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The Bastion Gallery

We were Michael Jackson’s favorite Shop in Athlone! The Star visited our shop in 2006 and he spent 2 hours here!

Today FM (and accompanying video interview) (April 7, 2017)

Athlone's Left Bank area is full of gorgeous restaurants and unique shops, but there's nothing quite like The Bastion Gallery. It's a treasure trove of hand-woven scarves and throws, photography, original tapestries, hand-blown glass and pottery.

Katie McCay owns the shop and back in 2006 she got a phone call that would give her the ultimate star-struck story to retell for years to come.

A friend reached out to ask Katie if the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, could come and visit her shop. As phone calls go, you don't get bigger than that.

Michael was recording in Grouse Lodge Studios nearby and had heard about Katie's shop.

He rocked up with his family one evening, and spent thousands of euro on gifts for his kids.

Katie and her son Mark, who was with her that evening, say Michael was chatty and friendly.

They were both made sign a non-disclosure agreement about what he purchased, and if they broke it they'd have to fork out a whopping $10,000,000.