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Dublin Live
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 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 .
Irish Times
11 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
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.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Lord Henry Mount Charles: a life in pictures
Lord Henry Mount Charles , owner of Slane Castle in Co Meath, has died at the age of 74, his family has announced. In a statement, the family said he died on Wednesday night. He had been suffering from cancer. He was best known for introducing a series of rock concerts to Slane Castle. Bands who played there include U2, the Rolling Stones, Queen, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Guns N' Roses, REM and Bruce Springsteen. Lord Henry Mount Charles and Lady Iona Mount Charles ahead of Simple Minds at Dublin's Croke Park in June, 1986. Photograph: Jim Walpole/Independent NewsLord Henry Mount Charles on the grounds of Slane Castle. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill In October 2012, Bon Jovi were announced as headliners of the following summer's Slane concert. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times Lord Henry Mount Charles poses with U2's Adam Clayton at the 2010 Meteor Ireland Music Awards. Photograph: Phillip Massey/WireImage Lord Henry Mount Charles (left), Donie Cassidy, Michael Keating TD at the Queen concert in Slane Castle, 1986. Photograph: Martin Nolan/Independent NewsLord Henry Mountcharles and his son Alex in the Slane Castle whiskey tasting room. Photograph: Ciara Wilkinson Noel Gallagher poses alongside Lord Henry Mount Charles as Oasis are confirmed to play at Slane in 2009. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh/The Irish Times Spice Girl Mel C and Lord Henry Mount Charles pose for photographers at Slane Castle Music Festival, August 26th, 2000. Photograph: Reuters Lord Henry Mount Charles with his William Brocas RHA oil on canvas purchased at Adam's auction of Country House Collections. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh/The Irish Times Lord Henry Mount Charles below a motorbike stunt rider to announce details of the Red Bull X-Fighters World Series. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times
Irish Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mount Charles dies following cancer battle
TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mount Charles at the age of 74. His family issued a statement today confirming his death, following a 'long and valiant battle with cancer'. '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 18th following a long and valiant battle with cancer,' they confirmed. Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mount Charles pictured in 2002 In a statement on the Slane Castle Facebook page, the organisation added: 'Today we remember and celebrate the remarkable life of Lord Henry Mount Charles — visionary, rock 'n' roll trailblazer, and the man who dreamed big for Slane Castle.' They issued a photo of Lord Henry with Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott which was taken at the very first Slane Concert, held in the in t he castle grounds in 1981. 'That day, a tradition was born, one that would bring the world's greatest artists to the Boyne Valley and turn Slane into a symbol of live music in Ireland,' they state. 'Lord Henry's passion, courage, and rebellious spirit shaped not just a place, but a legacy, they added. 'We honour him today with gratitude, pride, and music in our hearts." Lord Henry pictured with the Stereophonics in 2002 (Pic:Gareth Chaney/Photocall Ireland) President Michael D Higgins also paid tribute this morning. "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," he 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," he added. :I have been saddened over recent years to hear of his struggles with cancer, about which he spoken personally and helpfully of his experiences. "May I express my condolences to his wife, Lady Iona, to his children Alexander, Henrietta, Wolfe and Tamara, and to all of his family and friends.' Funeral details have yet to be confirmed. See More: Lord Henry Mount Charles, President Higgins, Slane Castle
