Europe Day 11: Ireland, Newgrange Falconry

Wednesday July 24, 2019

Today was Falconry day! This was the day I was most looking forward to during our whole trip.
On advice received from my Facebook travel group (Travel Miles 101) I had booked a "Hawk Walk" through Newgrange Falconry.

Details from their website about the experience:

- An insight into the ancient art of falconry

- Meeting a magnificent golden eagle

- Going on a ‘Hawk Walk’ with a caste of hawks

- Seeing a falcon flying freely to the lure in beautiful countryside

- Handling and flying an owl or two

- Getting up ‘close and personal’ and holding these magnificent birds

- Photo opportunities throughout your lesson

- Viewing of falconry equipment

- Informational talks (Questions & Answers throughout the lesson)

- Having some homemade light refreshments on the hill

There were various falconry opportunities in Ireland including one at Ashford Castle however this one appeared to be the stand out favorite and I have no regrets! It was everything I wanted it to be and more.

The day started by meeting Brian McCann and his son Carl at the Lime Kiln restaurant in Julianstown. From there we followed their van to a hilltop vista to fly the birds.

Carl and Brian McCann

First Brian showed us the golden eagles. He handled them as they have talons that could easily crush your arm, or a small skull for that matter! There was a male and a female.

Brian with a golden eagle

After telling us all about them he set them out on their perches and got out the owls. He had vermiculated owl named Cindy. She comes from sub-Saharan Africa.

Then there was a male and female pair of barn owls. The male barn owl has snow white feathers while the female has spotted feathers.

Next was a beautiful female red tail hawk.

This was followed by tea.

After our tea we were introduced to a male and female pair of Harris Hawks. They flew from fence post to fence post as we walked along the hillside, then came to perch on a gloved hand when they were offered food. We spent quite a bit of time with these Hawks.

Click for video

Carl with the Harris Hawks

Once we were finished with the hawks, Brian set us up with a special photo op with the barn owl.

The finale was meeting to the perigrine falcon. A magnificent bird!

In all, our experience took about 4 hours. Perhaps the highlight of our trip!

We drove to Swords (in North Dublin) after that to check into our next hotel, the Carnegie Court Hotel. It is situated over the Harp Bar.

We had dinner there. I ordered to the obigatory fish and chips, tried the Bulmers Irish cider, then finished off the meal with a glass of Jameson whiskey. A perfect day in Ireland.