Ireland's School of Falconry
Ireland's School of Falconry
Ireland's School of Falconry
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Established in 1999 we are the oldest Falconry School in Ireland and offer exceptional Private Hawk Walk experiences where you fly our wonderful hawks in the spectacular grounds of Ashford Castle. No-one forgets the moment when their hawks first swoop down from a tree to land back on their gloved fists. Flying a hawk is a magical experience of a lifetime! We are unusual in that we train the hawks ourselves and fly them every day. We never sell them, they are much loved family members and we never part with them. This means we have many stories to tell about them as you enjoy flying them. On arrival you are greeted by your Falconry Instructor and shown around but, within minutes, you will be setting off to fly your hawks against the spectacular backdrop of Ashford Castle. We are very lucky to fly the hawks in such a stunning location, the open walkways give spectacular long flights then we move into the magical woodlands to show you the hawks agility as they zip through the trees.
Cong, County Mayo, Ireland
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Travellers' Choice
2022
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Ireland's School of Falconry
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5.0
876 reviews
Excellent
865
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9
Average
2
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0
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Tim H
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Jacob was a wonderful guide and made the experience very enjoyable with his wide knowledge of birds of prey and his love for the hawks. Never have I enjoyed a new experience so much. I highly recommend anyone to try this really cool and unique activity.
Written 5 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexandra S
Loveland, CO43 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Once in a lifetime experience. This was the most memorable experience I have had... and I would recommend 100%b IF you like / are into Hawks. Our guide, Connel, was the best and our two falcons were really good boys. I loved every min of this and will remember it forever. If you are scared or impartial to birds/hawks, do not go.
Written 21 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott M
York, PA50 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This was a 5 star experience from start to finish.
Yvonne, in the office, kept in touch with us as there were no openings available for when we were visiting the area. But she emailed when there was a last minute cancellation and fit us in.
Tommy was our wildlife biologist guide and was so amazing with his knowledge and friendly manner. Immediately made us comfortable handling the birds and understanding how they think and respond. We had 4 in our group and all had turns carrying and “launching” and “catching” the birds on our hour long walk through the woods. Tommy was able to answer our question and gave us all sorts of fascinating information.
Highly recommend!
Yvonne, in the office, kept in touch with us as there were no openings available for when we were visiting the area. But she emailed when there was a last minute cancellation and fit us in.
Tommy was our wildlife biologist guide and was so amazing with his knowledge and friendly manner. Immediately made us comfortable handling the birds and understanding how they think and respond. We had 4 in our group and all had turns carrying and “launching” and “catching” the birds on our hour long walk through the woods. Tommy was able to answer our question and gave us all sorts of fascinating information.
Highly recommend!
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B S
3 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
If you are even a little bit interested in birds this is the experience for you. Our guide, Rory, was great - very knowledgeable, friendly and great with the birds. The grounds of Ashworth Castle where the school is located were lovely but really, it's all about the birds. Fantastic!
Written 8 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary R
13 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Highly recommend this experience! Jacob was an outstanding guide as we flew Frodo and Chewy through a walking path, near the lake, and on a small forested path. Jacob was helpful, reassuring, and knowledgeable. He was laid back, but we could tell that he took his job seriously and truly enjoyed working with birds of prey. Do not miss this experience!
Written 16 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz
New York30 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
MUST DO while you are in Ireland. I recommend booking in advance as spots do fill up quickly. Tommy was our tour guide and he was amazing. Extremely knowledgeable, funny, kind. Flying these birds was incredible!
Written 8 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ann c
6 contributions
Mar 2023
I also left a review under the Ashford Castle label.. This is a great adventure with very dedicated people teaching and explaining these amazing birds. Tommy helped us and he was just so informative and interesting. This is a must-do in my opinion for any bird or animal lover.
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryRoseGrace
Bridgewater, NJ9 contributions
Jan 2023
My husband and I had a wonderful time on our Hawk Walk. Our guide/teacher was terrific. Her love and passion for her birds was remarkable. It was very, very cool to be able to handle such magnificent creatures with the help a very knowledgeable professional.
Written 2 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spisak
Novi, MI268 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We recently returned from our first trip to Ireland and wanted to share what a wonderful time we had at Ashford Castle and Ireland’s School of Falconry. The six of us decided to book the extended hawk walk (90 min). Booking and communication with the office was very easy. The day we went out was extremely windy and rainy, but we were still able to fly the hawks. Our guide was Connell, who was very knowledgeable, a great teacher and a fun guy. We were a group of 6 people with 3 hawks. The girls would fly the hawks for a while then switch and the guys would have a turn. The forest around the castle was beautiful and lush and it was beautiful watching the birds swooping through the canopy then landing on our arms when we lifted them. After our fantastic walk we went into a building where we all were able to fly an owl with with a 5 ft wingspan. It was an experience none of us will forget! We did not stay at Ashford Castle, but wanted to see it so we had lunch in the Drawing Room after our walk which was also arranged by Yvonne at the falconry school. (You cannot visit the castle unless you have a room there or dine in one of their restaurants). Thank you all for a once in a lifetime experience!
Written 30 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BuckisLove
Edmond, OK77 contributions
Nov 2022
Ask my kids what their favorite activity was on their trip to Ireland, and I am pretty sure they would say "The hawk walk!" I booked it based on reading similar things all over the web, and it truly was wonderful. Unless you are staying on property at Ashford Castle or right in Cong, it is a bit of a trip to get out there. We were staying in Galway and it was a 45-60 minute trip. We were there on a very misty and foggy day in mid November; actually a wonderfully atmospheric setting in these ancient woods with these beautiful creatures.
The instruction from the handler/escorting falconer is complete and not intimidating--just listen, following instructions, and calmly handle the birds and you will enjoy yourself immensely. The whole experience is about an hour, although you can pay for a longer walk. It was totally worth the fee, and it feels good to be supporting the care and study of these important raptors. The staff and facilities are top notch. A nice, clean restroom is available onsite at the falconry school (important for little ones after a long car ride). However, we found the school difficult to find by car on the grounds, make sure you get good, clear instructions from the staff at the gates.
The instruction from the handler/escorting falconer is complete and not intimidating--just listen, following instructions, and calmly handle the birds and you will enjoy yourself immensely. The whole experience is about an hour, although you can pay for a longer walk. It was totally worth the fee, and it feels good to be supporting the care and study of these important raptors. The staff and facilities are top notch. A nice, clean restroom is available onsite at the falconry school (important for little ones after a long car ride). However, we found the school difficult to find by car on the grounds, make sure you get good, clear instructions from the staff at the gates.
Written 30 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniela G
Bad Homburg, Germany
Hallo, ist die Einweisung mit den Tieren auch auf Deutsch?
S1974SJlaurad
Savannah, GA105 contributions
Not as far as I know. The guide I had was fluent in English, but they may have translators.
finiansbay
Versailles, France214 contributions
What is the cost
S1974SJlaurad
Savannah, GA105 contributions
It was well worth the cost and you get onto the grounds of Ashford Castle for free when you book a hawk walk.
Do you have to be a guest at Ashford Castle in order to book a hawk walk?
Kiwineens
New Zealand20 contributions
No you don't but be sure to prebook. Just Google Falconry University Ireland 👍
Trip4g
Camp Hill, PA6 contributions
What is the cost?
Art G
Saint Charles, IL99 contributions
The cost was -depending on exchange rate- $100 USD for an hour session. You walk with a Harris Hawk on a gauntlet, you stop periodically to let the hawks fly out and return. This happens numerous times on the beautiful grounds of Ashford Castle.The handler instructs and educates along the way, but you have your own raptor on your arm for an hour. I would book again in a heartbeat.
Angywells72
Hilliard, FL12 contributions
How do I book a 1 hour falcon walk?
DebH892
Saint Paul, MN32 contributions
I emailed to set up time, date, number of our group and I heard back within 24 hours each time I had a different question. Once we got there, "Mel" was out falconer and she was awesome!
feelinlucky
Boston, MA53 contributions
I am a little confused by the description. Do you just walk in the woods and the hawks follow you around or do they come and go to your arm on command and many times during the walk? It sounded to me like you start the walk with the hawks on your arm, then they fly off and follow you through the woods and then return to your arm at the end. Is that accurate? Do you really get to spend much time with the hawk near you?
Ireland's School of Falconry
3 contributions
Hello feelinlucky, thank you very much for your query. The hawks will land on your gloved fist many times throughout the Hawk Walk. The majority of your Hawk Walk time is spent with you interacting with your hawk and with the hawk near you. They will come and go approximately 15 times during an average Hawk Walk and will follow you through the woods inbetween coming to land on your arm. Does that explain things better? or is it now as clear as mud! Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions or if you would like any further information from me whatsoever. Kind regards,
Ireland's School of Falconry.
Dianne-G K
Newburyport, MA3 contributions
Can you book a falconry tour if you are not a guest of the hotel?
Ireland's School of Falconry
3 contributions
Dear DianneRoseKelly, Thank you for your query.
You do not have to be a guest of the Hotel to book a Hawk Walk, so there is no problem at all. I look forward to hearing from you and, hopefully, to flying our wonderful hawks with you soon.
Best regards,
All of us here at Ireland's School of Falconry.
aroundonce
Ossining, NY18 contributions
Hello,
Are reservations required? Can you offer a suggestion on Lodging? How would we get there from Dublin without renting a vehicle? We would be there 3-17 to 3-19, 2017; Thank you for your time! Chuck
sphunt
West Palm Beach, FL244 contributions
Reservations are required and can be made through Ashford castle. BTW, Ashford castle is a resort so you can make a reservation with them. As for how to get there from Dublin it is a 3 Hr car ride. no idea about rail or bus.
Brittany J
Tacoma, WA32 contributions
What is the age limit to be able to hold the Falcons? My son is 9 and would absolutely love to do this.
Ireland's School of Falconry
3 contributions
Hello Brittany, thank you for your query. I think your son will be fine with us at 9 years old. We have no set age limit as such because it always depends on the individual child. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any other queries whatsoever. I look forward to hearing from you and, hopefully, to flying our wonderful hawks with you soon. Best regards, Deborah Knight at Ireland's School of Falconry.
jackieforde
Galway, Ireland12 contributions
Is it wheelchair friendly?
Michelle B
9 contributions
Yes, it is. There are paved trails through the gardens and to the falconry school. I am sure if you let them know that they will bring the falcon to you. We flew with the birds in a clearing very close to the castle. It was a great time.