Funeral of Lord Henry Mount Charles takes place in Slane

The funeral of Henry Conyngham, The 8th Marquess Conyngham who was more informally known as Lord Henry Mount Charles, took place this in Slane on Wednesday afternoon.

Funeral of Lord Henry Mount Charles on June 25, 2025. Photo: Abigail Ring.

Lord Henry was the driving force behind the Slane Castle series of gigs, which started in August 1981 with a Thin Lizzy headliner that also had U2, Hazel O’Connor, Rose Tattoo, Sweet Savage, The Bureau and Megahype on the undercard.

An enormous success, it paved the way for more major Slane gigs featuring the superstar likes of The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Queen, Bob Dylan, Robbie Williams, David Bowie, U2, Eminem, Bruce Springsteen, Kings Of Leon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis, REM, Metallica and 2024's headliner, Harry Styles.

In addition to traditional hymns, the organist was playing songs from Slane artists such as Bob Dylan's 'Hey Mr. Tambourine Man' and the Rolling Stones' 'Paint It Black'.

Along with his wife Iona and other members of the Conyngham family, mourners included Joe Lennon representing the Taoiseach, Michéal Martin; Minister for Education Helen McEntee; Leo Varadkar; Adam Clayton who did one of the readings; Carolyn Fisher; Hot Press editor Niall Stokes; Liam Teeling; Stephen Fitzgerald from Golden Discs; and MCD’s Denis Desmond, Zach Desmond and Kim O’Callaghan.

Many families from the local community also gathered outside the entrance of St. Patrick's Church to watch the procession. Mayo Uilleann piper Eamonn Walsh was also seen playing just outside the entrance throughout the ceremony.

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar attending the funeral of Lord Henry Mount Charles on June 25, 2025. Photo: Abigail Ring.

Mount Charles' son and The 9th Marquess Coyngham, Alex Coyngham, spoke about the legacy of the gigs which took place at Slane down the years.

"[My father] came to realise that he need to find ways to open the castle gates rather than keep them closed," he said.

"The real breakthrough came in 1981, with that first concert, when Eamon McCann, Denis Desmond and dad banded together and flew, by the seat of their pants, to put on Thin Lizzy in the back garden, with U2 and Hazel O’Connor in support.

"It was a trailblazing moment for all of them, in the midst of palpable political tension, and it was driven by a conviction that music was the universal language that brings people together. And that’s exactly what happened that day in the field at Slane. People came from all four quarters of the island and there was no trouble. Just the music.

"That day, the Slane Castle Estate was also saved by rock and roll. Things were on a financial knife edge, and thankfully the legacy of the concerts has to protect and sustain it ever since, and long may it continue to do so."

Funeral of Lord Henry Mount Charles on June 25, 2025. Photo: Abigail Ring.

Conyngham thanked the local community in Slane for their support, particularly in the aftermath of the unrest and rioting which surrounded Bob Dylan's 1984 gig.

"None of the gigs ever could have happened without the support of the people of Slane," he said. "And I know that dad, quite rightly, would have wanted me to thank them fondly for all they did for him, the state and the concerts over the years.

"Even after the challenging circumstances of Bob Dylan in 1984, the community rolled in behind them to bring them back, to bring Bruce Springsteen to Slane in '85. There were locals proudly in the village wearing their 'Slane '84 Survivor' t-shirts.

"I was lucky enough to be with dad at the bottom of the ramp as Bruce walked on to the stage. The roar of the crowd was so loud it created a tide of sound that made the hoardings next to us shake. I’ll never forget the thrill I saw on Dad’s face in that moment. He often described the slane live music experience as a something of a spiritual one. And for many, it remains a right of passage. Something expressed clearly in the innumerable messages shared in the recent days."

David Keenan also performed 'The Parting Glass' at the funeral service.

Donations, if desired, can be made to the St. James's Hospital Foundation at: https://supportstjames.ie

Eamonn Walsh at the funeral of Lord Henry Mount Charles on June 25, 2025. Photo: Abigail Ring.