Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mountcharles has said he is "extremely disappointed" that he will be missing a concert for the first time in the legendary venue's history due to illness.
The 66-year-old, who has been hosting the massive annual concert at the Co Meath venue since 1981, will be forgoing this year's highly-anticipated gig by Guns N' Roses on the order of his doctors after he developed a chest infection last week.
In a statement, Mountcharles said he is "disappointed" he'll be missing the event and hopes fans will have a brilliant day.
"I am obviously extremely disappointed that I can't be there and my wish is for all of the fans to enjoy the day. I will be there in spirit"
"This is particularly emotional because the last time Guns N' Roses played here was immediately after the fire [in Slane Castle in 1991]," he told RTÉ News
"We were all shattered and in a bad place, and that [concert] started lifting everything."
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Eighty-three-thousand people are expected at Slane Castle for the concert on Saturday and fans have been encouraged to arrive early and use public transport where possible.
Supporting Guns N' Roses at Slane Castle is a dream come true for local band
It is thought that Guns N' Roses could come onstage as early as 7.00pm and will play a full set of over 20 songs, so concertgoers are advised to be in place before 5.00pm.
Mountcharles said Slane Castle was rebuilt on rock and roll and he urged people to pay heed to the Gardaí and have a safe trip. He emphasised the need for people to stay away from the Boyne river on site.
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Gates are open at 2.00pm with support from local act Otherkin, Mark Lanegan and Royal Blood. If people are driving to Slane, car parks are colour-coded and signposted from the main routes.
Over 400 Gardai will be on duty at Slane on Saturday, including specialist units, supported by an additional 1,200 security/stewards. There with also be a full complement of doctors and medical teams, including an on-site hospital along with five first aid posts.
Ahead of the show, Guns N'Roses bassist Duff McKagan has been making the most of his downtime in Dublin.
A special visit from #gunsnroses legend Duff McKagan to the #BookofKells Exhibition today where he met our very own Rockstar, Ken Kerrigan! pic.twitter.com/eH5s24S4pe
— The Book of Kells (@BookOfKellsTCD) May 26, 2017
