Castle Leslie

Introduction
Monaghan Ireland
A secluded and private estate in Co. Monaghan nestled on 1,000 acres of undulating Irish countryside, dotted with ancient woodland and glittering lakes, Castle Leslie Estate is one of the last great Irish Castle estates still in the hands of its founding family. 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; all the time making their home into one of the finest luxury Castle hotels Ireland has to offer..

The Castle, at the heart of the Estate, offers authentic original interiors and old-style hospitality and is a complete respite from the world.  It is rich in unspoiled rural splendor and breath-taking artifacts.  A haven of tranquility, you won’t find televisions, radios or minibars within the bedrooms. The Castle features twenty unique bedrooms and bathrooms - whether your idea of heaven is a romantic boudoir designed with relaxation and privacy in mind or flamboyant room decorated with rich deep colours, there’s a room to suit your tastes.

The Lodge is the social hub of the Estate and brings locals and guests together in an atmosphere of conviviality and comfort. It offers a completely different experience to that of the castle. Complete with 29 rooms - each of which remain true to the building’s original structure - and buzzing with activity, there is plenty to keep yourself occupied at the boutique, country house style Lodge. The Old Stable Mews and Village Houses are the perfect spot for groups that want the convenience of hotel living combined with private self catering.

The Castle Leslie Equestrian Center is the perfect location for a horse-riding holiday in Ireland. It is the perfect place for adventure and offers an idyllic setting for horse enthusiasts visiting Ireland. Imagine over a thousand acres of rolling hills, parkland and lakes to explore on horseback. Combine fun and thrilling cross-country riding with relaxing trail rides in the countryside and come home to luxury accommodations each day to unwind! As one of Europe’s finest equestrian playgrounds, Castle Leslie Estate offers memorable horse riding holiday experiences for riding enthusiasts of all levels.  So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, Castle Leslie Estate is the place for you.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the lodge or the castle.



Hunting Lodge 
Located at the entrance of the Estate, the Hunting Lodge is the social hub of the Estate, the ideal spot to relax with family, friends or new acquaintances. The Lodge at Castle Leslie Estate, 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 cozy and charming accommodation. Each bedroom has been decorated in keeping with the building's period features and designed with comfort in mind. Our 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 favorite book. Our classic bedrooms in the original building and stables are decorated in a cozy, traditional style while the ones in the newer wings are more contemporary in style. All bedrooms contain a king-sized bed or two twins, private bath with Victorian roll top bath and separate shower, and a TV.
All of our packages are confirmed in Superior rooms unless you prefer to stay in one of the classic bedrooms (very charming).

Buzzing with activity, there’s always something going on at the Lodge. 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 – the perfect place to luxuriate in a relaxing massage following an activity-filled day. Wireless internet access is available in all public areas in the Lodge. And if you just want to escape with your newspaper or book or enjoy a game of scrabble with your partner, there is an abundance of nooks and crannies and common areas in which to do so.



Castle Leslie - when available we are happy to reserve a room at the castle at no extra charge.
With its authentic interiors and old-style hospitality, the Castle at Castle Leslie Estate exudes old world grandeur and offers complete respite from the world. The Castle is not a typical hotel experience – you won’t find televisions, radios, or minibars in the Castle bedrooms. However, we do offer all of our guests complimentary WiFi in all public areas and bedrooms in The Castle.
The unique and dramatically different bedrooms are tranquil and calm – havens for sleeping and dreaming. The Castle is filled with beautiful furniture, antiques and heirlooms. It has twenty original and uniquely decorated bedrooms and bathrooms. From romantic boudoirs designed with relaxation and privacy in mind to more flamboyant bedrooms decorated with rich deep colours, there’s a room and a view to suit every taste. Each bathroom is unique and features include the first plumbed bath in Ireland, a throne toilet and a complete bathroom hidden away in a doll’s house. Some baths are fabulously large, ideal for a romantic soak for two. There is no pressure  to do anything except relax and indulge yourself.

Log fires crackle in the hearths and there are several elegant rooms in which you can relax in privacy or in the company of friends. You can sneak off to a special screening in the private cinema or test your skills at the full-sized Snooker table. You may prefer to relax in the magnificent Drawing Room with its grand piano and famous De La Robbia fireplace, all these features combine making Castle Leslie Estate one of the most sought after luxury escapes in Ireland.

Room Occupancy
Triple occupancy is available in some rooms.
Single supplement is mandatory for solo travelers. 



Meals 
Included in your package are breakfast and a 2-course dinner at the O'Connors Bar. Lunches and meals at the Brasserie or at the Castle are not included.
No matter where you eat on the Estate, you will enjoy the best of classic Irish cooking.  We source regional and artisan foods locally and prepare and present them with imagination and flair.  Freshness is our by-word.  Our daily-baked breads and scones and homemade preserves are enough to tempt any guest.

Lunch is available at 1:00 p.m.
Dinner is served at 7:30 p.m.

Andrew Bradley, the Executive Chef at Castle Leslie Estate, combines years of Michelin experience and personal passion with some tried and tested delicious recipes of the past.  Cleverly re-inventing the Castle Leslie Estate Cook Book – a compilation of dog-eared family recipes dating back for centuries – Andrew has cleverly stamped a whole new meaning on the expression ‘old meets new’.  He and his team cater for all guests’ needs with style and a smile! We cater for those looking for casual dining as well as those seeking a more formal, elegant and romantic experience.  Guests can look forward to lazy breakfasts, light lunches or picnic lunches in the woodlands, Irish country cooking in the bar or brasserie and candlelit dinners and formal afternoon tea in the Castle.  So there’s little chance of anyone going hungry.

Conor's Bar at the Hunting Lodge
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 casual setting. It brings locals and guests together in an atmosphere of conviviality and comfort. Guests can unwind here after an activity filled day while enjoying relaxed conversation with friends. Or retreat to a cosy corner with the newspaper or a good book. With a variety of dishes served throughout the day, there’s something to suit all guests from hungry horse-riders and starving walking-enthusiasts to health-conscious guests on a breather between treatments at the Victorian Treatment Rooms. Seasonal dining times may vary. Please check with reception.

Snaffels Brasserie at the Hunting Lodge
At our 2 AA Rosette award-winning restaurant, you can enjoy delicious meals in a relaxed setting. Set on the mezzanine floor in the Lodge, Snaffles welcomes both residents and local guests. Snaffles is a beautiful open-plan restaurant and is light and spacious with a dramatic hand-carved ceiling and robust oak beams that blend effortlessly with a striking wall of contemporary glass. Signature dishes are cooked with superb locally sourced food which is prepared and presented with imagination and flair. Full of flavour, the diverse courses available make Snaffles Restaurant one of Monaghan’s top restaurants. Seasonal dining times may vary. Please check with reception.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


We welcome riders of all ability and age groups, as long as you are over 7 years old!

Horses
We have 27 horses including Irish sport horses, draught horses, thoroughbreds and ponies.
The horses range from the 'Baby-sitters' & 'Flying Armchairs' for the more novice or nervous rider, to typical spirited Irish hunters who provide more of a challenge for the experienced rider.
Our horses’ welfare is of paramount importance to us. Our aim is to provide an extremely high level of care to our horses and we work with a number of key suppliers including an equine chiropractor, equine dentist, farrier and vet.
All horses will be groomed and tacked up prior to the arrival of the guests. We do try and change the horses on a daily basis, but if a guest would like to ride a particular horse, we do try to accommodate this although cannot be guaranteed.

Staff
Qualified instructors up to B.H.S.I.I. lead the cross-country rides and teach all levels, making sure that everyone can make the most of their holiday with sympathetic instruction or just the right amount of encouragement for the rider who does not want 'formal tuition'.

Facilities
The Estate is nestled on 1,000 acres of undulating Irish countryside, dotted with ancient woodlands and glittering lakes. There are 21 miles of meandering bridleways on the Estate with natural and man-made obstacles spread over a wide area. In addition, riding on adjacent farmland and a competition course is available with a large number of fences to suit all levels.
The riding center is BHS, SJI & AIRE approved and has a mechanical horse for beginners.
Facilities include an indoor arena (50×30 meter) with indoor cross-country fences, a dressage ring (20 × 50 meter), an outdoor arena (30 x 20 meter) and a horse walker.

Itinerary


You can choose between 3 packages:
- Horse Sport Package: this package is for experienced English riders (Good intermediate and above) and includes daily riding of approx. 3 hours. This is a daily lesson package and includes flat work/dressage, cross-country jumping, show-jumping and trail riding.
- Happy Hackers Package: like the name implies, this is a hacking (trail riding) package for low intermediate riders and above. It includes 3 hours of riding each day.
- Learn to Ride in 5 days Package: this package is designed for beginner to intermediate riders who wish to improve their riding skills. Each rider will receive a series of daily lessons (3 hours total per riding day) culminating in a 2 hour hack (trail ride) around the estate.

On your first day, arrive early in the afternoon for an orientation ride and in time for dinner at 7.30p.m. (rooms are generally available from 6 p.m., although we will accommodate people arriving earlier if possible). The Castle asks that clients arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to their booking time.
On the first morning, you will chat over breakfast with the instructor about your riding ability, aims etc. An initial assessment of riders takes place in the indoor or outdoor schooling area on the first riding day. 

Each day, morning rides start at 10:30 am & afternoon rides at 2:30 pm.

On your last day, you can enjoy a last ride in the morning before your departure.

The Equestrian Center is located around five new courtyards and tucked behind the Hunting Lodge.
It offers the following amenities:
- 1,000 acres of private estate
- 300 cross-country jumps 
- 21 miles of meandering bridleways 
- Mile-long all-weather gallop
- 56 stables
- Mechanical Horse
- 50×30 meter indoor arena with indoor cross-country fences
- Tiered seating for 200 plus private dining/viewing room
- Lounge and showering facilities
- 20 × 50 Dressage Arena
- 30 × 20 Outdoor Arena
- Sand Gallops
- SJI approved show jumps
- Horse walker
- Lorry & trailer parking
- BHS, SJI & AIRE Approved



Non-Riders
The center provides a wide variety of programs to non-riders who can enjoy golf nearby or cycling in the surrounding countryside. Other activities that can be booked are the Spa, fishing, clay target shooting, hot air balloon ride, horse drawn carriage ride, boating, walking trails, games room, falconry, and archery. Please inquire for prices. There are numerous places of interest to visit within easy driving distance.

Rates and Dates for Castle Leslie

Dates Note: Weekends sell out early !
New opening times:
Sep-Dec 2020: Open from Thursday to Sunday only
Jan-Mar and Oct-Dec 2021: Open from Thursday to Sunday only
Apr-Sep 2021: Open Monday to Sunday (7 days per week)

Other Info
Meeting: Glaslough
Airport: Dublin /Belfast
Transfer: Dublin/Belfast

Climate:
                                                Glaslough area