DROMOLAND SCHOOL OF FALCONRY HAWK WALK
Dromoland Castle was once the ancestral home of the O’Brien clan and has since been transformed into a luxury 5-star hotel. A 450-acre estate awaits you, complete with an 18-hole championship golf course, spa, dining options, and many activites, including one of my favorites – falconry! The falconry experience is on the castle’s property, but is independently operated by the Dromoland School of Falconry.
Dromoland Castle Hotel
We did not have to stray far to begin our adventure, as a falconer from the Dromoland School of Falconry met us right outside the lobby’s entrance. We were able to spot him by the lovely Harris’s hawk named Aria perched on his arm! In front of the gorgeous façade of the castle, our falconer began to teach us about Harris’s hawks. He was extremely passionate not only about his job but also about hawks, and shared a ton of interesting information with us. We then each got one glove and made our way into the woodlands on the castle grounds.
Next we each had the opportunity to hold Aria! Aria’s talons are quite sharp, but with the leather glove, we could only feel the weight of her adorable one-to-two-pound body. It is important to lift your hand as these birds like to be at the highest possible point. If you lower your hand and it is no longer the highest point for them, these birds will start to climb up – leaving your leather glove!
CJ & Aria
Once in the midst of the forest, Aria flew off to the surrounding trees, and was called back to us with enticing scraps of food that sat in our gloves. No other bird of prey is known to hunt in groups like the Harris’s hawks, and as they have been increasingly used in falconry, they are quite social and are easier to train compared to some other raptors.
Aria, the Harris’s hawk
After a couple of flights and landings on our gloves, we returned Aria to her perch at the school. One of the best parts of this experience was meeting the other birds that call the school their home! We met and were able to hold a peregrine falcon and two different types of owls. Our falconer really took the time to educate us on each bird of prey, even spending additional time with us and making the experience feel very special. We have had one experience in the United States that was a group falconry experience, and having a private excursion was SO much better.
a peregrine falcon at the Dromoland School of Falconry
Our hawk walk was fun, educational, and a really unique way to spend time on this property full of rich history. We left with wonderful memories, plenty of photos, and CJ even left with a hat from the Dromoland School of Falconry to commemorate our time there! (To avoid disappointment, please book your falconry experience in advance.)
CJ with his new hat & Pickles, the barn owl
