'Spiritual experience' of Slane recalled at aristocrat's funeral

The bass guitarist with U2, Adam Clayton, was among those who have paid tribute at the funeral of Lord Henry Mount Charles, who hosted world famous music acts at his Slane Castle home in County Meath.

U2 were a support act when Thin Lizzy headlined the inaugural concert at Slane Castle in the summer of 1981.

In a tribute, delivered by his son Alex, the ninth Marquess Conyngham, the congregation heard that Lord Mount Charles often described the Slane live music experience as "something of a spiritual one".

He added that "for many it remains a rite of passage".

Lord Mount Charles' son described his father as an Anglo-Irish aristocrat who was "a passionate constitutional republican".

He said Lord Mount Charles "truly loved this country, its culture and its people, and he counted himself blessed to be an Irishman".

He said his father had a great commitment towards peace, and had opened up the castle gates while being "driven by a conviction that music is a universal language that brings people together".

Lord Mount Charles who was the custodian of Slane Castle, died last week, after a "battle with cancer", his family said. He was 74.

He introduced the small village of Slane to generations of music fans at home and abroad, when he decided to host some of the world's biggest stars in the grounds of the castle.

The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Queen, Bob Dylan, Robbie Williams, David Bowie, U2, Eminem, Bruce Springsteen, Kings Of Leon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis, REM and Metallica are just some of the world-renowned acts that headlined the venue.

Lord Mount Charles' daughter Tamara read a tribute called "lessons from my dad", which included the words: "Never give up, ever."

She said: "Dad was one of the most determined people that I know and he proved what can be achieved when you truly put your mind to it."

Recalling an anecdote about being admonished for going to bed "before the last of our guests", she added: "He fought for so long because he didn't want to leave the party and all we can do now is party on in his memory."

The final tribute during the service came from Lord Henry's friend Nick Koumarianos, who said Lord Mount Charles had "put Ireland on the map" for generations of pop music fans around the world.

The funeral service was held in St Patrick's Church of Ireland in the village of Slane and was conducted by the Rev Canon John Clarke.

Adam Clayton delivered the second reading. The service also featured readings by Lord Simon Conyngham and Wolfe Conyngham.

The Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) and the Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) were represented by Commandant Joseph Glennon from the Irish Defence Forces.

The funeral was also attended by the former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Minister for Education Helen McEntee.