Mourners at funeral of Slane Castle's Lord Henry Mount Charles told to ‘party on in his memory'

Irish Independent

a day ago

His funeral was held at St Patrick's Church of Ireland in Slane today, following his death at the age of 74 last week after a long battle with cancer.
During the service, Alex Conyngham said his father 'truly loved' Ireland despite initially struggling with his Anglo-Irish identity.
Since 1981, Mount Charles, a rock fan, hosted a series of open-air concerts at his ancestral home of Slane Castle in Co Meath.
The Slane estate, which acts as a 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 festival was in June 2023, when Harry Styles performed for 80,000 fans.
Mount Charles' son, the ninth Marquess Conyngham, recalled a joke by Frank Kelly that described his father being 'born with a silver dagger in his back' with his unconventional but privileged position at Slane Castle.
He said his father was 'immensely lucky' to have had a 'colourful string of people' working on the estate for which he was grateful as they 'rolled through the good times and the occasional dark days', including when the castle was significantly damaged by a fire in 1991.
Alex Conyngham said: 'Dad initially struggled with his Anglo-Irish identity, and described it as feeling like he had a leg either side of the Irish Sea with each side treating him as something of an outsider.
He counted himself blessed to be an Irishman
'It was when he went to Harvard and immersed himself in the study of Irish history that that fog of uncertainty lifted.'
He said it was there that his father realised that, as an Anglo-Irish aristocrat, he belonged to one of the 'many streams' that fed Ireland and could make positive contributions towards the country.
'Politically, he was a passionate constitutional republican, and he truly loved this country, its culture and people – he counted himself blessed to be an Irishman.'
However, he noted that not everyone agreed with this perspective and the castle walls had previously been defaced with aggressive, negative graffiti.
'But this only emboldened dad to strive all the harder.'
Alex Conyngham said his father had a great commitment towards peace, and it also came to him that he had to open up the castle gates while being 'driven by a conviction that music is a universal language that brings people together.'
The first 'real breakthrough' came with a Thin Lizzy concert in 1981, with U2 and Hazel O'Connor also on the bill.
At a time of financial difficulty, he said Slane Castle was 'saved by rock and roll'.
Alex Conyngham also paid tribute to Lord Henry's interest in politics, saying his father 'loved to connect'.
Although his political ambitions were unrealised, he found other ways to express his opinions – including the 'Lord Henry' column in the Irish Mirror.
After saying his father was blessed to enjoy the love of two remarkable women – his first wife Eileen and his second wife Iona – he thanked him for trusting him with his legacy.
Dad proved what can be achieved when you truly put your mind to it
'Dad's thanks and mines to all of you in Slane and online who have gathered here to say 'slán' to Henry,' Mr Conyngham said.
The service featured readings by Lord Simon Conyngham and Wolfe Conyngham, as well as U2's Adam Clayton. As well as performing at the venue, the band also used the castle to record their 1984 album, The Unforgettable Fire.
Mount Charles' daughter Tamara read a tribute called 'lessons from my dad', which included: 'Never give up, ever.'
She said: 'Dad was one of the most determined people that I know and he proved what can be achieved when you truly put your mind to it.'
Also recalling an anecdote about being admonished for going to bed 'before the last of our guests', she said: 'He fought for so long because he didn't want to leave the party – and all we can do now is party on in his memory.'
The final tribute during the service came from Mount Charles' friend, Nick Koumarianos.
Mr Koumarianos said he knew Mount Charles as a 'hell of a cool dude', adding: 'He was tall, he was handsome, he was titled and, by the way, he knew it.'
However, he added there was 'no silver spoon' for the aristocrat, saying the castle needed serious attention.
Amid stories about Mount Charles' business abilities and 'sense of mischief', he said his friend had 'put Ireland on the map' for generations of pop music fans around the world.
In a remark met with widespread laughter, he added: 'He had real commercial skills, although on one occasion I do remember him saying: 'Always do your accounts in pencil – and don't press too hard'.'
Mr Koumarianos said Mount Charles was a glutton for punishment who seemed to be refreshed by adversity, including clashing egos at concerts, the fire at the castle and its reconstruction, success of Slane whiskey and then his final illness.
He said Lord Henry was 'always relished the challenge, adding that he was a 'mighty man' who bore his illness with 'remarkable courage'.
Following the service, his coffin was carried out of the church while Bad by U2 played.