MCD's Denis Desmond pays tribute to "rock 'n' roll icon" Lord Henry Mountcharles

MCD founder Denis Desmond has paid tribute to Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mountcharles.

Mountcharles died on Wednesday night after a years-long battle with lung cancer. He was 74 years old.

For nearly 44 years, Henry Mountcharles oversaw numerous iconic concerts on the grounds of Slane Castle, which he owned. Since 1981, Slane Castle has remained one of Ireland's most beloved venues, showcasing historic concerts by The Rolling Stones, Thin Lizzy, Queen, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, U2, David Bowie, Oasis and more.

U2 perform Slane Castle, 2001

"He was a visionary with an enormous sense of fun and a tremendous work ethic," Desmond wrote in his tribute. "Onsite morning, noon and night, he was across so many details and always the last man standing when the lights went out and the show was over".

"Henry had an enormous impact on the acts who played at Slane," the MCD co-founder continued. "Long after the final note sounded, world-class performers would talk about him and the spectacular home he opened out to music lovers. Hundreds of thousands of fans from Ireland and abroad made lifelong memories at shows in Slane over the decades and so much of the credit for that is due to Henry and his hospitality. He wanted everyone to have a great time, stay safe and come again.

"He had a brilliant manner and style – almost always getting his way but also always treating people with respect. His laugh was infectious and he had a sense of humour that was often at its best in darker moments when the laughs were harder to come by but more important than ever".

Read Denis Desmond's full statement on the death of Lord Henry Mountcharles below:  

Courtesy of MCD productions