**Family Vows to Celebrate Lord Henry Mount Charles’s Life as He is Laid to Rest**
The mourners gathered at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland in Slane on Wednesday to bid farewell to Lord Henry Mount Charles, the much-loved custodian of Slane Castle, who passed away aged 74 following a lengthy battle with cancer. Relatives, friends, and admirers came together to honour a man whose influence on Irish cultural life extended far beyond the imposing walls of his family estate.
The service was deeply personal, filled with tributes that painted a picture of a complex, spirited individual. In a moving eulogy, Lord Henry’s son, Alex Conyngham, spoke candidly about his father’s journey with identity and belonging. Although the aristocrat initially grappled with his Anglo-Irish heritage, it was during his time studying Irish history at Harvard that Lord Henry found his place in the narrative of Ireland, coming to see himself as part of one of the “many streams” shaping the nation.
Throughout his life, Lord Henry displayed a passion for connecting people, both through politics and music. His vision for Slane Castle as a venue for grand-scale concerts saw the estate transformed into a natural amphitheatre, drawing giants of the music world such as The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, U2, Madonna, Queen, and more recently Harry Styles. These legendary performances at Slane Castle not only revitalised the estate during tough financial times—particularly after a destructive fire in 1991—but also cemented the castle’s role in the pantheon of great music venues.
Alex Conyngham noted that his father’s unique position was both a privilege and a challenge, often jokingly described by comedian Frank Kelly as “being born with a silver dagger in his back”. The younger Conyngham reflected on how Lord Henry was supported by a remarkable group of people throughout his life—individuals who stood by him through both celebrations and crises. Despite facing hostility and even graffiti attacks over his background, Lord Henry drew strength and resolve from adversity, viewing these as sparks that deepened his commitment to both his home and the wider Irish community.
The funeral service was not devoid of lighter moments. Guests chuckled as Alex recounted his father’s advice on business matters: “Always do your accounts in pencil – and don’t press too hard.” These reminders of Lord Henry’s wit and practical approach to life provided comfort amid the recalled hardships.
Tributes extended beyond family. Musicians and public figures who knew Lord Henry also took part in the ceremony. U2’s bassist, Adam Clayton, read a passage, reinforcing the bond forged between the Mount Charles family and the many artists who have played at Slane. Lord Henry’s daughter, Tamara, remembered him as a fighter, both in the face of his illness and in everyday life. She summed up his philosophy with the simple words: “Never give up, ever.” She added with a smile that her father would always insist on seeing a party through to the end—a legacy, she said, his loved ones intend to honour by “partying on in his memory”.
Close friend Nick Koumarianos provided one of the day’s most colourful reflections. Describing Lord Henry as “a hell of a cool dude”, Koumarianos highlighted both the glamour and the toil involved in maintaining Slane Castle, noting there had been “no silver spoon”. Lord Henry, he said, was energised by setbacks and faced chaos—from rebuilding after the fire to launching Slane whiskey and handling clashing personalities at concerts—with characteristic gusto.
The ceremony concluded on an appropriately musical note, as Lord Henry’s coffin was carried from the church to the sounds of U2’s “Bad”—a fitting farewell to a man who brought music and crowds together in the heart of Meath.
Lord Henry Mount Charles will be remembered not just as a peer or a promoter, but as someone who believed passionately in the power of shared experience—whether through music, dialogue, or community. His was a life dedicated to breaking down barriers and opening doors, and those closest to him have pledged that the festivities he set in motion at Slane will continue in his memory.