old post - Castle Leslie

Last Friday we drove north to Castle Leslie. We stopped for lunch in Monnahan and knew we were close to Northern Ireland because there was a Sinn Fein office in town - the conflict is dormant, but still interesting to think about. We arrived at Castle Leslie and were instantly enchanted with the grounds and buildings. An absolutely beautiful place in an amazing setting. Everything was so green - truly the emerald island! We stayed at the old Stable Mews - a short distance from the castle past the happiest horses on earth....beautiful pastures full of gorgeous horses that come to the fence to say hello when you walk by. The wedding was held at St. Tierney’s church in Northern Ireland - the kids didn’t believe that we were in a different country! No euros - just pounds! After a very touching ceremony, we went back to the Castle for a fabulous party - laying our heads on the pillows some time after 3am! It was fantastic to experience an Irish wedding - the main difference being the length of the festivities and the complete second round of food at midnight. Aidan was chosen to be an alter boy for the ceremony and he did a wonderful job helping the priest (Joanne's uncle!) light candles and bless the wedding rings with holy water. We were very proud of him. The wedding and reception were incredibly tasteful and elegant - just like the bride and groom. Patrick and Joanne are a wonderful couple and we are so happy for them.

Staying at Castle Leslie with Doug, Georgia, Leanna, Brad, Laura, Mary, Rudy and all the cousins was fantastic - so wonderful to see everyone after a long summer away. On our last day we were given a tour of the castle - many great artifacts and some stardom - Paul McCartney had his wedding at Castle Leslie and Mick Jagger, W.B. Yeats and other famous people stayed there as well. One artifact was called the "Bloody Shroud" - it looked like a red painting behind glass, but we learned that it was actually a cloth used to wrap a head that was severed at London Tower after the victim refused to convert from a catholic to a protestant, proclaiming before his beheading that "the price is too high" - quite a story!