Sammy Leslie facts for kids

Sammy Leslie, born in 1966, is an Irish hotel owner and a well-known person in media. She manages Castle Leslie, a large estate in County Monaghan, Ireland. This estate includes a hotel, a spa, a horse riding center, and a cooking school.

Sammy Leslie was a judge on the TV show Fáilte Towers. She has also appeared on other television and radio programs. These include The Restaurant and Conversations with Eamon Dunphy.

Sammy Leslie's Career

Sammy Leslie is in charge of the historic Castle Leslie Estate. Her family, the Leslies, have lived at this castle since 1665. When she was in her early twenties, Sammy started to improve the estate. At that time, it needed a lot of work.

Improving Castle Leslie

Sammy began by opening a tearoom. The money she earned from the tearoom helped her fix a broken roof. This was a big step in making the estate better.

Castle Leslie became famous in 2002. It was the place where Paul McCartney, a former member of The Beatles, got married. Today, the estate employs 164 people.

Television Appearances

Sammy Leslie was a judge on the TV show Fáilte Towers. This show was broadcast in August 2008. She also appeared as a guest critic on The Restaurant in November 2008. In that episode, the guest chef was Michael Healy-Rae.

Awards and Recognition

In 2007, Sammy Leslie was recognized for her business skills. She was one of eight finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This award celebrates people who create and manage successful businesses.

Sammy Leslie's Personal Life

Sammy Leslie grew up in the unique setting of Castle Leslie. She has spoken about her childhood and her family.

Family and Upbringing

On a radio show called Conversations with Eamon Dunphy, Sammy talked about her father, Desmond Leslie. He was a writer and a pilot for the RAF. She shared stories about her close relationship with him. She also spoke about her interesting family life and what it was like growing up in the castle.