Castle Leslie Equestrian Getaway

Castle Leslie, in the kingdom of Oriel, has been the Leslie family seat for over 300 hundred years. One of the most informal of the Great Houses and Estates of Ireland with a grand tradition of entertaining, just less than two hours drive from Dublin.
The Castle Leslie Equestrian Center was established nearly thirty years ago by Desmond Leslie, Sammy Leslie’s father. Like all the family, he rode from an early age, whilst dreaming of creating a place where the Horse is King. Today the family owned 1,000 acre estate is that dream, with its miles of rides through ancient woodland, gallops across open parkland, rivers to cross and lakes to paddle in. After a long day in the saddle, the guests relax and enjoy gourmet meals in a wonderful setting. Later, by the fire, they swap the stories of the days adventures and join in the local ‘craic’ (fun)! People from all over the world come to ride the Irish breed horses over natural jumps and cross country courses. It is also here that Paul McCartney was married in 2002.
And now you can even add a very Special Cooking Course while you are at the castle

IT-IRSR05-3
2007 Rates are all inclusive - except the riding program will be extra.
Daily rate  $ 675 pp   ...  Euro 500 per day

Dates: All year. The castle will close on March 13 for renovations and open up again in July 2007
Meeting:   Glaslough
Airport:     Dublin
Transfer:   ~$175 from Dublin return
Tack:         English 
Horses:     Irish Sports Horse,Connemara 
Pace:        all paces
Level:       all levels
Notes:      Facilities include a full set of show jumps, indoor school and outdoor arenas - all weather and grass.
Note:  Cooking Courses available

The Castle Estate: The estate boasts three lakes, rolling parkland and a fine covering of mature native hardwoods. Oak, Ash, Sycamore and Yew form part of the ancient woods of Truagh that goes back to Celtic times.
After a game of tennis in the pleasure grounds, enjoy a picnic basket under the boughs of a great tree or row a boat across the lake. On a lazy Summers day experience the tranquil timeless feeling of a piece of Irish heaven. In the Autumn, when the woodlands many golden hues reflect on the waters at sunset there's no more beautiful place to be than Glaslough. As nature slumbers for the winter the Castle comes in to its own with mulled wine served by roaring log fires cocooning you from the elements.
Christmas fast approaching, the Castle is decked with boughs of holly, ivy and Christmas trees from the estate. Handmade garlands sweep down the banisters, silk and tartan bows grace the hall and chimneys are readied for Santa's Visit. Then Spring bursts in to life and there are many natural walkways to follow and numerous specimen trees to see in the Pinetum and along the Lady's walk which follows the mountain river through the estate.
Take a tree walk with Sir John or fish the lake which is one of the best preserved Pike lakes in Ireland and has had many specimen fish.
Dining:
Dining in the evening is a relaxed affair with pre dinner drinks served in the Drawing Room or Fountain Garden depending on the time of year. Dinner is served in the original Castle dining room which hasn't changed in over 100 years. Guests dine at tables that have been used by the Leslie family for generations. The "a la carte" menu is based on fine fresh ingredients, many local which are simply prepared to highlight natural flavours. Dining is open to non residents but by booking only.

Activities:
Castle Leslie provides a wide variety of programs to cater for all levels of riders.
Riding options
- while staying at the castle you can participate in daily equestrian activities at the riding center near the hunting lodge. Choose from instructions in dressage or jumping, cross country course riding, or just leisure trail riding.
Qualified instructors up to B.H.S.I.I. lead the cross-country rides and also teach all levels and will make 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'. There are extensive trails on the Castle Leslie Estate with natural and man-made obstacles spread over a wide area, also riding on adjacent farmland and a competition course is available with a large number of fences to suit all levels. Please make riding arrangements before arriving. Equestrian activities will be charged separately.
Golf
Golfers have a choice of outstanding 18-hole courses at the Nuremore Hotel and Country Club outside Carrickmacross, the Rossmore golf course close to Monaghan town. There are also a number of pleasant nine-hole courses, including Clones and Mannan Castle, along with the scenic Castleblayney Golf Course at Lough Muckno.
Cycling
For the cyclist there is a maze of interesting roads away from the traffic and off the main routes. Because of the gentle terrain the cyclist will make effortless progress, heightening the sense of freedom and relaxation. Exploring by bicycle is a deeply satisfying experience and there is always a quiet village to rest and enjoy local hospitality. The Bragan scenic drive, west of Emyvale in the north of the county is of special interest.
Angling
County Monaghan is a renowned angling centre, where nature has provided a rich assortment of lakes, rivers and streams. Most visitors have returned home to tell impressive tales from all parts of the region, along with memories of good times spent among hospitable people. The angler will always receive plenty of advice from local experts, and bait, gillies, tackle and boat hire facilities are never far away.

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History:
The Leslies can trace their ancestry back to Atilla The Hun. The first Leslie came from Scotland and was a Hungarian nobleman Bartholomew Leslie who was the chamberlain and protector of Margaret Queen Of Scotland. It is through him that the family motto Grip Fast originated. While fleeing enemies Queen Margaret rode pillion on the back of Bartholomew's horse. When fording a river the queen fell off, Bartholomew through her the end of his belt and told her to grip fast the buckle. He saved the Queen's life & from that day forward she bestowed the motto Grip Fast on the Leslies. The first Leslie to come to Ireland was Bishop John Leslie who was Bishop of the Isles of Scotland. In June 1633 he was translated (it seems that only bishops and foreign languages can be translated) to Raphoe in Donegal where he built Raphoe Castle. At the age of 67 the Bishop married a young girl; Catherine Cunningham. They had five children two of whom lived to adulthood. Bishop John Leslie was known as the 'fighting bishop' and defeated Cromwell's forces at the Battle Of Raphoe. On the Restoration of Charles II, the Bishop then 90 rode from Chester to London in twenty four hours. As a reward for his loyalty the King granted him £2000. In 1665 Glaslough Castle and Demesne was sold by Sir Thomas Ridgeway to the Bishop of Clogher John Leslie. The Bishop died at the age of 100 in 1671. The original deed to the Castle is in the family archives.