Still Rocking... TV documentary charts the life of the enigmatic Lord henry Mountcharles
Securing his castle financially and upholding an ancient lineage dating back centuries has been the life’s work of Lord Henry Mountcharles.
Having inherited a bankrupt estate, he went on to create a music venue that would change the world of Irish entertainment forever - to say nothing of entertaining millions to all of the greatest rock musicians on the planet.
The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Queen, Robbie Williams, David Bowie, U2, Eminem, Oasis, REM, Metallica - the list goes on and on. But a life devoted to keeping Slane Castle intact and thriving has come at a serious personal cost.
Having hosted rock concerts at his estate since 1981, the 8th Marquess Conyngham was told at one stage that he wasn't going to survive after being diagnosed with cancer in 2013. The cancer returned in 2016, requiring further treatment and ongoing spells in hospital.
“The journey was very rough, being told at one stage that I was going to die. I am, quite simply, very lucky to be alive. It has changed my perspective on life, now when I wake up I tell myself how lucky I am to still be on God’s good earth.”
Safe in the knowledge that Slane Castle has passed into the stewardship of his eldest son Alex, he can take comfort in the fact that his life’s work is now capably looked after by the next generation. “Alex is growing into the role and will look after the place - I am so happy it will be in very good hands.”
While there is no news yet of what gigs, if any, will happen at Slane in 2025, fans are hoping that Oasis, who play Croke Park on 16th and 17th August, might add the castle to their gig list for the year.
The band first played Slane in 1995 as support to REM and then 14 years later, Liam and Noel Gallagher returned as the headline act and performed to a sell-out 80,000 crowd. Oasis has a connection to the castle that goes deeper than most - and what a gig it would be for their third coming.
Also, RTE’s new show, Traitors Ireland, may well be filmed at Slane Castle - Lord Henry and Alex have indicated they’re open to discussions with the show. The Irish version of the hit show is seeking a batch of traitors and hopefuls for the new show while its producers search for a suitable castle to host the series.
The RTE Christmas special on the life of Lord Henry will screen on RTE 1 on 27th December. It features rare archive and candid in depth interviews with himself, his wife Iona, his brother Simon and his children and friends - including Adam Clayton from U2 - with nothing off limits.
What emerges is a deeply personal portrait of a determined man who often feels at odds with his homeland.
Lord Henry discusses his Anglo-Irish heritage, the Troubles, the concerts, the riots, a death at the Castle, the devastating fire and the long and difficult road to restoration. Inspired to set the record straight on his rock and roll life, this is the definitive portrait of one of Ireland’s most colourful characters.