Ireland's School of Falconry, Ashford Castle
Meet Samradh the Harris Hawk - the bird equivalent of an F16 Fighter Jet!
Steve McPhilemy reports on a day-trip to Ireland's School of Falconry; deep in the dense woodlands around Ashford Castle in Cong, Co. Mayo in Western Ireland.
Harrison at the Ireland School of Falconry, Ashford Castle, Cong Ireland
In which Harrison is introduced to a Harris Hawk.
Ireland School of Falconry, Hawk walk, Cong Ireland September 27th 2019
Hawk Walk 2019
School of Falconry at Ashford Castle Ireland
During our stay at the Ashford Castle we booked a falconry excursion at Ireland’s School of Falconry located with in the Ashford Castle’s grounds. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We felt we learned quite a bit about falconry and learned to really appreciate these fascinating birds.
Hawk Walk at Ireland's School of Falconry at Ashford Castle
We signed up for the Hawk Walk at Ireland's School of Falconry near Ashford Castle and loved every second! See here:
School of falconry - Ashford or Cong castle - Ireland
Ireland School of Falconry
Dot flying Harris Hawk at Achford Castle. Cong Ireland.
Feeding the Hawks at Ireland's School of Falconry
This clip is a good example of why I’m so thankful there is a world of firsts still out there for me...like falconry. One of the top experiences so far on our Best of Ireland in 14 Days Tour was today’s visit to Ireland's School of Falconry, where a great guide took our tour group on a Hawk Walk.” For about an hour, we wandered through the enchanting grounds of Ashford Castle (just outside of Cong, north of Galway). Our hawk enjoyed 50 nibbles, as each person in our group got two tosses and two catches. With each toss, the glove was rotated to the next tour member, our guide tucked a little chicken meat in the padded palm, and the hawk knew just where to return.
These are the kind of experiences and memories we organize many times every day on Rick Steves' Europe Tours. That’s why most people in our group are return travelers...many of them on their fourth or fifth Rick Steves tour. And we leave a lot of very fat hawks in our wake.
(This is Day 73 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences across Europe. Still to come: England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Follow along at
Steve McPhilemy tries a Hawk-Walk at Ireland's School of Falconry
Travel expert Steve McPhilemy and a bunch of American tourists try a Hawk-Walk at Ireland's School of Falconry with 2 beautiful Harris Hawks, the bird equivalents of F16 Fighter Jets.
During the walk in the lush forests around Ashford Castle (Ireland's premier 5 star Hotel) one of the Hawks does a kamikaze-dive, kills a mouse and swallows it whole! much to the shock of some horrified tour-participants.
We'd love to say 'no animals were injured in the filming of this piece' but...
check out Steve's review of the Ireland School of Falconry at
daytoursworld.com/blog
The HQ for things to do
Ireland360 (9 of 16) Ireland School of Falconry (Cong) – Sept. 10, 2015
Opportunity to experience the sport of Falconry with a Harris Hawk and an Owl
Ireland School of Falconry
Ireland School of Falconry Dingle the Owl
Ashford Castle
Cong, Co. Galway, Ireland
Irish Falconry School, Ashford Castle, Ireland.
Milly ( female Harris Hawk), Irish Falconry School at Ashford Castle, Ireland. Cannemara
School of Falconry, Ireland V
School of Falconry, Ireland V
Ireland Falconry School
Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland
Ireland: Falconry School - Joseph Family Vacation
Joseph Family vacation 2016 - Ashford Castle in Cong has falconry sessions through the Ireland School of Falconry
Falconry at Ireland's School of Falconry
A quick video of our falcons being recalled and then being dispatched.
Launching Hawks at Ireland's School of Falconry in County Mayo, Ireland
Part Two of our Honeymoon in Ireland.
Created with Wondershare Filmora
Irish School of Falconry
In September of 2014, my wife and I paid a visit to The Irish School of Falconry where she was able to fulfill a longtime dream of flying a bird of prey.
School of Falconry at Ashford Castle
A little glimpse of the falconry experience at Ashford Castle in Ireland.
Practicing Falconry with Joyce the Harris Hawk at Ireland School of Falconry
During my trip to Ireland, I visited the Ireland School of Falconry in the Village of Cong, County Mayo. I experienced the ancient field sport of falconry with Joyce, the Harris Hawk. I fed her meat after she went out on a flight and returned to my gloved hand. She weighed around a pound. She has a 4 ft wingspan. It was the most exhilarating bird experience in my life - to feel the power, see the flying prowess, and essence of this incredible bird of prey.