Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate

Falconry

This long-standing tradition can be experienced on the lush grounds of Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate. Come up close and personal with a variety of birds of prey within our 138-acre estate, while guided by one of Ireland's best Master Falconers. Our offering includes both one to one private hawk walks, where guests can enjoy time with several different birds of prey, or display shows for larger groups.

Meet our Master Falconer

Jason Deasy has spent his whole life appreciating nature, which was passed down to him from his grandfather, who from a young age showed him how to live off the land and respect it.

As a teenager Jason had more books on wildlife than schoolbooks which grew his fascination of all types of animals, and in particular large predators. After a few years of travelling around the world to places such as Australia and New Zealand, Jason fell in love with another 5,000-year-old pastime, surfing. This brought to life his love for nature as he witnessed the oceans teeming with wildlife. In Sydney Zoo he fell in love with a Wedge-tailed Sea Eagle. This fascinating bird left a lasting impression on Jason, as he swore upon his return to Ireland that he would become as Falconer.

Once back in his home country, Jason found an advert for an apprentice Falconer. He called the number straight away and in a stroke of luck he was picked out of a huge number of entrants. Jason spent two years as an apprentice, learning how to train, nurture and care for a number of different animals and birds. Over the past ten years Jason has worked tirelessly in the Irish Falconry community and is now considered a Master Falconer.

Pre-booking is essential. To book email reception@glenloabbey.ie or call (091) 519 600

R2D2
Darth
Skywalker
Chewy
Yoda

R2D2

Meet The Birds

Is the barn owl on the team. Barn owls are the most widely distributed owl in the world. This specific bird originated in Ireland. They typically hunt at night like all owls they hunt by hearing as their ears are asymmetrical like a satellite dish. They are known as the farmers friend as they eat rodents and other animals considered to be pests. In recent years, these owls have been in steep decline due to poisons. This species is under the threat which is why R2D2 is a fine example of a typical barn owl, silent in flight and deadly at night, when the species is known to prey at its best.

Darth

Meet the Birds

A hybrid between an Irish peregrine and a black Ger Falcon from the Arctic and winter in Ireland. The Ger Falcon is the largest falcon and fastest of all of the different types of falcon. Darth has been clocked at over 215 miles an hour in a "stoop". His brothers and sisters are now in the far east used as racing birds. Darth is still a baby, only two years old and has a real racer temperament.

Skywalker

He is a male Harris Hawk, These are the only social bird of prey in the world. In the wild they hunt in packs like wolves. Due to this trait, you can easily train this type of a bird as they are much more susceptible to working with different people. They are one of the most versatile birds within the animal kingdom. Harris Hawks can see 8 times further than the human naked eye and can see in the ultraviolet.

Chewy

She is a Bengal eagle owl from India. They are one of the largest owls because of this they are known as the grand duke of the forest. They only fly for food, meaning on average they only fly for approximately 10% of their lives. They usually sit and wait for their prey to come to them, sitting in a branch for up to three days straight without moving. Chewy is the oldest member of the team, she is 7 years old. Although she is temperamental at times our Falconry team would not be the same without her.

Yoda

An African white-faced owl, otherwise known as a transformer owl which originate in the Congo. They are given this name because they change their shape if they see a threat or prey. If Yoda believes he can take on the threat he will make himself bigger, puffing up his feathers. If he sees a larger bird like a seagull, he will make himself smaller to camouflage himself like a piece of tree bark. Yoda does this when aeroplanes fly over head as he believes they are seagulls. Although he is actually considered to be a micro-owl, Yoda believes he is a much bigger bird.

Did you know?

A little unknown fact is that the Irish Celts were hugely familiar with the use of birds of prey to catch their food, evidence of which can be found in Irish heritage sites such in Newgrange Co. Meath dating back to 2,000BC. The first written reference to falconry in Ireland was relating to The King of Tara who was said to have two hunting Hawks. Which is why in Ireland falconry is seen as a long-standing history sport of the nobles or "The Sport of Kings".

In the Middle ages birds of prey were prised possessions and their ownership was seen as a status symbol. Noblemen hired the original dedicated falconers to care for and tend to their birds. This position of a residential falconer came with great praise and esteem. However, with the growth of gunpowder, this skill has seen a steep decline, it was easier to manage a firearm over a highly intelligent animal.

There are over 1,000 words and phrases in the English language which come from the Art of Falconry, such as:

Under the Thumb – The way the Falconer grips the bird.

Fed – up – When a bird of prey eats too much it does not want to hunt anymore.

Hoodwinked – From the special hood put on the birds.

Haggard – Older birds caught in the wild.

End of my tether – Tethers are used in training.

Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate

Falconry

Falconry