Latest news with #LordHenry
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
The treks Irish concert-goers endure are almost always worth it
'You won't be able to ring Lord Henry anymore,' quipped a friend when the news of the death of the legendary Slane Castle proprietor broke. I've only ever called Henry Mount Charles once, about 15 years ago when Oasis were gearing up to headline in his back garden. I was in music journalism and he had graciously granted an interview and handed over his personal mobile number. He was a gentleman, in every sense of the word. Lord Henry is one of two celebrities whose number I have in my phonebook. The other is Louis Walsh , although I suspect he might have changed his since. Lord Henry's death ignited a lot of chat around the Slane concerts, but whenever Slane comes up, what people are really keen to talk about is getting there and particularly getting home. 'It took us eight hours to get back to Dublin after Metallica.' 'We had to walk five miles to the car after Harry Styles.' 'I'm still on the bus home from Oasis in 2009,' etc. The truth is, going to almost any large concert in Ireland is a serious test of endurance. Last weekend, the Phoenix Park hosted three concerts by American country star Zach Bryan . Reports that about 12 per cent of the tickets were purchased in Dublin meant that the fans would be travelling in from all around the country, and beyond. READ MORE Obviously, the hotel prices were in the stratosphere, but even anyone lucky enough to be lodging nearby would still be subjected to the great Phoenix Park concert trek – a good 45 minutes from the entrance of the park to a concert venue itself. Zach Bryan playing in Dublin's Phoenix Park. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times I didn't attend the Zach Bryan concerts, but I've done so, so many of these treks. As a punter who knows little of the logistical and safety arrangements for large events it's tempting to imagine concert and festival planners sitting around the gaping maw of Mordor devising ways to make people suffer. 'I know, I know, let's make them walk for four miles following signs for a blue car park, even though there is no blue car park.' 'Oh, you're terrible, I love it. How about having no parking and asking people to use public transport, but then cancelling all the public transport?' 'Or, or, let's put the campsite at the top of a hill so that they have to carry their stupid tents and little chairs all the way up. And obviously the car parks will be six miles away.' We do it, though, for the experience. I attended the Beyond the Pale festival a few weeks back. It's mercifully small, which means the treks are shorter, but there was still a moment as we wrestled up (it was obviously uphill) a slippery, muddy forest trail with air mattresses and six packs of Tayto when I hissed, 'This bit is always hell, but it will be worth it.' Eleven years ago this weekend, I attended an Arcade Fire concert at Marlay Park. Afterwards we walked the 8km back into Dublin city centre, rewarding ourselves on arrival to a slap-up, sit-down 2am meal at the wonderful Temple Bar Indian restaurant Shan. Unfortunately, I don't think Shan survived the pandemic, but the torturous journey to and from a concert at Marlay Park is still very much with us. I relived the experience this week, attending the Olivia Rodrigo show. We were bringing some preteens, so there was much investigating of extortionate private bus options and Google mapping of possible parking possibilities that might lie outside the road closures and resident-only restrictions. Because if there's anything concert organisers love, it's road closures and parking restrictions. [ Olivia Rodrigo at Marlay Park: Pop star surprises fans with Fontaines DC cover during a brilliantly energetic show Opens in new window ] I was a victim myself during the Zach Bryan concerts. Leaving a pal's house in Stoneybatter, I was met with no fewer than three different roadblocks while trying to drive home to Dublin 8. With each refusal I did a mental recalculation and headed for a different route, only to be rebuffed with no detour suggestion offered. When I finally found my way around the exclusion zone I was stuck in 40 minutes of traffic. All around me were frantic designated picker-uppers trying to find somewhere to pull in to wait for their Bryan fan to make the at least 60-minute hike to find them. And for every designated picker-upper there was a Garda roaring at them to 'move that veh-hickle'. All I could think about was the girls I'd seen earlier on Parkgate Street heading for the Phoenix Park entrance. They were already hobbling a little in their cowboy boots and obviously oblivious to the trek still ahead of them. I hope it was worth it. It always is. Almost always.
Powys County Times
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Family of Lord Henry Mount Charles say to ‘party on in his memory'
The loved ones of Slane Castle's Lord Henry Mount Charles will 'party on in his memory', his funeral service has been told. His funeral was held at St Patrick's Church of Ireland in Slane on Wednesday, 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, Lord Henry, 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 Slane Festival was in June 2023, when Harry Styles performed for 80,000 fans. His 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. '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 he 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, and 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 Lord Henry was blessed to enjoy the love of two remarkable women – his first wife Eileen and his second wife Iona, he thanked his father for trusting him with his legacy. He added: 'Dad's thanks and mines to all of you in Slane and online who have gathered here to say 'slan' to Henry.' The service featured readings by Lord Simon Conyngham and Wolfe Conyngham, as well as U2 member Adam Clayton. Lord Henry's 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 her guests, she added: '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 Lord Henry's friend Nick Koumarianos. Mr Koumarianos said he knew Lord Henry 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 said there was 'no silver spoon' for the aristocrat, saying the castle needed serious attention. Amid stories about Henry's 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 Lord Henry 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.
Glasgow Times
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Family of Lord Henry Mount Charles say to ‘party on in his memory'
His funeral was held at St Patrick's Church of Ireland in Slane on Wednesday, 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, Lord Henry, 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 Slane Festival was in June 2023, when Harry Styles performed for 80,000 fans. His 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. Lord Henry Mount Charles, owner of Slane Castle, at the media announcement of the Eminem and 50 Cent European tour (Hayden West/PA) 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. '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 he 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, and 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. Adam Clayton (right) arriving at St Patrick's Church of Ireland in Slane (Mark Marlow/PA) 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 Lord Henry was blessed to enjoy the love of two remarkable women – his first wife Eileen and his second wife Iona, he thanked his father for trusting him with his legacy. He added: 'Dad's thanks and mines to all of you in Slane and online who have gathered here to say 'slan' to Henry.' The service featured readings by Lord Simon Conyngham and Wolfe Conyngham, as well as U2 member Adam Clayton. Lord Henry's 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 her guests, she added: '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 Lord Henry's friend Nick Koumarianos. Mr Koumarianos said he knew Lord Henry 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 said there was 'no silver spoon' for the aristocrat, saying the castle needed serious attention. Amid stories about Henry's 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 Lord Henry 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.
Irish Independent
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Mourners at funeral of Slane Castle's Lord Henry Mount Charles told to ‘party on in his memory'
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.
Western Telegraph
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Family of Lord Henry Mount Charles say to ‘party on in his memory'
His funeral was held at St Patrick's Church of Ireland in Slane on Wednesday, 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, Lord Henry, 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 Slane Festival was in June 2023, when Harry Styles performed for 80,000 fans. His 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. Lord Henry Mount Charles, owner of Slane Castle, at the media announcement of the Eminem and 50 Cent European tour (Hayden West/PA) 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. '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 he 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, and 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. Adam Clayton (right) arriving at St Patrick's Church of Ireland in Slane (Mark Marlow/PA) 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 Lord Henry was blessed to enjoy the love of two remarkable women – his first wife Eileen and his second wife Iona, he thanked his father for trusting him with his legacy. He added: 'Dad's thanks and mines to all of you in Slane and online who have gathered here to say 'slan' to Henry.' The service featured readings by Lord Simon Conyngham and Wolfe Conyngham, as well as U2 member Adam Clayton. Lord Henry's 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 added: '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 Lord Henry's friend Nick Koumarianos. Mr Koumarianos said he knew Lord Henry 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 said there was 'no silver spoon' for the aristocrat, saying the castle needed serious attention. Amid stories about Henry's 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 Lord Henry 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.
