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Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
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. [ Henry Mount Charles: A Lord in Slane – The strange blend of fact and fiction around one of the last Anglo-Irish eccentrics Opens in new window ] 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. [ Foo Fighters, Oasis, U2, the Rolling Stones and more: Slane's 15 greatest acts – in reverse order Opens in new window ] 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
Extra.ie
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Lord Henry Mount Charles: The reluctant earl who made ancestral home a rock 'n' roll touchstone
He might have been known as the rock 'n' roll aristocrat, but Lord Henry Mount Charles never held any airs or graces. Despite being a marquess and the owner of Slane Castle, Henry was a familiar face around the village and well-loved by those who attended his many concerts. At gig time, as 80,000 people flocked to the stately home, it was not unusual to see Henry in his panama hat and trademark single red sock mingling with the crowds. Lord Henry Mount Charles. Pic: As his family announced his death on Wednesday night after a 'long and valiant battle' with lung cancer, tributes from huge names in rock 'n' roll who had graced the stage of Slane Castle came pouring in. And it is no wonder, as Henry Vivien Pierpont Conyngham changed the face of music in Ireland and made us a country who could compete on the world stage, bringing some of the biggest names in music to Ireland, a place that many outside it had previously associated with bombings and religion. Born on May 23, 1951, in Dublin's Rotunda Hospital, Henry was the oldest son of Fredrick Coyningham, the 7th Marquess Coyningham and Eileen Wren Newsam. Lord Henry Mount Charles. Pic: RTÉ The Coyninghams were Anglo-Irish aristocrats descended from Ulster Scots heritage and Frederick was a peer. As such, Henry and his two younger brothers Patrick and Simon lived what he described as an 'upstairs, downstairs' existence, similar to many aristocratic families – the first time he dined with his parents was at the age of 12. He was then sent to Harrow public school in London before heading to university in Harvard. But the breakup of his parents' marriage had a big impact on Henry and his younger brothers, and Henry had to step up to be the lord of the manor. 'As far as I was concerned, my father was deserting his responsibilities,' he said in an RTÉ documentary. 'My mother continued to live at the castle and things sort of went on like it was before, although everything was different. I was expected at a very early age to replace my father and it felt bizarre.' Lord Henry Mountcharles with his wife Iona and daughter Tamara at Oxegen music festival in punchestown, Kildare. Pic: Arthur Carron/Collins Harvard gave Henry a huge amount of freedom. He was a child of the Sixties, he loved music and the wilder side of life. 'I will put my hand up and say I misbehaved in my first year at Harvard,' he said. 'I smoked a lot of dope and did what liberated students did in those days and I enjoyed myself.' He met his first wife, American Juliet Ann Kitson, and the pair moved to London where they had their first child Alex. Henry was working in publishing for Faber and Faber when, at the age of just 25, his father forced him to make a tough decision. Lord Henry Mount Charles. Pic: Courtesy of Slane Castle A new wealth tax being brought in by the Irish State meant Frederick was being faced with a huge bill and though rich in assets, he didn't have a huge income. The castle could either be taken over by Henry or sold. 'I really felt I had no choice,' Henry said recently. 'Even though it was, as it were, my heritage what I was born to deal with it was quite daunting.' The farm that was on the castle site was no longer viable as the family couldn't pay the wages to sustain it. Lord Henry Mount Charles. Pic: Arthur Carron/Collins Photos But Henry had a few other ideas. His parents had previously leased the castle to Hollywood to film the Rock Hudson classic Captain Lightfoot, even making a cameo appearance themselves, and this was something Henry decided to reinvigorate to gain some cash for the castle coffers. He also opened the castle up to visitors, entertaining film stars who needed privacy behind the castle walls whilst filming for movies and the occasional TV series took place in the grounds. But it was Henry's love of music that created the castle's biggest earner. First of all he opened a nightclub but then had the idea to stage a concert at Slane, something that changed everything for the castle's fortunes and for the Irish music scene. 'I decided Slane was a natural for open air rock 'n' roll the key to it was finding someone I could work with,' he said of the castle's now-famed natural amphitheatre. That 'someone' came in the form of Belfast promoter Eamonn McCann and Dublin's Denis Desmond of MCD. Thin Lizzy became the first act to play Slane in 1981, supported by a lesser-known band called U2, but though 18,000 people turned up, the show was not without its risks. Across the border in the North, the Troubles were raging and tensions were high in Meath. Lord Henry, due to his title, became a focus for the ire of some sections of republicanism. 'It was very dark,' Henry said of the time. 'There were riots in Dublin, there was a situation in front of the British Embassy.' 'I come from a complex background – I got some very unpleasant mail and I got threatening phone calls in the middle of the night. 'But I'm a child of the Sixties, I grew up on The Kinks, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and my anthem was things like We Gotta Get Out of This Place.' Former Spice Girls singer Mel C with Lord Henry Mount Charles at Slane Castle. Pic: EamonnFarrell/ It made Henry more determined to go ahead with his plan and by the time Thin Lizzy struck their first chord, 18,000 people witnessed Slane becoming Ireland's premier rock 'n' roll venue. This cemented Henry's friendship with U2 who also recorded their hit album The Unforgettable Fire at the castle. It was a terrible irony, then, that Slane would later fall victim to a terrible fire that gutted parts of the castle. It took ten years to restore the seat to its former glory and the concerts organised by Mountcharles and various promoters paid for the refurbishment. There were turbulent concerts too – after Bob Dylan's show in the 1980s, thugs vandalised the village, causing havoc. In 1995 two concert goers died trying to swim across the River Boyne to sneak into the gig by REM and Oasis. But for the most part, the concerts put Slane – and Henry – on the map, including the Bruce Springsteen gig in 1985 – the first date on his Born in the USA tour. While his first marriage to Juliet ended in divorce in 1982, the couple had three children Alex, Henrietta and Gerald. Lord Henry Mount Charles. Pic: RTÉ He met his second wife, Iona, daughter of the 6th Earl of Verluam, on a champagne-tasting trip and they were married in 1986 and their child Tamara was born in 1991. In person, Henry was erudite and entertaining, intelligent and fun with an unassuming air about him. As an Anglo-Irish peer he was styled Viscount Slane until 1974 and then Earl of Mountcharles from 1974 until 2009 when, on the death of his father, he became The Most Hon Henry Vivien Pierpont Conyngham, 8th Marquess Conyngham. The Marquesses Conyngham held the right to sit in the British House of Lords, until 1999. He was never really a 'lord' but didn't like being called an earl, so the rock 'n' roll Lord would do. But politics and justice were also very important to him throughout his life, particularly the politics of Ireland. He unsuccessfully contested the Louth constituency for Fine Gael at the 1992 general election. He was also unsuccessful in his bid for a Seanad seat in 1997. But his interest in the subjects never waned and for many years he wrote a popular column on the subject for the Irish Daily Mirror. Lord Henry Mountcharles with Oasis band members Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer at Slane Castle. Pic: Arthur Carron/Collins Photos After a diagnosis of lung cancer in 2014, his health suffered, but Henry's entrepreneurial spirit didn't wane. He decided to open a distillery at Slane Castle with his eldest son Alex. The Slane Irish whiskey brand was sold to Brown-Forman, the company behind Jack Daniel's, which invested €50million and established a new distillery and visitor centre at the seat. He handed over the running of the castle to his eldest son Alex while he and Iona spent most of their time in Beauparc House, a smaller stately home in Navan which had been left to him by a relative. Though dogged by health problems due to his cancer in his later years, Henry very much approved of the decision to host the first series of The Traitors Ireland in Slane. It was something his son Alex said he was very pleased about as it was a return to the castle's previous life as a TV set. But sadly, one of Ireland's last aristocrats won't be around to see it screened when it airs this summer. And the country has lost a colourful character who changed the face of the entertainment business and brought some of the biggest names in the world to a tiny village in Co. Meath. 'My life has been a mixture of great good fortune and adversity,' he once said. 'I just try to see my life as a journey.'
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
From politics to concerts to whiskey: Inside Lord Henry Mount Charles' life
Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mount Charles has passed away following a lengthy battle with cancer. News of Lord Henry's death broke on Thursday with his family confirming he had passed peacefully in the late hours of Wednesday, June 18 'following a long and valiant battle with cancer.' They added that the beloved husband, father, grandfather and custodian of Slane Castle inspired 'all who knew him' with his courage and unwavering spirit. Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mount Charles has passed away following a lengthy battle with cancer. Pic: Courtesy of Slane Castle But who exactly was the late Lord Henry? Henry Conyngham was the eldest son of the 7th Marquess Conyngham and his first wife, Eileen Wren Newsom, obtaining the courtesy title of the Earl of Mount Charles in 1974. As a youngster, Henry attended Harrow School in London before studying at Harvard University. Following the death of his father in 2009, Henry succeeded him as the 8th Marquess Conyngham, but was still more often than not referred to by his former title. Lord Henry Mount Charles. Pic: RTÉ Lord Henry married twice — he married Juliet Kitson in 1971, and the pair went on to have three children together before their divorce in 1985. Lord Henry and Juliet's children are Alexander, Henrietta and Lord Gerald. The same year he divorced Juliet, he went on to marry Lady Iona Charlotte Grimston. The pair welcomed the arrival of their only daughter Tamara in 1991. Alex Mount Charles at Slane Castle. Pic: Sean Dwyer The late Lord Henry also has three doting grandchildren through his son Alexander and his wife Carina Bolton. The pair are parents to Lady Laragh, Rory Nicholas and The Honourable Caspar. In 2023, Lord Henry defied ongoing health issues as he walked his youngest daughter, Lady Tamara Conynham, down the aisle as she wed her long-term partner, Cian Speers. The nuptials took place on the grounds of the family's ancestral home, Slane Castle. The crowd at Slane Castle to watch Rolling Stones in 2007. Pic: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland Slane Castle was built in the late 18th century, with the Conyngham family living on the grounds since, with Alex and his family now residing in the castle with his wife (Countess) Carina. In 1981, Lord Henry began bringing rock concerts to the sleepy village of Slane, Co Meath, with Thin Lizzy headlining the first event alongside a then 'up and coming' Irish band called U2. Since then the castle grounds, which features views across the River Boyne, have hosted the biggest names in the world including Bruce Springsteen in 1985; Robbie Williams; Metallica and most recently Harry Styles. In 2015, the family ventured into the alcohol business and opened their own whiskey distillery on the grounds of Slane Castle. As well as being a businessman, Lord Mount Charles tried his hand at politics as well, entering the 1992 general election in the Louth constituency as one of the Fine Gael tickets. Unfortunately his bid was unsuccessful, but he didn't allow it to deter him. In 1997, Lord Henry ran as an Independent as he contested the elections to Seanad Éireann as part of the Dublin University constituency. Lord Henry withdrew his name from the contest for a nomination to run in the 2004 European elections. He was set to run for the East constituency and would have run for Fine Gael.
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Tributes paid to Slane Castle's Lord Henry Mount Charles, who has died aged 74
He died late on Wednesday after 'a long and valiant' battle with cancer, his family said. Since 1981, the flamboyant rock fan has hosted a series of open-air concerts at his ancestral home of Slane Castle in Co Meath. 'It is with profound sadness that the family of Lord Henry Mount Charles, the Marquess Conyngham, announce his peaceful passing in the late hours of June 18 following a long and valiant battle with cancer,' his family said in a statement. 'A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and custodian of Slane Castle, Lord Henry's courage and unwavering spirit inspired all who knew him.' The Slane estate, which acts as a huge natural amphitheatre due to its sloping lands, has played host to several top acts including The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, U2 and Madonna. The last Slane Festival was in June 2023, when Harry Styles performed for 80,000 fans. His family said Lord Henry Mount Charles had left 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. '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.' His family thanked the 'exceptional' staff at St James's Hospital and the many caregivers who treated him with 'compassion' over the last decade. They also said they were 'deeply moved' by the 'outpouring of public kindness' during his illness. The family have asked for privacy and said the funeral arrangements will be private. President Michael D Higgins has led tributes and expressed condolences to his wife Lady Iona, to his children Alexander, Henrietta, Wolfe and Tamara. '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,' Mr Higgins said. 'It wasn't just in relation to very well-known events that Henry was involved, he had a deep interest in promotion of music including new and young talent. 'I have been saddened over recent years to hear of his struggles with cancer, about which he spoken personally and helpfully of his experiences.' Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said he would be remembered for his 'unrivalled wit, his ability to light up a room, and his incredible sense of warmth and generosity'. 'For so many, Lord Henry will be remembered as the man who brought rock-and-roll to the iconic music venue that is Slane Castle. 'I want to pay tribute to him for the incredible contribution he made to arts, culture and of course his beloved county Meath. 'My deepest sympathies are today with his family and friends.'
Leader Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Tributes paid to Slane Castle's Lord Henry Mount Charles, who has died aged 74
He died late on Wednesday after 'a long and valiant' battle with cancer, his family said. Since 1981, the flamboyant rock fan has hosted a series of open-air concerts at his ancestral home of Slane Castle in Co Meath. 'It is with profound sadness that the family of Lord Henry Mount Charles, the Marquess Conyngham, announce his peaceful passing in the late hours of June 18 following a long and valiant battle with cancer,' his family said in a statement. 'A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and custodian of Slane Castle, Lord Henry's courage and unwavering spirit inspired all who knew him.' The Slane estate, which acts as a huge natural amphitheatre due to its sloping lands, has played host to several top acts including The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, U2 and Madonna. The last Slane Festival was in June 2023, when Harry Styles performed for 80,000 fans. His family said Lord Henry Mount Charles had left 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. '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.' His family thanked the 'exceptional' staff at St James's Hospital and the many caregivers who treated him with 'compassion' over the last decade. They also said they were 'deeply moved' by the 'outpouring of public kindness' during his illness. The family have asked for privacy and said the funeral arrangements will be private. President Michael D Higgins has led tributes and expressed condolences to his wife Lady Iona, to his children Alexander, Henrietta, Wolfe and Tamara. '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,' Mr Higgins said. 'It wasn't just in relation to very well-known events that Henry was involved, he had a deep interest in promotion of music including new and young talent. 'I have been saddened over recent years to hear of his struggles with cancer, about which he spoken personally and helpfully of his experiences.' Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said he would be remembered for his 'unrivalled wit, his ability to light up a room, and his incredible sense of warmth and generosity'. 'For so many, Lord Henry will be remembered as the man who brought rock-and-roll to the iconic music venue that is Slane Castle. 'I want to pay tribute to him for the incredible contribution he made to arts, culture and of course his beloved county Meath. 'My deepest sympathies are today with his family and friends.'
