gallery.  From the minstrels’ gallery one can go down to another bedroom with a bathroom, overlooking the courtyard.”

Jackson is apparantly accompanied by his 3 children, Prince Michael (9), Paris (8) and Prince Michael II (4). Local residents have spotted the singer dining in local restaurants and trips to the cinema (most likely in either Bray or Greystones).

It is reported that Jackson wants to make a move to Ireland permanently and he has even spent time house hunting in County Cork.