Hotel Castle Leslie Estate

Nestled on 1,000 acres of undulating Irish countryside, dotted with ancient woodlands and glittering lakes, Castle Leslie Estate is one of the last great Irish estates still in the hands of its founding family. The Leslie Family arrived in Ireland in the 16th Century and bought the Estate at that time. Today, Castle Leslie Estate is led and managed by Sammy Leslie and governed by a Family Trust. The family considers itself to be guardians of the land and its overwhelming desire is to protect the Estate for future generations.

The Castle at Castle Leslie Estate

Since the 1660s, the distinguished and somewhat individual Leslie family have lived on the Castle Estate, welcoming everyone from politicians to poets, ambassadors to ufologists. The Castle, at the heart of the Estate, offers authentic original interiors and old-style hospitality and is a complete respite from the world. The Castle comprises 20 bedrooms and there are several elegant rooms in which you can relax in privacy or in the company of friends such as the Blue Room, Long Gallery, Library, Drawing Room or private screening room.

The Castle Master & Heritage Rooms

There are four Master Bedrooms in the Castle:The Mauve RoomThe Red RoomThe Eagles NestThe Blue Room

There are sixteen Castle Heritage Bedrooms in the Castle:The Governess Room, The Nursery, Shane's Room, Seymour's Room, Norman's Room, Desmond's Room, Aggie's Room, Strong Room, Room of Calm, Sir John's Room, Anita's Room, Chinese Room, Green Room, Lionel's Room, Papa Jack's Room and The Print Room

Mauve Room

The Mauve Room and its adjoining dressing room came to be known as The Royal Suite, having provided sweet slumber and other delights to numerous royalty, such as Queen Margaret of Sweden, The Duke and Duchess of Connaught, Prince Pierre of Monaco (the father of Prince Rainier III). This room is unchanged since it was first built. All the white furniture was designed by Sir John Leslie and built on the Estate. Unfortunately, the original curtains crumbled after 110 years but new replicas were specially made by hand and are now adorning the windows in the room.

The Eagle’s Nest

The Eagles Nest, as the name suggests, this room is at one of the highest points of the house and has a wonderful balcony with sweeping views of the beautiful lake and gardens. When Sammy Leslie’s aunt, Anne Cochrane, bought an enormous garden umbrella, the children decided to use it as a parachute. They were about to launch ourselves from the high balcony but were prevented in the nick of time. Today, the Eagle’s Nest is a spacious and intimate room – the perfect spot for couple’s on a romantic break at one of the finest luxury hotels Ireland.

The Red Room

The Red Room has been at the centre of family life at Castle Leslie Estate for centuries - a doorway in and out of this life, so to speak. Anita Leslie King gave birth to her daughter Leonie in this room. The Red Room has accommodated W B Yeats, the infamous Irish poet, as well as numerous ambassadors to Dublin. Sir John Benjamin stayed in the room during the last war while he was culturally attached to the British Embassy in Dublin. With its magnificent four poster bed, it is perfect for those looking for a special romantic hideaway. Except for the noble French `armoire' cupboard, all the furniture in the room including the four poster bed came from Peruggia in Italy. The huge panelled bath is the first bath ever installed in Ireland.

The Blue Room

The Blue Room acquired its marvellous deep blue colour from Lady Leonie Leslie, before she later moved into the Mauve Room. Sammy Leslie replicated the blue colour in the bathroom, which was once the dressing room. Subsequently it was transformed to an `Odeon cinema' come TV room, with suitably hideous colours and plastic seats, for Sammy and her little sister, Camilla. The walls in the Blue Room are adorned by sketches and paintings.

The Lodge at Castle Leslie Estate

The Lodge with its 29 rooms and cut-stone stable courtyard, has been lovingly restored and imaginatively decorated retaining its period features and original character. It provides cosy and charming accommodation. Known as one of the very best Castle Hotels in Ireland with local knowledgeable staff to give you the inside track on anything in the locality, there is an abundance of things to enjoy both on and off the Estate. It is the social hub of the Estate, the ideal spot to relax with family, friends or new acquaintances. It is adjacent to the Equestrian Centre and perfectly located for those who wish to explore the countryside and parkland on horseback. It also houses the organic Victorian Treatment Rooms, Snaffles Restaurant and Conor’s Bar.

Classic & Superior Bedrooms

Each of the 29 bedrooms has been decorated in keeping with the building's period features and designed with comfort in mind. The superior bedrooms are particularly spacious and offer balconies overlooking the Equestrian Centre's courtyards or a comfortable sitting area where you can relax with your favourite book. The spacious bathrooms include roll top baths and separate power showers and many rooms feature super king beds guaranteed to induce a wonderful night’s sleep.

Bar & Dining

At Snaffles 2 AA Rosette award winning restaurant you can enjoy delicious meals in a relaxed setting. Set on a mezzanine floor, the open-plan restaurant is light and spacious with its dramatic hand-carved ceiling and robust oak beams blending effortlessly with a striking wall of contemporary glass. Signature dishes are cooked with superb locally sourced food. The social hub of the Estate, Conor's Bar is the ideal place to relax with a pint of Guinness or enjoy traditional country home cooking in a more casual setting.

Victorian Treatment Rooms

A visit to the Victorian Treatment Rooms will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised. With seven treatment rooms, a relaxation area and an outdoor hot tubs overlooking the stables, it’s the perfect place to ease your weary muscles after taking part in one of the many activities available on the Estate. The highly-trained therapists will pamper you with a range of traditional organic therapies from the ‘Eminence Organics’ & 'Voya' ranges. Signature treatments include the Never a Dull Moment Facial, Grip Fast back, neck & shoulder massage, and a Chocolate Truffle Wrap. Castle Leslie Estate’s choice of Eminence 100% Organic Skin Care reflects its uniqueness and its unspoilt natural surroundings which are rich in wild plants and mineral springs.

Equestrian Centre

The Estate offers an idyllic setting for outdoor activity and adventure. It is the perfect place to discover the thrill of exploring the beautiful Irish countryside on horseback. We welcome riders of all ability and offer expert tuition, gentle hacks and exhilarating cross-country rides. The Equestrian Centre combines the authentic charm of a country estate with all the amenities you’d expect from one of Ireland’s best horse-riding locations. As one of Europe’s finest equestrian playgrounds, Castle Leslie Estate offers memorable horse riding holiday experiences for riding enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to experienced riders.

Activities

Castle Leslie Estate offers a wide variety of activities to satisfy guests’ every desire. Enjoy fishing for Pike in Glaslough Lake, explore the variety of exceptional routes for walkers, indulge in Clay Pigeon Shooting, Boating, Kayaking, Falconry or experience the magic of a tailor-made Hot Air Balloon Flight. So whether you’re looking for an energetic, action packed or a reviving activity, Castle Leslie Estate has it all.