Castle Leslie Estate
Certification: Green Hospitality Gold County: Monaghan (Glaslough) Type: Castle estate hotel, self-catering lodge, equestrian centre
Castle Leslie Estate holds Green Hospitality Gold certification, independently audited against Ireland’s hospitality sector sustainability standard. The estate is one of the last great private estates in Ireland: 1,000 acres of unspoilt countryside in County Monaghan, surrounding a Victorian castle that has remained in the same family for over 300 years.
Green Hospitality Gold means the estate’s operations have been assessed across energy management, water usage, and waste reduction to an independently verified standard. For a property of this scale and historic character, achieving Gold certification reflects genuine commitment to sustainable operation.
The Certification
The Green Hospitality Programme is Ireland’s own environmental certification for the hospitality sector, developed specifically for Irish hotels, guesthouses, and estates. Gold certification requires demonstrated performance across energy, water, and waste criteria, independently audited. It is one of the few Irish hospitality certifications with a third-party audit process.
The Estate
Castle Leslie Estate covers 1,000 acres of woodland, parkland, and lakes in County Monaghan. The castle itself was built in the 1870s and sits at the centre of the estate, overlooking Glaslough Lake. The landscape is genuinely unspoilt: woodland walks, fishing, the lake, and the working estate create an environment that is rare in modern Ireland.
Monaghan is rarely on the eco tourism circuit. Castle Leslie Estate is the argument for why it should be.
Accommodation
The estate offers several accommodation options across its 1,000 acres.
The Castle: Victorian rooms and suites within the main castle building. Each room is different, furnished with original antiques and period details. This is not a refurbished hotel with heritage theming. It is a castle that has been carefully adapted for guests while preserving its genuine character.
The Lodge: A more contemporary hotel building on the estate, suited to guests who want the landscape and estate access without the castle atmosphere. The Lodge has a spa and leisure facilities.
Self-catering cottages: Private cottages on the estate grounds, suited to families and small groups wanting independence alongside estate access.
Equestrian and Activities
Castle Leslie is one of Ireland’s most celebrated equestrian centres. The equestrian school offers lessons and treks across the estate and surrounding countryside. Combined with fishing on Glaslough Lake, woodland walking, and the estate’s historic atmosphere, the activity offering is genuinely distinctive.
Practical Information
Location: Glaslough, County Monaghan Distance from Dublin: Approximately 130km north Booking: Book via Booking.com or directly
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Why EcoStay Ireland Lists This Property
Green Hospitality Gold certification on a 1,000-acre historic estate in a county that eco tourism has largely bypassed. For travellers willing to go beyond the established eco tourism counties, Castle Leslie offers something genuinely extraordinary in a setting that holds its own against anywhere in Ireland.
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