Slane Castle, situated in a dramatic setting by the river Boyne, is one of the most exciting buildings architecturally in Ireland. Home to the Conyngham family since 1703, farming was the main activity up to recent times when Rock Concerts and Whiskey Distilling were introduced.

Overlooking the River Boyne, 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 1st 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 arrived in Ireland in 1611, during the Plantation of Ulster in County Donegal.

The association between the Conynghams and the Slane Estate dates back over 300 years, ever since the property was taken by the family following the Williamite Confiscations in 1701. Around that time, the family moved their main ancestral seat south from County Donegal to Slane.

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.

Since 1981, the grounds of Slane Castle have been used to host rock concerts. The natural amphitheatre has an 80,000 person capacity. Performers who have headlined Slane concerts since 1981 include The Rolling Stones, U2, Guns N' Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, David Bowie, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Williams, Madonna, R.E.M., Foo Fighters and Oasis.


Slane Whiskey Distillery is located in the stables of Slane Castle which date back to the mid 1700's. Additional buildings have been sensitively constructed behind the Georgian period stables. Slane Castle Irish Whiskey was initially conceived by the owner of Slane Castle, Lord Henry Mount Charles and his son, Alex Conynham. Slane Castle Irish Whiskey was launched in 2009. It was distilled on behalf of the family by Cooley Distillery.

The building of Slane Castle Distillery received a major boost in 2015 when the US company Brown Forman, makers of Jack Daniels whiskey invested 50 million dollars in the project. Slane Irish whiskey is triple-casked in virgin American oak casks, seasoned Tennessee whiskey casks and in Spanish sherry casks.