Leslie Estate
Old-world Irish grandeur meets lived-in country house. Faded aristocratic charm, genuine family heirlooms, crackling fires, and zero corporate polish. Think portraits of ancestors watching you eat breakfast — in the best way possible.
Book a Castle room rather than the Lodge if you want the full no-TV, antique-laden experience — the Lodge is more comfortable but far less atmospheric
Why It Matters
One of Ireland's most storied privately-owned estates, still in the hands of the Leslie family after 360+ years. Home to Ireland's oldest plumbed bath. Paul McCartney married Heather Mills here in 2002. Mick Jagger reportedly hid out here in the 1960s. It's a Certified B Corporation, which is rare for a property of this scale.
Castle Leslie Estate has been in the hands of the same eccentric, distinguished family since the 1660s — and you feel that history the moment you step inside. Spread across 1,000 acres of County Monaghan countryside, with ancient woodland, glittering lakes, and working stables, it's genuinely one of the last great Irish castle estates that hasn't been handed over to a hotel chain. The Castle itself has no TVs, no minibars, and no fuss — just log fires, extraordinary antiques, and 21 bedrooms unlike any others, including the oldest plumbed bath in Ireland. The Lodge next door offers a completely different vibe: a social, buzzing 50-room country house with a 2 AA Rosette restaurant on site.
Where You'll Stay
16 room types available
Aggie's Heritage Room
Named after Agnes Bernelle — wartime secret agent, cabaret legend, and Desmond Leslie's first wife. A stylish Castle room with beautiful views of Glaslough Lake.
Blue Master Room
Elegant blue-walled Castle bedroom with a canopied bed, white marble fireplace, antique desk, and traditional lamps. Framed artwork lines the walls.
Chinese Master Room
Floral wallpapered Castle room with a large bed, red headboard and pillows, fireplace, vintage furniture, and red curtains. Chinoiserie-influenced decor.
Desmond's Master Room
Spacious Castle room with purple carpet, a large bed, fireplace, two armchairs, sofa, and large windows with dark curtains. Named after the late Desmond Leslie.
Green Master Room
A vintage-feeling Castle room with a single canopy bed, antique desk and mirror, large bay windows, sofa, and views out over the green estate.
Heritage Room of Calm
The name says it all. A serene Castle heritage room with a mural of trees on the wall, large bed, and neutral tones. Features a Jacuzzi bath.
Lodge Classic Bedroom
The Lodge's entry-level room, decorated with period features and animal artwork above the headboard. Spacious bathrooms with roll-top baths and separate power showers throughout the Lodge.
Lodge Jigsaw Superior Room
A distinctive Lodge superior room with pale green walls, beige armchairs, wooden coffee table, and a large bookshelf filled with books and decorative items. Has a sitting area feel.
Lodge Superior Bedroom
More spacious than the classic, with green walls, double bed with green bedding, armchair, bookshelf, and — in some units — doors opening directly onto a garden patio or balcony overlooking the Equestrian Centre.
Mauve Master Room
A lavender-themed Castle bedroom with floral curtains, a canopy bed, armchairs, a vanity, and vintage decor. Tall windows let in excellent light. Classic grand-country-house feel.
Old Stable Mews
Two-bedroom self-catering mews cottages set within a picturesque cut-stone courtyard in a quiet corner of the estate, a 15-minute walk from the Castle. They come with a living area and kitchen, so great for families or groups who want more space and privacy while still accessing all estate facilities.
Red Master Room
Ornate room with a carved four-poster bed, red bedding and curtains, antique wooden furniture, and framed art on grey walls. Bold and unapologetic.
Shane's Heritage Room
Romantic Castle heritage room with a canopy bed, velvet chaise lounge, marble-topped coffee table, and a freestanding bathtub. Warm lighting and large curtained windows.
The Eagle's Nest Master Room
Elegant Castle room with a four-poster bed and a freestanding copper bathtub visible through an arched doorway — one of the estate's signature bathroom moments.
The Nursery Heritage Room
A quirky Castle heritage room with twin beds, striped armchairs, a desk by the window, and — the real talking point — a complete bathroom hidden inside a doll's house built into the wall.
The West Wing Suite
A two-storey, two-bedroom suite in the Castle — the most dramatic space on the estate. Eclectic decor with a four-poster bed, gold palm tree lamps, patterned wardrobes, and upholstered chairs. Genuinely over-the-top in the best way.
The Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Archery sessions available on the estate.
Clay pigeon shooting on the estate grounds. Safety equipment and instruction provided.
Hands-on falconry sessions on the estate grounds with barn owls and hawks. A genuinely unusual experience that's become one of the estate's signature pursuits.
Pike fishing on the estate's glittering lakes. The estate sits alongside several lakes in the Monaghan drumlin landscape.
A rotating artwork exhibition area within The Lodge, showcasing works available to view during your stay.
A world-class equestrian centre set within the 1,000 acres. Guests can hack through the estate's ancient woodland, learn to cross-country, jump, or work on dressage with expert instructors. Beginner lessons available for riders 7 years and up. Equipment can be provided if you don't have your own gear.
Multi-day equestrian packages designed for intermediate to advanced riders. Packages include 3 hours of riding per day over 3 or 4 days, with expert tuition in jumping, cross-country, and dressage.
Horse-drawn carriage rides through the estate. A popular activity for weddings and romantic breaks.
Arranged picnic lunches in the woodlands, organised by the kitchen team.
Exceptional walking trails across the 1,000-acre estate, taking in ancient woodland, the Walled Garden (dating from 1850), the Pinetum, Gothic Lodge, building ruins, St. Salvator's Church, and an Integrated Wetlands project.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Dedicated meeting and conference spaces available, including a marquee-style event tent and formal meeting rooms with period decor.
Available throughout the Castle, Lodge, and Old Stable Mews — in all public areas and bedrooms.
Children's playground on the estate grounds.
A historic Walled Garden dating from 1850, accessible as part of the estate walking trails.
Open fireplaces crackle throughout the Castle public rooms and in many Castle bedrooms.
In-room champagne service and private picnic arrangements available on request.
On-site tennis and basketball courts available to guests.
Castle Leslie Estate is a Certified B Corporation — one of the few Irish hospitality properties to hold this certification, reflecting commitments across environmental and social governance.
A buggy/concierge shuttle service operates between the Castle and the Lodge, particularly useful at night on unlit estate paths.
Sauna facility within The Victorian Treatment Rooms at the Lodge.
Two outdoor hot tubs as part of The Victorian Treatment Rooms. Must be booked in advance.
BUILD YOUR CASTLE LESLIE ESTATE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning