Why falconry should be your new favorite hobby

December 3rd, 2021

Falconry is certainly not a new fad. In fact, it dates back to 2,500 BC and is the oldest form of assisted hunting known to man. That said, it is new to many, especially Americans visiting the British Isles where falconry has remained a country house pastime for over a thousand years. If Alice, Pickles, and Alvin can’t convert Dromoland Castle guests into falconry enthusiasts, then head falconer Dave Atkinson certainly can.

Dave has created an incredible, European Association of Zoos and Aquaria-accredited mews filled with Peregrine falcons, hawks, and owls (including those beloved individuals named above). Guests go on “hawk walks” with Dave and learn about the history of falconry and get to experience the unique thrill of a bird of prey swooping low to the ground, wings spread, and alighting on their raised (and gloved) hand. Dave is a font of knowledge (not only about the birds, but also about local rock-climbing spots and surf breaks). He has been a passionate falconer since training his first sparrow hawk at the age of nine.

More recently, falconry has been tied to sustainability efforts. Like many other creatures, falcons have been increasingly threatened by habitat loss, scarcity of prey, and climate change. Falconers have long been advocates for sustainability as a means to protect these birds of prey (some of the world’s earliest avian conservation laws date back to the 14th century and were put in place to protect birds of prey). Since the 1970s when people began to notice raptor population decline, falconers have been some of the loudest voices in the conservation effort.

For a pop culture tie-in, The Rolling Stones can also thank falconry for one of their hits. Along with sharing some history about the pastime, Dave also shares the many words and phrases that are in our vernacular that come from falconry such as hoodwinked, haggard, being wrapped around one’s little finger, being fed up, being a boozer and of course, being under one’s thumb.

About Dromoland Castle

Set on 450 acres of parkland with 97 rooms and suites, Dromoland Castle dates back to the 16th century when it was home of the O’Brien family, whose lineage dates back 1,000 years to Brian Boru, one of the last High Kings of Ireland. Converted to a hotel in the 1960s, Dromoland Castle exhibits the best of its regal Irish heritage.

Rates at Dromoland Castle start at $352.

 

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