Lost in Ireland: Living like a king on a peasant’s budget
Every now and then, in our ordinary lives, we must make a few days fairytales.
Growing up, I watched a lot of Disney movies. I pretty much had them all. For as long as I can remember, I was accustomed to watching princes and kingdoms, faraway lands and happily ever after’s. Like any other kid, I would watch in admiration, wondering what it would be like. I had an imagination that was larger than life and it expanded much further than the four walls of a classroom. I was often daydreaming, building forts with friends and make-believing about other worlds. So why not make this childhood dream a reality? Here’s how I created my own fairytale experience, without breaking the bank.
Activity: Ireland’s School of Falconry at Ashford Castle
Cost: 100 € for the ‘extended hawk walk’, which is a 1.5-hour walk followed by a visit with the resident owl. The more people that join, the cheaper the price. You can also do the 1-hour walk which is cheaper. It’s a really unique experience and you get to spend a few hours on the incredible castle grounds. You can easily make an entire morning/afternoon of the experience.
There was a period in time where only kings flew falcons. According to Wikipedia, “Falconry was a popular sport and status symbol among the nobles of medieval Europe, the Middle East, and the Mongolian Empire”. Ireland’s School of Falconry (founded in 1444) is the perfect recreational activity and the noblest of sports, fit for a king (or queen). Located at the beautiful Ashford Castle estate, I could already feel a sense of nobility when I arrived. Ashford Castle is a beautiful, historic castle nestled between woodlands and surrounded by the beautiful Irish countryside. The castle operates as a luxury hotel.
“Chin up, Luis. Pretend there is a book on top of your head. Don’t slouch. Today you’re a king”
The school offers a one-hour private falcon walk where you are able to fly your own falcon around the beautiful castle grounds. There is also an option for an ‘extended walk’, which is a bit longer and allows more time with these amazing creatures. I opted for the extended walk. At the end of the extended walk, I met the resident owl, Sir Dingle (ok, I added the ‘sir’ but look at him!). I was able to experience flying an owl as well.
During the walk, you learn about the falcons, you feed them and you really get to engage and interact with them. It’s not just a quick fix for a photo op. You literally walk through the woodlands and watch these majestic creatures fly and feed. They are so agile and powerful.
“Just a daily stroll through my palace, flying my falcons,” I thought to myself. “No big deal”.
Pictured: Sir Luis De Cabrera, Lord of the Caribbean Seas & Lord Rikki Arthur Gibshire, Duke of Scotland. Just gallivanting around like the princes we are doing prince-like things in a prince-like fashion.
Does it get any more fairytale than this?
Why yes. Yes it does. Read on.
Stay: Cahercastle in Galway (Airbnb)
Cost: $235 CDN / Night
After flying MY - *ahem* - the SCHOOL’S falcons, it was time to call it a day and bunker down in my own private castle.
Cahercastle is located about 20km from Galway, Ireland and about 1.5 hours away from Ireland’s School of Falconry. The castle was built in the late 1400’s and has been beautifully restored for those that fancy washrooms and running water.
Today, it is an Airbnb. For a mere $225 (the amount you would pay for a cheap to mid-level hotel), you can stay in your own castle. It doesn’t get better than this, folks. The castle feels rich with history and if the walls could talk, I’d be curious to hear what these ones would say.
We were greeted by Pete, the castle owner, who had a positive energy about him and his love for the castle was evident through his passion for it.
The castle is by no means fancy or elegant like some higher end hotels, and I was totally ok with that. It’s rustic, and kitschy and almost feels like a cottage inside. There are cobwebs on the chandeliers and it feels like the real deal. It was more of a ‘Game of Thrones’ castle and not so much a ‘Buckingham Palace’, if you catch my drift. There are two upper levels that are part of the Airbnb and once you get the fire going, it gets nice and cozy. It was definitely a highlight in Ireland and something to check off the bucket list. Staying in my own private castle? Check.
Life can sometimes be mundane and repetitive. We are all doing our best to get by and in the process, we sometimes forget to really take care of ourselves. I knew that after my trip, I would be back to the daily grind but for a day and a half, I realized a childhood dream. I encourage you to get lost. Explore. Every now and then, make a few days a fairytale with whatever means you’ve got. That doesn’t necessarily mean booking a flight across the world. Draw yourself a bath, treat yourself to a facial, light that scented candle. Treat yourself like the king (or queen/qween) that you are.
