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.
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