Executive Chair: Alex Conyngham, Custodian of Slane Castle.

Alex Conyngham (0:00)

The Executive Chair on Newstalk.

SPEAKER_2 (0:03)

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Supporting business that supports Ireland.

Emmet Oliver (0:14)

Now, it's the part of the programme where we talk to some of the most prominent and successful people in Irish business and people who are developing businesses from top to bottom. And my guest today is a fascinating one, because virtually everyone in the audience, or certainly a large portion of you, have been in his property at some point or other, or you may be planning to. So Alex Conyngham, who's the ninth, Mark, was Conyngham. He's the custodian of Slane Castle Estate. You're very welcome to Down To Business.

Alex Conyngham (0:37)

Thanks. Good morning, Emmet.

Emmet Oliver (0:38)

I'll just refer to you as Alex from here on in.

Alex Conyngham (0:40)

Oh yeah, Alex is barely fine, thanks.

Emmet Oliver (0:42)

Now, a lot of people have been in the venue. Some people got married there.

Some people have consumed whiskey there, which we'll talk about in a second. And of course, most popularly, people have been at concerts there. This is a property built in the 18th century. It's been home to your family for 300 years now, so you're not blow-ins.

Alex Conyngham (1:01)

No.

Emmet Oliver (1:02)

And you've done so many different things. Now, you know it's associated with concerts, but just to give people an idea, you really want to see the business as much more complex and layered than that.

Alex Conyngham (1:11)

Yeah, I mean, look, it's a 1500-acre estate, and we're incredibly lucky to have the privilege of living in it. But in order for it to thrive and survive, you end up being an entrepreneur, I guess, by necessity rather than choice. And so there are lots of different layers to the business, and it does have to perform as a business, because the upkeep of the place is pretty substantial.

Emmet Oliver (1:36)

Your energy bill must be frightening.

Alex Conyngham (1:38)

Well, the energy bills are good. I mean, I grew up and there was no central heating in the place, and we just moved into a smaller room in the winter. But obviously, guests who are coming to stay with us are not going to tolerate that. So yes, you know.

Emmet Oliver (1:50)

And just general maintenance and upkeep will be a big thing.

Alex Conyngham (1:53)

So you know, it's a protected structure. But not only have you got the building itself, you've got other monuments on the estate, including, for example, St. Urch's hermitage.

He was Patrick's first disciple. There's a beautiful little chapel built in the domain woods. And then, of course, we have the natural heritage as well. We've got 350 acres of woodland, which we're now restoring and removing invasive species from, so it's a fully-fledged, diverse business with a core focus on hospitality and the gigs. But it's ultimately, in order for it to thrive, we need to find ways to share the place, because that sharing brings people in. They hopefully leave with some good memories and a bond with the place, but they provide the income that's needed to sustain the estate.

Emmet Oliver (2:43)

Now, talk to me a little bit about your business career. You wanted to be a vet, I believe.

Alex Conyngham (2:46)

I did, yeah.

SPEAKER_2 (2:47)

Which is quite different from rock concerts.

Alex Conyngham (2:49)

Yeah, just like, yeah, I always loved the natural world. My grandfather in particular, I guess, inspired that. So yes, from a young age, I was going to be a vet, but life seemed to have other ideas.

Emmet Oliver (3:00)

And your father was exceptionally well known, even ran for political office at one point. I mean, can you describe, is your style of managing the property and the business different to his? Or do you see yourself carrying on his legacy? Or just talk to me about that, because a lot of our listeners would know Henry MacCharles, but they knew the way he ran it.

Alex Conyngham (3:19)

Yeah. I think dad was a maverick in many ways. And the perception of the big house in Ireland, obviously has an understandably complicated history. And I think where dad was so innovative is that he recognized that the doors needed to be kicked down and people needed to come in. And it could play an important role in Irish society and culture. And obviously the big moment came with the gigs in 1981 And that was obviously a particularly difficult year with the hunger strikes and everything else. And the Lord in the Castle may not have been the flavor of the month. And then when he opened the gates and created that incredibly important space or safe space to enjoy music in the absence of the troubles, there was no trouble that day. It was all about the music with Thin Lizzy. And then of course, U2 was starting out. So I think Dad flipped what The Big House stood for. And I think his innovation is why I'm still here.