Page 97 - WDT MAGAZINE IRELAND ISSUE WINTER 2018

Ireland’s School of Falconry at Ashford

t home, seated on our patio, we love to watch
hawks gracefully circle overhead before landing
Aon our fence near the bird feeders to snatch a
tasty snack. What would it be like to get up close and
personal with these beautiful raptors, we wondered.
So when the opportunity presented itself, we quickly
joined in Ireland’s School of Falconry at Ashford to
take part in a sport around for more than 4,000 years,
A quick ride through the estate woodlands brought
us to a small complex of rustic buildings and a beauti-
ful little-thatched cottage nearby. As we entered the
school, a couple with a guide were just starting their
walk into the woods, each with a large hawk perched
on leather gloves that went up half their arms. The
couple looked excited, the bird looked excited, and we
were equally enthusiastic about our upcoming experi-
ence.
The courtyard of the falconry complex is sur-
rounded with aviary with perches spaced about eight
feet apart each holding a large bird of prey – even
a huge owl. As we walked around each bird eyed
us as we did them wondering who will be partners
for the next hour or so.

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