Sammy Leslie

SAMMY owns Castle Leslie in Glaslough, Co Monaghan. She says:

‘MY father Desmond was a huge character. He was very spiritual and very much believed your time is your time and that dying was like simply shedding off an old overcoat and your spirit continues. When you grow up in a farm in the country, the cycle of life is so apparent — being born, growing and then slowly fading away and disappearing.

He was told before he died by a spiritual friend that all six of his children would be around him when he died. And we were. In fact, it was the first time we were ever all together.

At the time we were all over the place so it was amazing we were all with him when he passed in 2001. It was very magical because, as he said, “It’s time”, and everybody was there to say goodbye.

Our father died in France and in Irish hospitals you’re allowed to sit with the person until they slip away but in France they chase you out at night. So we went to his favourite restaurant and ordered champagne, which is what he wanted us to do. Then I saw him come in the door in his RAF uniform, look around and smile and then disappear. A number of us saw him so that by the time we got the call, we all knew. It was very beautiful.

I think he’s up there pulling strings. I do sometimes feel he is helping things to happen.

I would love him to see all we have achieved at Castle Leslie because it was everything he wanted. But his time there coincided with the Troubles.

Of course I miss him, you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t miss people. I’d love to sit down with him over a glass of wine and discuss life. But I do think I’m incredibly lucky at how it all happened.’