The Leslie family has lived here since 1665, with the land purchased with a £2000-reward given to the fighting bishop John Leslie by King Charles II. Their non-conformist ancestors include politicians, social reformers, agricultural innovators, philanthropic wives, fine pre-Raphaelite painters, furniture collectors, writers and war heroes. They've been connected with royalty, ambassadors and prime ministers, and regularly visited by foreign emigrés, wits, poets and infamous kleptomaniacs.
Samantha Leslie is the daughter of Desmond Leslie to whom the Estate was passed in 1964. The size and nature of the estate, the cost of its upkeep and the effects of the troubles on this border country made Castle Leslie a 'hot potato' within the family.
Typifying the Victorian excesses of its day, the Castle was built by Sammy's great great grandfather. When Sammy took it over from her father, she identified a commercially viable opportunity that would not only ensure the future safekeeping of the Estate and its history but also prompt its regeneration.
Sammy's ambition was to restore the Castle to the style and manner for it was built: entertaining guests on a grand scale. But she started small, establishing tea rooms in the old conservatory and creating income to restore the roof.
From 1995-7, fourteen totally different bedrooms were refurbished along with their original Victorian bathrooms. Dinners were served by candlelight in the original dining room just as it had been in the old days with pre-prandial drinks in the Drawing Room or Fountain Garden.
Determined to maintain its individuality, Castle Leslie was soon rewarded with The Good Hotel Guide Caesar Award for being 'utterly enjoyable and mildly eccentric'. Its adopted ethos is a wonderful refuge for grown-ups where there are no TVs, mobile phones or radios - just wonderful food, relaxed and friendly service, with breakfast till noon and picnics by the lake.
Sammy has come a long way from the leaky tea room, and she's secured the estate for future generations by placing it in a trust. Castle Leslie now employs over 100 staff on its growing team. It's a fine example of how an historic property can be brought back to life, gain sustainability through tourism and work symbiotically with local communities. And be a thoroughly fun enterprise too.
2002 saw Castle Leslie hit centre stage for Paul McCartney's fairytale wedding. Over 800 million people saw the event on TV, and helped with the progression of the Castle Leslie Estate and the border counties.
In 2004 and at a time when most estates are downsizing or being sold, Sammy bought back the Estate Equestrian Centre and the Hunting Lodge. The same year, it was announced through INTEREG IIIA - an EC Community Initiative promoting cross border co-operation, that Castle Leslie have been awarded a Euro cross-border funded package in collaboration with the Caledon Regeneration Partnership. This funding helped with the restoration and regeneration of the Long Gallery wing so that the Estate could offer conferencing facilities, six more wonderful bedrooms and the Old Kitchens (now the Cookery School).
All the hard work and commitment started to pay off in 2005 with the Castle Leslie Estate winning the Sunday Times - Best Country House and Food & Wine - Best Country House Restaurant in Ulster. More recognition followed in 2006 with the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Award for Best Country House - this recognizes excellence in 11 categories.
But work has carried on. The Hunting Lodge and Equestrian Centre restoration started in January 2006 to improve the existing facilities, and add the Spa whilst retaining all the rustic Victorian country house charm and their reputation for a friendly welcome. The result is a holistic and integrated equestrian destination to satisfy the most energetic of horse riders in a family atmosphere.
Click here to learn about the Hunting Lodge and the Equestrian Centre.
The Castle Leslie Estate continues to evolve and thrive. It seems the fulfillment of Sammy's vision to see the entire Estate fully restored and full of life. It continues to be an exciting time on the Estate and a testament to the Estate's commitment to creating a unique Irish environment.