Restoring Roots: Breathing Life into a Living Estate | Sammy Leslie
Episode 4, Nov 20, 04:00 AM
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In this episode, Dave and Matt meet Sammy Leslie, custodian of Castle Leslie Estate in County Monaghan, Ireland - a place where history, heritage and hospitality intertwine. For over three decades, Sammy has led the restoration of the 1,000-acre estate, transforming it from near ruin into a thriving rural business rooted in sustainability and community.
They explore Sammy’s journey from growing up surrounded by generations of family stories to taking on the challenge of keeping a historic estate relevant in the modern world. From rewilding and regenerative farming to local employment and tourism, she shares how the estate has become a living ecosystem that sustains both people and place.
Together, they discuss the balance between preservation and progress, the importance of storytelling in shaping identity, and how caring for land can reconnect us with our past while building a more sustainable future.
They explore Sammy’s journey from growing up surrounded by generations of family stories to taking on the challenge of keeping a historic estate relevant in the modern world. From rewilding and regenerative farming to local employment and tourism, she shares how the estate has become a living ecosystem that sustains both people and place.
Together, they discuss the balance between preservation and progress, the importance of storytelling in shaping identity, and how caring for land can reconnect us with our past while building a more sustainable future.