Slane goes extreme with stunt show

THE venue of some of the most famous gigs in Irish rock history has announced plans for the biggest-ever extreme sports event held in these islands.

For more than 20 years, Slane Castle has provided a stage for everyone from U2to the Rolling Stones and dozens of other headline acts, but yesterday it confirmed the famous venue will host a team of top stunt motorcyclists.

The stars of the Red Bull X-Fighters World Series will demonstrate their brand of extreme sports in an event set to be broadcast in 30 countries.

Slane’s Lord Henry Mountcharles said: “I’m thrilled that Red Bull chose Slane Castle as the venue for this event, which is an exciting new departure for us.

“This will put Slane Castle on a world stage for events other then music, which is most exciting,” he said.

The Red Bull X-Fighters Slane Castle event will be staged in a specially designed Celtic setting for what the organisers say will be the biggest-ever extreme sports event held in Ireland or Britain.

Music fans have been promised the event, on May 26, will include a special line-up of talent, with tickets going on sale on March 15.

Riders in the event use 15ft ‘kicker’ ramps to launch themselves into the air and are judged on executing a host of aerial stunts.

Signature jumps include Superman, Cliffhanger, Kiss of Death and the gravity-defying 360º backflip.