Kings’ seal of approval for Slane’s 30-year reign

SATURDAY saw the natural amphitheatre adjoining Slane castle host the first of the summer’s many music festivals.

Under an overcast sky, supporting acts played from 2pm, entertaining the crowd as it swelled finally to 80,000. The draw of the headline act, The Kings of Leon ensured Slane sold out in less than 40 minutes.

As I arrived, thumping happy house music bounced around the food stalls. Many early arrivals took up relaxed positions on the hill where they could hardly see the stage but had easy access to the beer vendors and the soothing base lines from the Red Bull DJ.