How Henry Mount Charles brought Dylan, Springsteen and The Rolling Stones to a former rock'n'roll backwater

When
Henry Mount Charles
, who
died
on June 18th at the age of 74, first reframed his ancestral home of
Slane Castle
as a signature rock venue in 1981, it must have been more in hope than expectation.
Ireland was then a rock'n'roll backwater rarely included on the touring schedule of the big international acts of the day, as it had a severe shortage of decent-sized venues. The backdrop of violence and the hunger strikes in the North did not help, but the Republic had succeeded in making itself a dispiriting place on its own.
Fintan O'Toole, in his book
We Don't Know Ourselves
, outlined the grim picture. 'The number of unemployed people had doubled over the course of the 1970s. Mass emigration was back. There was a balance of payments crisis and government debt was out of control ... The whole project of making Ireland a normal Western European country was in deep trouble.'
Yet there must have been some optimism in the music business, as in 1981 Slane had to compete with music festivals in Macroom, Co Cork, Ballisodare, Co Sligo, Castlebar, Co Mayo, and Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare. Most of those events were headlined by Irish acts, however – as indeed was Slane.
Thin Lizzy
were nearing the end of their career at the top, but supporting them that day in August was a four-piece on the rise from Dublin:
U2
.
READ MORE
Although only about 25,000 people attended the first Slane concert, its success paved the way for future events and for Henry Mount Charles' emergence as a public figure of note. Slane's natural amphitheatre could safely accommodate numbers much greater than the modest first event. In addition, it was near Dublin and could be reached by bus or car in a relatively short time.
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]
Rock music is a business. The bigger the audience, the easier it is to attract leading acts. Pay them the money and they will come. And so it proved, with the likes of
The Rolling Stones
,
Bob Dylan
and
Bruce Springsteen
happy to park their caravans down by the Boyne.
Springsteen's concert in front of an estimated 65,000 fans marked an important shift in his career: it was the first time he and the E Street Band played in front of a stadium-sized outdoor audience. It would be the first of many lucrative concerts.
As the profile of Slane grew, Mount Charles lapped it up. Although concerts were generally partnerships with the likes of
MCD Productions
and
Aiken Promotions
, Henry was the public face of the event. He was no less a performer than those artists he welcomed to Slane. Concert days were celebrated in high style with the great and the good in the castle.
[
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]
He was keenly aware of the value of good publicity and no slouch when in search of it. The money generated by the concerts was a windfall of sorts, but, crucially, it allowed him to underpin the finances of the castle and its grounds, developing other projects, such as the
Slane whiskey brand
, and helping to provide the resources to overcome setbacks such as the fire of 1991.
Although a very public personality, the young Henry Mount Charles – he was in his early 30s in 1981 – was good and genial company, interested in the world beyond his castle walls and indeed beyond his elite social milieu.
Embracing the rock'n'roll world afforded him the opportunity to experience the thrill of meeting great artists and celebrities while banking enough to retain and maintain his beloved Slane Castle for future generations. That concert idea was good fortune indeed.
Joe Breen wrote about rock music for The Irish Times from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s

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Dublin Live

an hour ago

• Dublin Live

Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mount Charles brought rock & roll to Ireland

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mount Charles was hailed as the man who brought rock and roll to Ireland who we 'owe a great debt to' as his family announce he has lost his brave battle to cancer. The owner of Slane Castle, where he has hosted some of Ireland's most memorable concerts since the 1980s, passed away peacefully in the late hours of June 18 following a long battle with cancer. He was 74 years old. In a statement, his family said: 'Lord Henry leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as a passionate steward of Ireland's heritage, dedicating his life to preserving Slane Castle and transforming it into a beacon of culture, music, and community. 'His visionary leadership and generosity touched countless lives, while his warmth, humour, and resilience endeared him to friends, colleagues, and admirers across generations. They added: 'Lord Henry's light will continue to shine through the lives he enriched and the enduring contributions he made to Ireland's cultural landscape. He will be profoundly missed, but never forgotten.' In a statement, the President said he was 'saddened' to learn of Lord Henry's passing, and praised his vision in transforming Slane Castle into one of the country's most iconic music venues. 'Lord Henry's contribution was quite unique and a very important turning point in live music in Ireland when he decided to begin using the natural amphitheatre at Slane Castle as a venue at which public performances could be held by some of the most contemporary makers of music,' President Higgins said. 'I have been saddened over recent years to hear of his struggles with cancer, about which he spoke personally and helpfully of his experiences.' The President also extended his condolences to Lord Henry's wife, Iona, their children Alexander, Henrietta, Wolfe and Tamara, and to 'all his family and friends'. Taoiseach Micheal Martin told RTE 's News At One that Lord Henry was 'iconic' and his death marked an 'end of an era'. He said: "In terms of music and culture he left an incredible impact and in terms of Slane. 'I mean he came back as a 25-year-old to run Slane. Thin Lizzy was their first band with U2 supporting. 'He was iconic. Slane is iconic. It is the end of an era in many respects in terms of architecturally, in terms of preserving Slane and making it economically viable but above all in terms of his impact on music and culture. 'We owe him a great debt, and he was a wonderfully charismatic person.' Tanaiste Simon Harris has also paid tribute to Lord Henry, the man 'who brought rock-and-roll to the iconic music venue that is Slane Castle'. Harris praised his 'unrivalled wit, warmth and generosity', and thanked him for bringing music, culture and pride to Co Meath. Fellow Meath man and Minister for State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, said the county 'has lost one of its finest gentlemen', praising his 'innate decency and good humour'. Speaking to us in 2019, Lord Mount Charles revealed it was a 'sharp eyed' radiographer in 2014 spotted something on his right lung after he initially went in with a kidney stone problem. He told us at the time: 'That is the thing, I was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. I was very lucky to get a diagnosis early because I had no symptoms. '[The diagnosis] came about as a result of a kidney stone and a sharp eyed radiography spotted something in my right lung. Other wise I would've been in a lot more trouble.' He said since his cancer diagnosis, he looked at life differently. 'It's been a journey. It has had its ups and downs. I nearly died Christmas a year ago. In fact, I was told my number was up. 'Somehow with brilliant care in St James and a brilliant oncologist, I got through it. (Image: Collins) 'You're damn right (look at things differently). I will be taking a very different approach to this year's show but on a larger thing of course, you appreciate life, and we prioritise things,' he added at the time. Aslan star Billy McGuinness was among the hundreds of tributes yesterday. Speaking to Joe Duffy on his Liveline show on RTE Radio 1, Billy said: 'I've met Henry over the years, because I live in Bettystown, and I would call out to Slane Castle quite regularly. 'He put back into refurbishing the castle, and it's absolutely fantastic now, with the brewing and everything, and his son, Alex, is running the place now.' Lord Henry opened up in 2021 about his battle with alcoholism, which followed a devastating fire at Slane Castle in 1991 that destroyed much of the interior of the building. 'After the fire, I used alcohol as a crutch to deal with a very wounded spirit, and I used spirits to cover over that wound,' he told the Irish Independent. He maintained U2 bassist Adam Clayton, with whom he became close friends in 1984, was 'hugely helpful' in getting him past these woes. (Image: Collins) Henry had taken over the running of Slane from his father at the age of 25 in 1976, after returning home from London, where he worked with book publishers Faber & Faber. He had received a call from his father, Frederick, to say that due to tax impositions, he was going to have to leave Slane and sell up – unless Lord Henry returned home. He wrote in his autobiography: 'I was an Anglo-Irish anachronism tolerated in a modern Ireland...I was returning to an Ireland I loved, but still a country bedevilled by division and much hypocrisy.' He and his first wife, American Juliet Kitson, mother of his three eldest children, divorced in 1985. Lord Henry's funeral arrangements will remain private as the family try to 'navigate this time of loss'. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .

RTÉ News​

4 hours ago

• RTÉ News​

Slane Castle open for public tributes to Lord Henry Mount Charles

The family of Lord Henry Mount Charles will open the gates of Slane Castle this weekend, inviting members of the public to pay their respects and sign a Book of Condolence in honour of the late music promoter and custodian of one of Ireland's most iconic venues. Lord Henry, who died on Tuesday aged 74 after a long illness, was widely credited with transforming Slane Castle into a globally recognised live music destination. His son, Alex, the Marquess Conyngham, said in a statement that the family had been "profoundly moved" by the public response to his passing. "We have been truly touched by the strength of public sentiment and are deeply grateful for the countless expressions of sympathy and shared memories," he said. "Dad's warmth, spirit and dedication to Slane, its people and its legacy forged friendships that extended incredibly far and wide." The Book of Condolence will be available to sign on the grounds of Slane Castle this Saturday and Sunday, 21 and 22 June, between 10am and 6pm. "This will be an opportunity for all those who knew Henry, enjoyed the magic of Slane, or simply wish to express their sympathies to come together in his memory at the place he loved so deeply," the family said in a statement. They also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and requested privacy as they grieve. Tributes have continued to pour in for Lord Henry, who was instrumental in bringing some of the world's biggest acts to Ireland over the past four decades. Artists including U2, Queen, Madonna and The Rolling Stones have all played Slane Castle under his stewardship. Concert promoter Denis Desmond of MCD described him as a true "rock 'n' roll icon" and a "visionary with an enormous sense of fun and a tremendous work ethic". "Henry had an enormous impact on the acts who played at Slane," Desmond said. "World-class performers would talk about him long after the final note sounded. He wanted everyone to have a great time, stay safe, and come again." Desmond recalled Lord Henry's hands-on approach, often working through the night and staying closely connected to the live music industry even during his later years in hospital. "His laugh was infectious," he added. "He had a sense of humour that often shone brightest in darker moments. Truly, we will not see his likes again."

Irish Times

4 hours ago

• Irish Times

Lions diary: A relaxed Johnny Sexton, Dostoevsky and questions of identity

Monday Johnny Sexton's a crowd puller. Upstairs in the University Club in UCD, the phalanx of cameras and mics are tested and checked and when he walks in, the room instinctively leans forward. Outside, students sit around on the grass eating braised sesame tofu and ramen, taking the cool air from the Main Lake at O'Reilly Hall, unaware that Lions coach Sexton, in his official Lions lounge attire, is kicking off the tour. Scotland lock Scott Cummings is also here along with Ben Earl, the England backrow. Earl is into Fyodor Dostoevsky, a colleague whispers. A frenzied search on Google for Earl and Rugby and USSR suggests it might be true. Mum: industrial retail CEO. Dad: solicitor. Education: Comparative literature Queen Mary University. It leaves out – Profession: human wrecking ball. READ MORE Sexton, the coach, smiles a little more and appears less tense than Sexton the player, and especially Sexton the captain. He says rugby suits him more than Sexton the businessman. He is here, he says, because Andy Farrell asked him. For the former Irish outhalf and captain, he's happy that tracksuits and mentoring have replaced Ardagh's bottle and can mountain. Assistant coach Jonathan Sexton with head coach Andy Farrell. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho 'It's hard to contribute because you're sitting in a room with people that have 20 years, 30 years' experience in the industry. Whereas that's me now – I've had 20 years' experience [in rugby],' he says. Nobody dares ask Earl about Dostoevsky, terrified he might talk about morality, freedom, faith, and the human condition through the lens of existentialism. Tuesday Which one is Felipe Contepomi, a young girl asks no one in particular. The sun is blazing down on the balcony at Old Belvedere and the Argentinian players look iridescent perspiring in the heat haze. At their base in the Radisson Hotel, they climbed out of the plunge pools set up in the garden and ambled in their budgie smugglers back into the hotel. Go Los Pumas! Today though, the blue sky and warmth spark off a brief personal reminiscence of glorious Nice and the last Rugby World Cup. Three weeks of belly up in the Med, occasionally drifting out to sea from La Promenade des Anglais, watching orange EasyJets low in the sky, wheels down coming into land. There is a drone or two in the air at Belvo, one of them peering directly down on a scrum on the far pitch. An answer comes back to the girl. Felipe's the one in the peaked cap. Small groups of people sprawled around the side of the pitch have turned up to watch. Inside, the former Irish Lion Ollie Campbell is the image you cannot fail to see turning from the bar to walk down the stairs. An eight-year Irish career but just 22 caps. Two Lions Tours, the first in 1980 to South Africa and in 1983 again to New Zealand. Seven Lions caps there. Former Ireland player Ollie Campbell. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho This is, after all, Ollie Campbell Park and the picture is of Campbell in that famous kicking pose. Are there any other images of him not of the follow through after the kick, the boot of his straight right leg at shoulder height and the long striations of muscle and tendon. The drones come in to land as the players stream off the pitch. Felipe, now 47 years old, picks up his little boy and grabs a ball. It is 20 years since he was top scorer with Leinster in both the 2005–06 Celtic League and the Heineken Cup. It is seven years since he was appointed as the new backs coach for Leinster, succeeding Girvan Dempsey, who moved to Bath. A colleague points towards the entrance to the grounds at a house which backs on to the club car park. Matt Doyle used to live there, he says of the likable Irish American tennis player who sadly died less than five months ago. There's history in these grounds. The takeaway is some Matt, but more Felipe kicking ball with a little boy in the warm summer wind. Wednesday Team announcement day in Aviva Stadium. Andy Farrell and Maro Itoje walk in through the door to the media auditorium, the Lions coach in blue, the team captain in red. Farrell holds a fixed semi-smile that gives the Rugby League Man of Steel an amiable, big softie head. The Lion's secondrow, Itoje, looks like a mature student who could be finishing his PhD. Note to self: How looks can deceive. The pair sit at the top table. 32 journalists, 10 cameras, nine microphones. Itoje sits on Farrell's right. The table is covered in Lions livery with large lettering of the tour message. There is always a tour message, an aspiration. 'WE GO BEYOND.' Maro Itoje and head coach Andy Farrell. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho 'It's the best of the best,' says Tommy Freeman of the squad during his interview. 'It's the best of the best,' says Tadhg Beirne when he arrives. 'We want to be the best version of ourselves,' says Farrell at the top table. 'We want to be the best version of ourselves,' says Beirne. Off-pitch the Lions are on message. That or they have been listening to double Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington from last year's Olympic Games. 'Everyone wants a gold medal, but I just want to be the best version of me,' said Kellie. Up in troubled Ballymena, the Lions team news may have been triggering for former captain Willie John McBride, who travelled on five Tours during the 1960s and 1970s and was 'bothered' by the non-native players Farrell selected in his squad. Bundee Aki, the only Irish back to play Argentina was born in New Zealand. Tighthead Prop Finlay Bealham and replacement winger Mack Hansen were both born in Australia. Scotland prop Pierre Schoeman and Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe were born in South Africa. Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu is Australian-born while England fullback Marcus Smith was born in the Philippines. James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park, the list goes on. The 1974 Lions trip had 'one in, all in' on the call of '99″ from captain Willie John resulting in the battle of Boet Erasmus Stadium. It is now 2025 and Willie John has been metaphorically 99ed for his views. Note to self: what goes around comes around. T h ursday Burgundy Thursday. The Aviva pitch is laid out perfectly like a Michelin star restaurant table. At the bottom of the stepladders by the pitch side hoarding sit four rugby balls on a large white towel. On top of each ball four smaller white folded towels have been carefully placed. All sit beside a stack of yellow bibs and more rugby balls organised in a row. Early signs of OCD at the first Lions captain's run to take place on a Dublin surface. Burgundy tackle bags bearing the Lions logo of the four unions are gathered up by Simon Easterby and taken to the goal area. Former England scrumhalf Richard Wigglesworth and Andrew Goodman (Beasterby, Wig and Goody) space them for the players' arrival. A terribly desolate place, this stadium when devoid of bodies. The echoes tell you nobody is here, an empty cathedral. But there is something about Aviva's size from the pitch that compels you to stand and aimlessly gaze up to the terraced seating. That is existential. BIL the mascot. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Then the players break out of the tunnel for 'The Captain's Run', a quaint exercise where accredited journalists stand at the side of the pitch for 15 minutes watching unusual things take place like Garry Ringrose deliberately throwing a pass to Tom Curry, or Henry Pollock breaking from the group with a four-foot cuddly lion called BIL (British and Irish Lion) and chucking him on a table at the side of the pitch. The England flanker is the youngest and responsible for BIL's safekeeping. 'This is basically your new girlfriend,' captain Itoje told Pollock. Just what a 20-year-old wants to hear. Itoje knows. He was BIL's former boyfriend as the youngest player on the 2017 tour. On the pitch injury-hit Irish prop Tadhg Furlong is doing his twisting runs from under the posts. Lovely hurling. James Ryan appears to be sitting it out and no sign of Jamison Gibson-Park. The vibe is upbeat, something like 'WE GO BEYOND'. All that's missing is Joe Schmidt's ghost rising from the West Stand.