Page 94 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL WINTER 2024 SCOTLAND
P. 94
sizes. A resident genealogist offered one- sonal at the raptor center where we met
on-ones tracing lineage back centuries. An the two resident owls: Pickles and Owlvin,
instructor who taught a weekly introduction both resting on their outdoor perches. The
to the Irish language taught us how to pro‐ falconer told us to pet the attention-loving
nounce a few words. Hello, spelled Dia Olwvin, whose feathers were softer than
dhuit is pronounced Dee-ah gwit. the fluffiest down. We each donned a large
The castle itself was spectacular, and leather glove and followed the falconer
the public rooms had so many Waterford (with a falcon perched on her glove) to the
crystal chandeliers that I gave up counting. lawn opposite the castle. One at a time, we
Every sofa and armchair had large puffy held out our gloved hand as a falcon
pillows, and I understood why some call named Mac flew from a tree and perched
Dromoland the Castle of Pillows. My bed‐ on our fist. Mac flew so gracefully and ma‐
room was opulent, and In addition to some jestically that it was easy to see why fal‐
tasty treats, there was a complimentary conry was the sport of kings.
bottle of Meade, a delicious, sweet honey Dromoland had also arranged a food
wine which tastes like the best German tour in Galway, considered one of Ireland’s
dessert wine. friendliest cities, though for me, every city
It was time to get up close and per‐ in Ireland is the friendliest. Galway has a
94 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE WINTER 2025
