Luxury Castle Hotels in Monaghan | Castle Leslie Estate

Life, the way it’s supposed to be…

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, this castle hotel in Ireland 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.

Located in Glaslough, Monaghan, Ireland and considered to be one of the finest Castle Hotels Ireland has to offer, Castle Leslie Estate is just 80 minutes from Dublin and 60 minutes from Belfast airport.

Following extensive restoration over the past decade, the Estate has been all but transformed to its original glory. Today, this luxury hotel in Ireland boasts a variety of accommodation, dining options and a diverse range of on-site activities and off-site activities. It is the perfect location for a romantic adult break, a family activity holiday or celebration. It is a magical and captivating setting for those romantic Irish Castle Weddings.

Castle Leslie Estate’s uniqueness, character and charm can only be felt, not described. Therefore we invite you to come and experience a romantic getaway in Ireland so that you can sample our renowned hospitality which makes Castle Leslie one of the finest luxury hotels in Ireland.

The Estate offers an idyllic setting for outdoor activity and adventure. It’s the perfect place to discover the thrill of exploring the countryside on horseback or foot. You can spend a few hours fishing on one of Ireland’s best-preserved lakes. Alternatively, you might prefer to enjoy a massage in the Victorian Treatment Rooms at the end of an activity packed day or relax with a book in one of our many beautiful rooms while staying at one of the finest Castle hotels in Ireland.

‘At Castle Leslie, you will get a unique perception of time; its links with reality are tenuous indeed and thereby lies its enchantment.’ Irish Tourist Board.

So if you are looking for a luxury hotel in Ireland for your next holiday, stay at Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan.

Castle Bedrooms
Lodge Bedrooms
The Old Stable Mews

The West Wing

The West Wing Suite is a stunning Two Storey, Two-Bedroom Suite, located in a Private Wing of The Castle. The Master Bedroom has a large four-poster bed, a grand bathroom with a separate roll-top bath and walk-in shower along with a romantic Juliet balcony to welcome in the morning sunrise. The West Wing Suite also comes with a junior guest bedroom with a double bed and private separate bathroom. The Downstairs of the suite, comprises a beautifully furnished, generously proportioned private sitting room, with kitchenette and a magnificent large terrace, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Glaslough Lake and your own private access to the Castle gardens. The West Wing suite also offers couples a private Treatment Room where individually they can enjoy a relaxing full body massage by one of our expert spa therapists.

The Mauve Master 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 (Queen Victoria's favourite son, and also Desmond Leslie’s godfather),

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The Blue Master Room

The Blue Room acquired its marvellous deep blue colour from Lady Leonie Leslie, before she later moved into the Mauve Room. Subsequently it was transformed to an 'Odeon cinema' style TV room, with suitably hideous colours and plastic seats, for Sammy Leslie and her little sister, Camilla.

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Desmond's Master Room

Desmond, as well as his stories, was always charming and larger than life. He stumbled his way through his education and finally ended up in Trinity College, Dublin. He later joined the Royal Air Force where he confessed to doing ‘very little indeed, bar drink tea and smoke cigarettes’!

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The Red Master 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.

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The Eagle's Nest Master Room

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 The Leslie children's aunt, Anne Cockran bought an enormous garden umbrella, they decided to use it as a parachute. Anita, Jack and Desmond were ready to launch themselves from the high balcony but were prevented in the nick of time.

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Chinese Master Room

Formerly the 'second best guest room', the Chinese Room overlooks the front of Castle Leslie. The splendid views of the landscape make it clear why the estate is a popular choice among hotels in Monaghan. This room was often reserved for distinguished male guests, but was also a welcome refuge for sculptor Clare Sheridan, whose bust of Shane Leslie can be found on the top floor Nursery landing.

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Green Master Room

The Green Room has some of the most spectacular views in the entire Castle of the outside landscape, and overlooks the garden and Glaslough lake. It has wide bay windows and is a particularly friendly room that still boasts its original Victorian handmade wallpaper. It is a bright sunlit romantic room draped in green with a stunningly beautiful en suite complete with freestanding bath, walk-in shower and two sinks.

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Shane's Heritage Room

Shane (born John) was the eldest of the four Leslie sons of Sir John Leslie, 2nd Bt., and Leonie Jerome. In this room, inspired by views of the lake, and many years before his grand-daughter Sammy designed and installed the great gothic bath, Shane wrote many of his best books and poems. The scenery which so inspired him has now resulted in Castle Leslie becoming one of the most popular hotels in Monaghan.

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Papa Jack's Heritage Room

This used to be known as the Pink Room due to the colour it was painted. It's a cosy room in winter and was often used by Sir John Betjeman, the Poet Laureate, whenever he visited the Castle. It has marvellous views of the front of the Castle and outdoor landscape.

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The Nursery Heritage Room

This bright and cheery room has been the happy headquarters for three generations of Castle Leslie children. The first Leslie children to use the Schoolroom can be seen today as the little carved heads over the pink stone arches of the entrance porch.

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Seymour's Heritage Room

The third of Sir John and Leonie Leslie's four sons, Seymour loved chinoiserie and the very latest inventions. The most social and romantic of the brothers, he suffered crippling tuberculosis as a child and spent his youth lying on his back.

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Anita's Heritage Room

Guests will find Anita's pastel portrait hanging on the main stairs. Anita’s Room offers stunning views of the magnificent trees to the front of Castle Leslie Estate that can be seen from the window. This stunning scenery demonstrates why the estate is one of the foremost Monaghan hotels.

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Sir John's Heritage Room

Sir John Norman Ide Leslie, 4th Bt. of Castle Leslie, Glaslough (1916-2016), affectionately known as ‘Uncle Jack’ by his family, was born in New York on 6 December 1916. He was the son of Sir John Randolph Shane Leslie, 3rd Bt., and Marjorie Ide, daughter of the American diplomat Henry Clay Ide, of Vermont, USA. He was a first cousin once removed of former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill as his paternal grandmother, Leonie Jerome, and Churchill's mother, Lady Randolph Churchill (born Jennie Jerome), were sisters - the daughters of American financier Leonard Jerome.

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The Governess Heritage Room

The Governess Room, with beautiful views of Glaslough lake, was ‘home’ to governesses, tutors, nannies and other such characters hired down through the years in an attempt to keep the children in check.

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Heritage Room of Calm

Once the main housekeepers sitting room, the Room of Calm has invariably been used as an oasis of peace and welcome reprieve from the daily demands of the Castle. It also provides the perfect couple's destination, and has gained Castle Leslie a reputation as one of the most romantic hotels Ireland has to offer.

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Norman's Heritage Room

Norman's room is quaint with picturesque views of the gardens and lake. The bed dates to 1617 and once belonged to Clara Frewen, one of the Jerome sisters, from her home Brede Place in Sussex, lovingly restored by her in the late 1800s. Built in 1350, Brede Place once belonged to Sir Goddard Oxenbridge, a judge and court guard for King Henry VII. These luxurious settings make the room one of the best destinations for spa breaks Ireland has to offer.

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Aggie's Heritage Room

Agnes Bernelle (Agi to her friends) was Desmond Leslie's first wife. She was also a wartime secret agent, cabaret legend, actress, and Ireland's oldest punk. TBorn in Weimar Berlin, Agnes and brought up in a privileged theatrical milieu. Her father was Rudolf Bernauer, a Jewish Hungarian theatre impresario and satirical songwriter. Agnes' family fled to London in 1936 prior to the outbreak of World War II.

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The Print Heritage Room

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Strong Heritage Room

Helen Leslie (née Strong) mother to Sammy and Camilla Leslie, was brought up in the tiny village of Wilviliscombe, Somerset. She was a primary school teacher for a short time before heading off to Gibraltar where she made a living 'procuring' whiskey and 'kindly delivering' it across the Spanish border. Later, on a skiing holiday in Kitzbuhl, Austria she laid eyes on the devastatingly handsome and 'dangerous' Desmond Leslie. Helen was advised by a mutual friend to steer clear of Desmond, because he already had a ‘100 volt wife and an exotic mistress – so you’re allowed just to look’!

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Lionel's Heritage Room

Lionel Leslie was the youngest of four brothers, Shane Seymour, Norman and Lionel, sons of Sir John, 2nd Bt. and his wife Lady Leonie Leslie. Born in 1900, an avenue of oak trees was planted to commemorate his birth as well as the new century. Indeed, amazing views of the extensive trees to the front of the Castle can be seen from the window.

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Lodge Classic Bedroom

The guestrooms in the Lodge, our country house hotel are chic and boutique. Each bedroom has been decorated in keeping with the building’s period features and designed with comfort in mind. Guestrooms offer a blissful king size bed or twin bed accommodation, a smart TV, a free standing Victorian roll top bath, separate walk in shower plus fabulous bathroom amenities from The Handmade Soap Company.

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Lodge Superior Bedroom

These extra special guestrooms at the Lodge are as exclusive and as exceptional as each one of our guests. They offer all the guestroom comforts of our Lodge Classic Rooms, however are particularly spacious. Each one features a balcony overlooking the Equestrian Centre or their own private courtyard or instead a beautiful and comfortable sitting area where you can relax with your favourite book. These rooms are designed for pure comfort and makes staying at the Lodge an even more magnificent experience.

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Lodge Jigsaw Superior Room

One of our superior rooms, “Jigsaw” at the Lodge offers its own secluded private entrance within the Lodge. This beautiful suite has a blissful king size bed, three smart TV's, fabulous amenities and a sitting area with some very pretty outdoor views.

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Old Stable Mews Accommodation

Set within a picturesque cut-stone courtyard in a quiet corner of Castle Leslie Estate surrounded by ancient woodlands, The Old Stable Mews is a rare blend of contemporary elegance and Victorian craftsmanship. Situated a fifteen minute walk, or a short drive through the estate to our Irish Castle hotel, this old coachhouse has been fully restored and refurbished and offers wonderful two-bedroomed Mews equipped with every modern comfort.

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Testimonials

My husband treated me to a fabulous break here for my big birthday. An amazing experience, staff are really lovely and extremely helpful. A concierge service is available to take guests from the Castle to the Lodge which was extremely appreciated. Food and service in Snaffles restaurant was the best I have had. We were in the Room of Calm, which is amazing, with a Jacuzzi bath with a difference. Thank you to all the staff at the Castle and Lodge for making the experience so memorable

Kerry

Our wedding all went perfectly and better than we could ever have thought. It was great from start to stop and honestly couldn't have went any better! You were great from start to finish, the guys in reservations couldn't have helped anymore and John on the day was an absolute gent and made sure everything ran perfectly, along with all the rest for the staff. We couldn't be any happier with how the day turned out and every single guest was amazed at the place and complimentary on everything from the venue, to the food, the bedrooms, decor and the staff. It truly was perfection all round so thank you and all the guys again.We can't wait to get booked in again and will definitely be back next year.

Steven and Charlotte

I would urge anyone who hasn’t visited yet to stay. Simply beautiful setting, very welcoming staff with a personal service and delicious food at Snappers restaurant. No wonder it has won many awards. The Castle itself really does take you back to what it would have been like to live here in days gone by and with the lake on its doorstep you can simply sit back and immerse yourself in the magical experience and wonderful views.

Martina

Our wedding day was like a dream come true. We are so proud of our day and the feedback from our guests has been nothing but positive. My vegan guests commented that they have never had such a fabulous meal at a wedding- the food was outstanding for them. We were blessed with the weather too for photos and John was a great help during this. It's the most beautiful location. Helen, we are over the moon about our day, the venue was beautiful and I would highly recommend Castle Leslie Estate as a venue to anyone. My parents feel exactly the same. Thank YOU so much. You were an absolute joy to work with and made us feel valued and important. Can we please do it all again??

Katie and Michael

Excellent experience everyone was so welcoming to us from the moment we walked into the Castle, we met a very helpful manager who gave us a guided tour of the castle, and all the staff couldn’t have been friendlier to us! We then went for a drink in the lodge and got the same welcome and had the same excellent experience there also, Top class place to visit I can’t recommend it highly enough!

David

Thank you so much for everything, really it was such a perfect day and all your calmness and your amazing work in the lead up paid off hugely. We heard nothing but glowing reports from all our guests about the wedding and Castle Leslie Estate being the "best venue ever"! Those lights in the marquee were a-m-a-z-i-n-g!! Everything just flowed beautifully and we were all thrilled with how it went. Seriously, we had such a perfect time and I cannot thank you and everyone at Castle Leslie enough for making it the best day ever :)

Aoife & Hugh

My first impression of the Castle was its just amazing. Once you step inside the doors of the Castle you every need is catered for. The rooms are just stunning. The staff cannot do enough for you. We went horse riding and the experience was everything I could have hoped for and grounds were so peaceful and excellent views. It was our first time at the Castle but won’t be our last. We were given the break away for a wedding present and it was the best present we received!

Lorraine

Fabulous hotel, fabulous setting and great staff. Stayed at the Lodge in a beautiful room with balcony overlooking the stables. Breakfast was great as was food in the bar. Had afternoon tea at the castle which was lovely too and the waitress was a very friendly lady. Such a relaxing place. The Castle is just the nicest setting with the gardens, lake and boathouse and we just seen it in the snow. Would love to see it with the sun shining. Highly recommend!

Mairead