Foreign falconers flock to Kerry village for worldwide conference on birds of prey

Hawkers and falconers from around the world have gathered in the village of Sneem, Co Kerry, for a worldwide conference on birds of prey and the ancient art of falconry.

World Falconry Day yesterday saw dozens of the 200 delegates don traditional costume before heading off for a day’s hawking. Today will see a display for locals and for children on the village green.

Some 80 countries from Mongolia to Qatar to Japan are represented and the AGM of the International Association of Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey was secured for Ireland two years ago, spokesman Hilary White said.

There are around 100 licensed falconers in Ireland, said Mr White who works with sparrow hawks.

Falconry is an ancient art, at least 5,000 years old as recorded in Persia and was originally for hunting food.

Birds were used to hunt small animals as well as other birds in the way that dogs are and were used. But the skill of falconry is very much an art form these days.

“Today it’s about seeking dramatic chases. Many a day the chase will yield nothing,” Mr White said.

Falconry birds are never pets, he said, “and only a racehorse would take more management”.

Birds were not like pet dogs, for instance. “You can earn their trust, but not affection. It is a very elusive, very special and very magical thing to earn their trust,” he said.

Around 50 birds from owls to eagles have been transported to Sneem with their owners. An African crowned eagle brought from Scotland was getting much attention yesterday.

Today, falconers, from the Steppes of Mongolia to the pampas of Brazil, will assemble and display their birds while engaging with children and the community of Sneem and the surrounds.

Ireland does not have a good history when it comes to raptors and birds of prey, with the extinction of eagles and other birds 100 years ago, although sparrow hawks are much more common than realised.

The reintroduction of the Golden eagle in Co Donegal, the sea-eagle in Killarney, the red kite in Co Wicklow was helping to right the wrongs of that history. The association sought to conserve not just its own bird species, but also the species it hunted and the habitats all depended on. Society is becoming increasingly urbanised and there is “a disconnect” with the natural world, particularly with young people. Falconry offered a very rich interconnection with the natural world, Mr White said.