Slane Castle
| Slane Castle | |
|---|---|
Caisleán Bhaile Shláine | |
| Slane, Ireland | |
 Slane Castle seen from within its grounds. | |
  Slane Castle | |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Henry Conyngham |
| Controlled by | Slane Castle Ltd |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1701 |
| In use | Still in use today |
| Events | Slane Concert |
Slane Castle is located in the town of Slane, within the Boyne Valley of County Meath, Ireland. The castle has been the family home of the Conyngham Marquessate since the 18th century.[1]
It holds the Slane Concert event within its grounds, with the Irish Independent claiming in 2004 that "Slane today is the kind of internationally-recognised venue that can claim even Madonna's attention".[2] Its sloping lawns form a natural amphitheatre.[3]
History
Overlooking the River Boyne, just a few kilometres upstream from Newgrange and the site of the famous Battle of the Boyne, Slane Castle in its existing form was constructed under the direction of William Burton Conyngham, together with his nephew the first Marquess Conyngham. The reconstruction dates back to 1785 and is principally the work of James Gandon, James Wyatt and Francis Johnston. Francis Johnston was also the architect responsible for the gothic gates on the Mill Hill, located to the east of the castle.
The Conynghams are originally a Scottish Protestant family, who first settled in Ireland in 1611 in County Donegal. There has been an active association between the Conynghams and the Slane Estate dating back over 300 years, ever since the property was purchased by the family following the Williamite Confiscations in 1701. Prior to this, Slane Castle had been in the possession of the Flemings, Anglo-Norman Catholics who had aligned themselves with the Jacobites in the War of the Grand Alliance, and thus after the Williamite victory, their property was eligible for confiscation. Christopher Fleming, 22nd of Slane, 17th Lord, Viscount Longford (1669 – 14 July 1726), was the last Fleming Lord of Slane. The present head of the Conyngham family and occupant of Slane Castle is Henry Conyngham who styles himself as the 8th Marquess Conyngham.
In 1991, a fire in the castle caused extensive damage to the building and completely gutted the eastern section facing the River Boyne. The castle reopened in 2001 after the completion of a ten-year restoration programme. In 2003, a cannon associated with the castle was found in the nearby River Boyne[4]
Within The Castle demesne lie the ruins of St. Erc's Hermitage, a 15th century multi-storey building.
Concerts at Slane
Since 1981, the grounds of Slane castle have been used to host rock concerts. The natural amphitheatre has a 80,000 person capacity.[5]
Performers who have headlined Slane concerts since 1981 include The Rolling Stones, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, David Bowie, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N' Roses, Madonna, R.E.M., Foo Fighters and Oasis. On May 28th, 2011, Kings Of Leon headlined the 30th anniversary event at Slane Castle. Five support acts played, including Thin Lizzy, who in an earlier line-up headlined the first Slane Concert in 1981.[6]
Celtic Woman filmed their second DVD at Slane Castle in August 2006, and U2 filmed the DVD U2 Go Home: Live From Slane Castle in 2001 but the DVD was released in 2003. The Red Hot Chili Peppers also filmed the DVD Live at Slane Castle in 2003.
References
- ^ "Slane Castle History: A Brief History by Henry, Eighth Marquess Conyngham".
- ^ "Rainy days & festivals". Irish Independent. 10 July 2004.
- ^ U2 and Slane Castle gear up for 20-year reunion. RTÉ.
- ^ Slane Cannon find newsfile.ie. Retrieved: 2011-05-31.
- ^ "Slane Castle Concerts & Events".
- ^ "Up to 80,000 Descend on Slane"