Once In A Lifetime

Trends Traveler

It’s only once in a lifetime that you could say, “yeah, I rented a castle on a 1,000 acre estate for the night, where did you stay?” The fact that I can actually say that still boggles my mind. I just recently got back from my third trip to Ireland and I left still wanting more. I had stayed at Castle Leslie during my last visit and had told my travel buddy that we were going to splurge one night and not stay at the fantastic B&B’s. It was the middle of the week and we pulled up to the immaculately kept grounds of the Castle Leslie Estate, in the village of Gleslough, County Monaghahan, Ireland. Rumored to be haunted! Little did we know that we would be the only guests for the night! Now, if this were an ordinary hotel, you might think, “What’s the big deal?” But here…here their home is your home. The rule being if the door isn’t locked feel free to explore.

There are at least four floors plus the basement, and approximately 20 rooms that are all named for either the family member that used to stay in that room or for the way the room is designed. Every single one was exquisite in its own way. Upon leaving each room we would say, “That was the best one by far!” and were immediately corrected when we walked into the next one. I think I forgot to mention that because we were the only ones staying for the night we were told, “Pick any room you like.” It had already become surreal. We picked our room that overlooked the lake that they take their own sparkling water from, and decided to go see what trouble we could get into before dinner. However, dinner being a good 5 hours away they offered us tea and scones to tide us over and I never turn down tea. What was set before us, I could only shake my head in disbelief.

For the two of us to have scones and tea we sat at a table that contained 25 pieces of china and 12 pieces of silverware! I just kept thinking I’d have a full load in the dishwasher just from a snack! We explored the forests, found the world class equestrian center, and made friends with any of the horses who were curious enough to peek their heads out of their stalls. We made it back and freshened up for our 5 course dinner which began with Panapes and bread, followed by the starter, then the soup, next came the water ice (palette cleanser), finally the main course, not to be forgotten was the dessert, cheese tray, and selection of sweet tasters…my stomach hurts just writing about it. Everything was like taking a little bite of heaven until the end when it became, how much heaven can you fit in your mouth before your stomach cuts you off?

I don’t know how these people stay fit! This is what a diplomat must have felt like! We were then shown to the cinema room to watch any movie they may have had on hand, but we were too excited to see the rest of the Castle. They showed us where the shnooker table was that easily rivaled the size of a tennis court. We were shown where the two bars were on the main floor and were told to help ourselves to whatever we may have wanted throughout the night. Just write it down… Are you kidding me? I might have had a little fun with that one. Like I mentioned before, this was a 1,000 acre estate that has three lakes, a multitude of other buildings and amenities. The next day, after a very interesting breakfast, we wanted to see as much as we could. They told us were the boat house key and fishing poles were if we wanted to go row on the lake, as well as where the Wellington boots and umbrellas were if we were going to walk amidst the pastures and forests. We did the latter and it took a good three hours to get but a glimpse of the Leslie Estate.

This is a family run estate and the oldest member of the family, Sir John Leslie, also known as Papa Jack, still lives here, and we had the pleasure of meeting him and conversing with this iconic figure.

This is a man who was captured during WWII and held in a German P.O.W. camp for 5 years. Upon which he wrote his cousin, Winston Churchill, and politely asked if he could help him and the others perhaps get out of their little jam, knowing that he probably had more important matters to deal with, and ended it with a best wishes remark. Now, this is a man that they should make a movie about! He wrote a book entitled, Never A Dull Moment, The Memoirs of Sir John Leslie, two years ago at the young age of 90, and it’s just like walking back in time. Talk about a page turner! He shared his thoughts of Ireland and he seemed to make every word that rolled off his tongue sound like a poem. I could not have possibly done this man or his estate justice, but it was a once in a lifetime experience lifetime never to be forgotten. I love to travel and this trip is one I shall treasure always. If you should find your way to Ireland someday, this local girl recommends a stop at the Castle Leslie for a night!