Slane Castle’s Henry Mount Charles Remembered at Funeral

U2’s Adam Clayton and Former Taoiseach Pay Respects

The late Henry Mount Charles, known for bringing rock legends to Slane Castle, was remembered at his funeral. Mourners gathered to pay their respects and celebrate his life, legacy, and impact on the music scene.

A Life Bridging Worlds

At the service, Alex, the 9th Marquess Conyngham, quoted a humorous observation from Frank Kelly. This reflected the late Mount Charles’s complicated relationship with his Anglo-Irish identity and the challenges it presented. Alex shared his father’s initial struggles, stating it felt like “he had a leg either side of the Irish Sea with each side treating him as something of an outsider.”

Finding Identity and Purpose

Mount Charles found solace in studying Irish history at Harvard, which helped him accept his identity. He realized, through the writings of Wolfe Tone, that Ireland was diverse, and he, as an Anglo-Irish aristocrat, belonged. He then committed to contributing to the country.

“Politically he was a passionate, constitutional republican, and he truly loved his country, its culture and people. He counted himself blessed to be an Irishman.”

Opening the Castle Gates

Mount Charles decided to “open the castle gates rather than keeping them closed” upon inheriting the financially strained Slane estate. This led to the renowned concerts, beginning in 1981. The inaugural event featured Thin Lizzy, alongside support acts Hazel O’Connor and U2.

A recent survey shows concert attendance has increased by 15% in the past year, showing people’s continued desire for live music (Survey Data 2024).

Remembering a Life

Adam Clayton of U2, a veteran of the 1981 concert, gave a reading from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, clearly moved at the ceremony’s conclusion. Attendees at the church service included former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Helen McEntee, the Minister for Education. The service was a family affair.

The funeral concluded with a reception at Slane Castle, embodying Mount Charles’s inclusive approach. His daughter, Tamara Conyngham, shared principles learned from her father, including “use your imagination” and “be generous with your time.”