THE HISTORY OF SLANE CASTLE
News last updated: 12-09-2012

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Following customer feedback and a full review of operational matters by promoters MCD, Slane Castle, An Garda Síochána, Meath County Council & Dublin Bus the following improvements have been put in place for fans attending Slane 2011:

(1) Delays in the woods Dublin entrance route:
This route from the bridge has been upgraded with a widened area for ticket scanning to allow for speedier processing of patrons as they arrive (like a toll plaza on a motorway).
An additional emergency access route has been opened to the centre point on the route with a first aid presence at that point.

(2) Congestion at Bar 3 and toilets within this area:
The toilets in this area have been moved to a new location at the back of the field and the Bar 3 area will now be solely for food and drink with a more generous queueing area. The upgraded toilet area will be in a newly created area between the Blue and Green exits. The upgrade in this area will also allow concession units to be further off the concert arena and this will result in almost 10% more circulation space being available in the arena for patrons comfort.

(3) Increased control Dublin Bus loading area - location Dublin Road:
A new bus processing area will be created in a field adjacent to the N2 in order to process Dublin Bus and private coach patrons in an orderly manner. A new 'loop' route for Dublin Bus will mean that buses will come out the N2 but return via the M1 motorway for a smoother and faster operation. Private coach patrons will by-pass the Dublin Bus patrons via a dedicated route and all private coaches on the N2 will then leave the area via the N2 to minimise the interaction with the Dublin Bus operation. The bus processing area will also have toilets and refreshment facilities for patrons while they wait. This area is part of a wider traffic plan that has been devised following extensive consultation between MCD, An Garda Síochána and Dublin Bus. Car parking will be available on all roads except the N2 which is being reserved solely for Dublin Bus and coach traffic.

We hope these changes will improve the concert experience for all fans and would like to thank you for their feedback and consultation during our review process.

General Questions

Q: How can I stay updated on artist additions to the event in the run up? 

You could subscribe to www.mcd.ie/subscribe update for all updates on Slane 2011.

Q: Is it too late to enquire about my band performing at Slane?

A: I'm afraid so, yes.

Q: Can I purchase a car parking ticket?
A: There is no pre-booking facility available for car parks at Slane which are operated by local farmers. Designated car parks will be sign posted and Gardai will direct you to these. There maybe unauthorized car parks in operation but MCD have no responsibility for or connection to these.

Q: Can I leave the event and come back in again?
A: Please note there is no readmission to the event.

Getting there

Q: I'm travelling from the UK - can you tell me best way of getting to Slane?
A: Best airport to fly into is Dublin Airport. If arriving at Dublin or Dun Laoghaire ferryports, take the M1 north out of Dublin and exit at the Slane exit and follow signs for designated car parking. Alternatively use Dublin Bus shuttle from Dublin.

Q: I'm trying to find out how I can get to the event?

A: Dublin Bus will operate a shuttle service from Mountjoy Sq in Dublin. Book in advance on www.dublinbus.ie. Ulsterbus run services from Belfast and many of the other major towns in Northern Ireland.
If you are travelling from other areas, please check >a href="http://www.buseireann.ie">www.buseireann.ie, www.irishrail.ie or with your nearest ticket outlet for details of local bus operators. Avoid leaving Dublin before 12 noon as queueing will not be permitted prior to gates opening at 3 pm.

Access Questions

Q: What is the earliest I can arrive to the event?
A: Gates will open at 3 pm on showday. No queuing will be permitted prior to this so you should time your arrival accordingly.

Q: Can I bring Garden Furniture or seats with me?
A: Unfortunately not. Neither garden furniture nor umbrellas will be permitted for Health and Safety reasons.

Q: Will there be Disabled Facilites?

A. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our events, participate, feel safe, as well as being part of the crowd. The following section aims to help you make an informed decision about attending. All disabled customers are welcomed at MCD shows, but note that this event takes place on a sloping greenfield site. Parts of this site may have undulating sections of terrain, meaning that sometimes access is not that easy. Stewards however, will be at hand to assist.

We will provide a platform just beneath the wheelchair platform on the side of the hill beneath the castle at Slane for people who have mobility or standing problems. We can issue you a pass to the disabled car park, which is the closet car park to the site – though please bear in mind that everywhere at Slane is a long walk! Please email specialneeds@mcd.ie to request a car pass. Note that space in this area is limited. Please contact us well in advance to allow us to plan for your arrival.

If you know that you will need to charge your electric wheelchair at the one of our events, please get in touch with us beforehand to make arrangements. Email us at specialneeds@mcd.ie
Non-disabled customers may be asked to leave the platform when it is busy to facilitate those more deserving and we ask all customers to be considerate of others needs.

Patrons will require a Disabled ticket to access the viewing platforms. These platforms are solely for the use of disabled people and their carers. Platform access ramps will have a gradient to lend itself to improved ease of access. All platforms have loose seating for carers. In the summer months, our outdoor show platforms are not covered. There maybe use of laser and strobe lights at the event. Those persons affected by lighting should ensure they have sufficient time to leave the viewing platform/crowd before effects begin. Please bear in mind the audience may be very large and movement through the crowd slow.
Where possible, a disabled toilet should be located nearby and its use restricted to disabled patrons. If possible, at least one person accompanying the disabled patron will be accommodated on the platform. All staff are briefed regarding arrangements for disabled customers, and if you experience problems dealing with any staff on site, we do wish to hear from you, preferably at the event.

Q: I’m not in a wheelchair but I have mobility problems? 

A: We will provide a platform just beneath the wheelchair platform on the side of the hill beneath the castle at Slane for people that have mobility or standing problems. Admission to this will operate on a first come, first served basis. As above, we can issue a pass to the disabled car park, which is the closet car park to the site – though please, bear in mind that everywhere at Slane is a long walk! Please email specialneeds@mcd.ie to request a car pass.

The scheme and disabled facilities are not open to those with temporary injuries such as broken legs, pregnant customers and so on. There are medical and welfare facilities on site, which are open to all customers, but use of the disabled facilities, are strictly regulated.

Food & Drink Questions

Q: How much beer can I bring in with me? 

A: No alcohol is permitted onto the event site and searches will be in place at the entrances. MCD are committed to responsible alcohol policies and work with www.drinkaware.ie in relation to this. We also have a 2 drink per person limit on all onsite bars. ID will be checked rigorously on event day. There will be an array of onsite concessions selling food and beverage. Note no glass is permitted on site, - only plastic bottles will be permitted.


Trader Questions

Q: How can I find out information about having a stall at the event?

A: Please contact us at contact@mcd.ie


Press Questions

Q: I have a Press Enquiry, who should I contact? 

A: Please contact us at contact@mcd.ie

The History of Slane Castle

16th August 1981
THIN LIZZY
U2/HazelO’Connor/Rose Tattoo
Sweet Savage/The Bureau/Megahype

24th July 1982
ROLLING STONES
J.Geils Band/The Chieftans/George Thorogood and the Destroyers

8th July 1984
BOB DYLAN
UB40/Santanta/In Tua Nua

1st June 1985
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

5th July 1986
QUEEN
Chris Rea/Bangles/Fountain Head

11th July 1987
DAVID BOWIE
Big Country/Aslan/The Grove

16th May 1992
GUNS ‘N’ ROSES
Faith No More/My Little Funhouse

10th July 1993
NEIL YOUNG
Pearl Jam/Van Morrison/Saw Doctors/James/ 4 Non Blondes/ The Blue Angels

22nd July 1995
REM
Oasis/Spearhead/Sharon Shannon/Belly/Luka Bloom

29th August 1998
THE VERVE
Manic Street Preachers/Robbie Williams/Finlay Quaye/The Sea Horses/James/Junkster

28th August 1999
ROBBIE WILLIAMS
Stereophonics/Placebo/Happy Mondays/Gomez/David Gray/Simon Carmody

26th August 2000
BRYAN ADAMS
Moby/Macy Gray/Melanie C/Muse/Eagle – Eye Cherry/Dara/Screaming Orphans

25th August 2001
U2
Red Hot Chili Peppers/Coldplay/Kelis/JJ72/Relish

1st September 2001
U2
Moby/Ash/Nelly Furtado/The Walls/Dara

21st August 2002
STEREOPHONICS
The Charlatans/Nickelback/Counting Crows/Ocean ColourScene/Doves/The Revs

23rd August 2003
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
Foo Fighters/Queens of Stone Age/PJ Harvey/Feeder.

29th August 2005
MADONNA

18th August 2007
ROLLING STONES
The Charlatans/The Hold Steady/Tinariwen/Frankie Gavin

20th June 2009
OASIS
The Prodigy/Kasabian/Glasvegas/The Blizzards

28th May 2011
KINGS OF LEON
Elbow/Thin Lizzy/White Lies/Mona/The Whigs