Slane Castle is located on the
banks of the river Boyne, about a mile west of the crossroads at Slane
Village, County Meath. Slane is fairly close to New Grange and is easily
accessible from Dublin.
The Castle was bought by the Coyninghams after the Battle of the Boyne
when the estate was confiscated by the victorious King of England. This
family has held it ever since, presently represented by Lord Mountcharles.
Lord Mountcharles' stewardship of the castle is marked by the rock concerts
he has promoted on the castle lawn, a discotheque nightclub and one-time
restaurant. The natural shape of the landscape provides a natural amphitheatre
upon which the eighty thousand or so music lovers may view the concert
stage below them.
George IV's writing desk is here in the home of his mistress, Lady Conyngham. Beautifully located on the banks of the Boyne, the castle boasts a gothic revival ballroom, one of the finest in Europe.
The Castle gates, pictured here, are at the bridge crossing at Slane,
and one of the first things you see in Slane when coming from Dublin.
The Gothic arch and turrets of the gate alone are a wonderful work of
architecture.The path beyond them, to the Castle, is private. The castle
itself was built by the Norman conquerers, The Flemings. A portion of
the original castle has been incorporated into the now larger castle,
built in the Georgian style.
History
On the Hill of Slane, St Patrick lit the flame of Christianity that has kindled in Ireland through more than 1,500 years. The town of Slane rests beneath Patrick's hill.
"St. Patrick has for many become synonymous with things Irish;
form shamrocks to the shortage of snakes on the emerald isle. 
There
was a time however when Patrick wasn't viewed as being so Irish, but
rather as a Christian missionary come to convert Ireland's Celtic
pagans. This he did with great symbolic Flare. Take the story of the
Paschal fire. As the Druids celebrated their feast day on the hill
of Tara, Patrick prepared the Easter feast on the hill of Slane. Patrick
lit his Paschal fire at Slane, before the Druids could kindle their
sacred fire at Tara. The Druids having seen flames at Slane warned
Laegaire, the High King, that if Patrick's fire were not put out immediately,
it would burn forever in Ireland. The rest is history." - Meath
Tourism