Castle Leslie Estate in Glaslough, Co. Monaghan is celebrating a momentous achievement after securing two prestigious awards at this year’s Virgin Media Gold Medal Awards.
Recognised for its exceptional hospitality, historic charm and commitment to excellence, the esteemed estate proudly took home Gold for Ireland’s Favourite Place to Stay and Silver for Ireland’s Castle & Heritage Wedding Excellence.
The Gold Medal Awards, which are widely regarded as the pinnacle of excellence in Irish hospitality, honour the very best in the industry. Winning Ireland’s Favourite Place to Stay in Ulster and to have received the coveted Overall Gold Award for Ireland’s Favourite Place to Stay, as voted for by the public, highlights Castle Leslie Estate’s unwavering dedication to providing an unparalleled guest experience.
The Silver accolade in Ireland’s Castle & Heritage Wedding Excellence reinforces its reputation as one of the country’s most enchanting wedding venues. Known for its stunning 1,000-acre estate, breathtaking lakeside views and exceptional service, Castle Leslie Estate continues to be a dream destination for couples seeking a truly magical setting for their special day.
“We are absolutely delighted to have received these prestigious awards,” says Castle Leslie Estate CEO Brian Baldwin.
“These accolades are a testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of our entire team. We strive to create unforgettable experiences for our guests, while also being responsible custodians of our beautiful estate.”
One of the last great Irish Castle estates in the hands of its founding family, Castle Leslie Estate continues to uphold its legacy of excellence and charm. These latest awards further cement its place as one of Ireland’s most beloved and esteemed hospitality destinations.
Steeped in history, Castle Leslie Estate will be operating as a hospitality business for 35 years in 2027. What started out as Tea Rooms has developed into one of Ireland’s leading luxury hotel estates. This would not have been possible without the hard work, commitment and devotion of the team which has grown to 260.
“There are still members of the team working with us that were here at the very beginning,” Castle Leslie Estate General Manager Kevin Kenny explains.
“There is no one person that makes Castle Leslie Estate what it is. It is a mix of all the team, past and present, from our Custodian Sammy Leslie and our CEO Brian Baldwin, who give us the support and flexibility to do our jobs, to our grassroots team and senior management team who have been here between three and 33 years.”
Kevin, who has been in his role since 2009, adds: “We pride ourselves on our team’s dedication to excellence and their incredible hard work in establishing Castle Leslie Estate as a premier destination, celebrated for its unique charm and exceptional service. Castle Leslie Estate is not just another business. We are very much ingrained in the community, having formed local partnerships that have evolved over the years. We are passionate about our people, our guests, our environment and the protection of it.”
The Gold Medal Awards are just the latest in a long list of accolades bestowed upon the beautiful border estate. In February, Castle Leslie Estate was named as one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces 2025 by Great Place to Work™ and also Best Workplaces™ for Health & Wellbeing 2025, recognising its outstanding commitment to employee wellbeing, workplace culture and professional development. Castle Leslie Estate was placed 27th in Ireland’s Best Medium Workplaces 2025 across all industries.
Furthermore, Castle Leslie Estate was crowned both the Culinary Haven of the Year and Supreme Winner at the Good Food Ireland Awards recognised for providing an outstanding experience. As a premier food and drink destination, it showcases culinary excellence by highlighting the finest local Irish
produce.
Other recent awards include: Failte Ireland Gold ‘Outstanding Employer’ accreditation; overall winner of the National Tourism / Hospitality award at Ireland’s Climate Change Leadership Awards; winner of Best Equestrian Centre at the Northern Ireland Equine Awards; Ulster Luxury Hotel Restaurant of the Year for Snaffles Restaurant at the Yes Chef Awards; and Gold for Excellence in Accommodation Standards and Overall Sustainability at the Irish Accommodation Services Institute Awards.
Consistency is key to achieving success at Castle Leslie Estate which focuses on the following:
There are three accommodation offerings at Castle Leslie Estate – The Lodge, The Castle and The Old Stable Mews. The Lodge, which is a 50-bedroom hotel, is the hub of the estate, housing the fine dining restaurant, Snaffles, Conor’s Bar & Lounge as well as their spa, The Victorian Treatment Rooms. It is adjacent to their world-class Equestrian Centre, making it ideal for those wishing to explore the estate on horseback.
Boasting authentic interiors and old-style hospitality, The Castle is a 21-bedroom Country House overlooking Glaslough Lake. It exudes old world grandeur and offers complete respite from the world.
The Castle is not a typical hotel experience. It has many reception rooms for guests to unwind and relax in, from the drawing room with a Bechstein Piano which is over 100 years old, to a stunning Della Robbia Fireplace which dates back to the 1490s. Other reception rooms include The Blue
Room, The Conservatory, The Long Gallery, Billiards Room and Library. The Castle also boasts a Pavilion which caters for private functions for up to 260 people, providing a unique event space.
The Old Stable Mews offer the convenience of hotel living, combined with private luxury home rental. The 12 two-bedroom self-catering units are set within a picturesque cut-stone courtyard in a quiet corner of the estate. In addition to horse riding, other activities which Castle Leslie Estate offers are boating, fishing, falconry, clay target shooting, archery, walking trails and spa treatments.
WEDDINGS
The ultimate wedding venue, Castle Leslie Estate’s wedding packages are very much bespoke and centred around what couples are looking for. There is a dedicated team onsite to take prospective clients through the process and show what the estate has to offer as a wedding venue.
Part of the charm of having any
private event at Castle Leslie Estate is that The Castle and all its 21 bedrooms are exclusively yours for the day and night. This is something unique and creates a really special experience for guests.
“Castle Leslie Estate is rich in history and offers a very genuine authentic experience. It is a home away from home, where people feel they are a million miles away from anywhere. It’s not your standard hotel,” Kevin concludes.
Castle Leslie Estate has been in the Leslie family since 1665 when it was sold by Sir Thomas Ridgeway to the Bishop of Clogher John Leslie, who died six years later at the age of 100. The original deed to the Castle is still in the family archives.
This article was published in Hotel & Tourism Magazine, Summer 2025, Vol 1 No 1
Castle Leslie Estate, featured
