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Aristocrat behind world famous Slane Castle concerts dies

PA A man wearing a black pinstriped suit, yellow tie and blue and shite striped shirt is sitting with his arms outstretched. Behind him, down a hill, a stage is in the beginning stages of construction in front of a large grassy area, with trees behind it. It is an overcast day. PA
Lord Henry Mount Charles, pictured at Slane Castle ahead of a concert in 2004, died at the age of 74

Lord Mount Charles, the man who hosted world famous music acts such as Queen and Bruce Springsteen at his Slane Castle home, has died aged 74.

Lord Mount Charles, who was custodian of the Irish castle in County Meath, died on Wednesday, after a "battle with cancer", his family said.

His idea to bring the globe's biggest stars to play huge gigs at the castle made Slane a byword for era-defining rock concerts.

They have been held periodically since 1981 and attracted the likes of U2, Bob Dylan and, most recently, Harry Styles.

Getty Images Black and white image of David Bowie singing on stage, he has long light hair , holding a microphone and wearing a jacket and shirt. Getty Images
Getty Images Black and white photo of Lord Mount Charles with his wife Lady Mount Charles. Lord Mount Charles is wearing a neck brace and a shirt and jacket. He has medium length dark hair and beard. Lady Mount Charles has long brown hair and is wearing a shirt with a thin scarf. They are standing outside smiling at the camera. Getty Images
David Bowie performing at Slane Castle in 1987
Lord Mount Charles with Lady Mount Charles, pictured surveying the scene as the Simple Minds concert crew set up their gear in 1986

In a statement, his family said he 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," they said, adding he would be "profoundly missed, but never forgotten," they said.

RTÉ Lord Mount Charles wearing a blue blazer and shirt, he is also wearing a tan hat. He has grey hair. Behind him is a castleRTÉ
Lord Mount Charles' family said he had transformed Slane Castle into a "beacon of culture, music and community"

In 1992, he ran stood for election to the Dáil (lower house of Irish parliament) for Fine Gael, polling fifth in the four-seat Louth constituency.

Lord Mount Charles, the eighth marquess Conyngham, got an Industry Award at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards in 2010.

Slane: From The Rolling Stones to the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Getty Images Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, performing at Slane Castle. 5/7/86 Photographer Martin Nolan. (Part of the Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI Collection). (Photo by Independent News And Media/Getty Images)Getty Images
The late Freddie Mercury in 1986 at Slane Castle

Lord Mount Charles became a household name in Ireland in the 1980s as some of the world's biggest music stars took to the stage at Slane Castle.

Thin Lizzy headlined the inaugural concert in the summer of 1981.

The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Queen, Bob Dylan, Robbie Williams, David Bowie, U2, Eminem, Bruce Springsteen, Kings Of Leon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis, REM and Metallica are just some of the world-renowned acts that have also headlined the venue.

Getty Images Liam Gallagher in a black and white photograph, he is singing into a microphone.Getty Images
Oasis played at the castle in 1995

After a four-year hiatus, music returned to the castle when Harry Styles headlined there in 2023.

Some 80,000 fans turned up to see the former One Direction singer and Lord Mount Charles was there to oversee the return of gigs to his castle.

Contribution to music was 'quite unique'

Irish President Michael D Higgins said he was saddened to hear of Lord Mount Charles' death.

Higgins said Lord Mount Charles' 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".

"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 said.