Ex-Beatle expected to marry in Ireland

Co Monaghan may play host to Sir Paul McCartney's wedding.

Co Monaghan may play host to Sir Paul McCartney's wedding.

Tuesday is thought to be the most likely date for the 59-year -old Beatle's wedding to former model Heather Mills (34). The venue is expected to be the Castle Leslie estate in the village of Glaslough.

Some locals, however, are expecting the wedding to take as place as early as this weekend.

An English-based security firm is already in place around the estate to keep the media away.

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A few determined photographers have hired a helicopter. This could involve some risk, however, as the estate is only half a mile from the Border, where British army helicopters are based.

McCartney's ancestors hailed from Co Monaghan. He has visited their graves in recent years.

The Castle Leslie estate has been home to the Leslie family since the 1700s.

Last month RTÉ featured 84-year-old Sir Jack Leslie in a documentary following his adventures at discos, not only in Ireland but also in Spain.

Sir Jack's brother, Desmond Leslie, wrote on UFOs and the supernatural. The Leslie family were cousins of Sir Winston Churchill, who was baptised in the church on the grounds of the Leslie estate.

The estate boasts three lakes and rolling parkland.

The Castle has no telephones, televisions, or clocks in the bedrooms, but has lots of hot water, heating and fabulous bathrooms. While the venue is open almost all year round, its phone was in answer-phone mode last night.