Our Favorite Animal Experiences in Ireland

Today we’re talking about experiences with animals in Ireland... Among other things, you’ll hear about:

- why sheepdogs are like drug addicts

- where to encounter the most aggressive sheep in the Republic of Ireland

- why a hawk show might turn you vegetarian

We recorded this in Italy, but when this episode airs in August, we’ll be in the air flying to Ireland! And we’ll be going to a couple of different animal experiences while we’re there, so we thought we’d talk about what sort of things one might find along these lines: Dogs, sheep, goats, dolphins, lots of birds, and more!

Want to know more about us and our travel services? Find us at: 

www.LittleRoadsEurope.com

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We craft small-town driving itineraries for travelers to Italy, Ireland and Scotland.

And our "alter-egos" as musicians:

www.OrsiniVirtuosi.it

Transcript

Favorite animal experiences in Ireland - podcast notes

Note: This is not a complete transcript, but rather the show notes we write in advance to prepare for the episode. 

INTRO: 

Welcome to Little Roads Unfiltered: Italy and Beyond

Today we’re talking about Irish animal experiences

Among other things, you’ll hear about…:

- why sheepdogs are like drug addicts

- where to encounter the most aggressive sheep in the Republic of Ireland

- why a hawk show might turn you vegetarian

[music up then down to 20%]

This is Matt Walker          …and I’m Zeneba Bowers - 

We’re recording while sitting on the terrace of our tiny home in Italy - so you’ll get a sense of the sounds of life in our little town - complete with church bells, cats meowing, motor scooters and trains and the town’s daily siren, and maybe… 

“ … we’ll be talking about Irish animal stories, in today’s chat - here on Little Roads Unfiltered: Italy and Beyond.”

[Music up then fade out]

For those of you who don’t know us: We are professional musicians and also travel writers and consultants, living and working here in Italy for over 6 years now. 

If you want to learn more about us and our lives, you can find us on our website LittleRoadsEurope..com, on our socials, and here on this podcast, which we’re going to do unedited, as if you’re sitting here chatting with us - 

…and by the way, the intro music ecc ecc — 

So let’s get to talking about animals in Ireland

We’re recording this in Italy, but when this episode airs in August, we’ll be basically in the air flying to Ireland! And we’ll be going to a couple of different animal experiences while we’re there, so we thought we’d talk about what sort of things one might find along these lines.

We’re always looking for these kinds of experiences with animals in Ireland, particularly pines that are run by small outfits, rescue organizations, or individuals  

Birds of Prey - falconry is all over the place (Ashford castle)

We prefer the smaller more personal options, harder to find

One guy we work with a lot, can’t talk on phone, always have to email because of the accents

(Sometimes we have more trouble understanding locals in Ireland than Italians in Italy)

(Pronunciation challenges: “TOWEL”)

Some bird places are connected to larger general animal rescue operations (goats, horses, deer, fox, ecc) 

Types of bird experiences: Some places let you fly the birds yourselves, after a demo

Sometimes done indoors for bad weather (barn type places), but usually in open field, or we like the sort of “hawk walk” experiences

Power of these animals is intense - glove covered in dried out chick parts

Being that close to these birds is extraordinary, got to pet eagle owl

Sometimes close our eyes to hear how silent they are when they fly and land

SHEEPDOG demos - we try to find small places, real working farms not tourist show spots

Dogs will run themselves to death if not controlled, one dog trainer said herding is like a drug addiction to the dogs

At one place: *We* were in a pen rather than the dogs & sheep

Can’t give them snacks 🙁 

One guy started demo with just the dogs there, a shepherd’s crook and a pile of wool in the dirt 

Sent the dog running a half mile away, and then he emerged with the sheep herd out of the woods

Sheep experiences: petting pens, they give little cup of food to feed the animals:

At ancient megalith: “Comin’ in hot!”

“hold a baby lamb”

WOOL: we learned that most Irish wool stuff not made from Irish wool (difficulty of processing, they get most from Asia or eastern Europe) 

Only a couple of places that we know, using wool actually sourced there

Alpacas - been to several different places, have to get instruction on how to hug (or not) so they don't bite, spit, kick 

Can sometimes feed them pellet things, or certain plants growing around (sometimes when you do an alpaca walk)

Wool - 

Donkey sanctuary - rescue 

Boats - seals, dolphins, whales - (in order of difficulty to see them)

We’re going on dolphin tour the day after this episode airs, assuming weather and me not getting queasy

Got seasick on that one boat, was so desperate I took drug from rando German guy

Z: First time with Matt sickness, Beaver Island boat - connection to Arranmore Island

Seal trips often in calmer inlets archipelagos ecc (also sea lions)

WHALES: Always wanted to see whales, never got to, stayed at one place where we were supposed to be able to see them, talked about it in “Lodging Disasters” episode (S1 E5)

Puffins (Matt got sick on this one too, but not seasick)

Cliffside covered in puffin shit  

OUTRO: 

I think that’s a good place to wrap it up here - we hope you enjoyed joining us for our chat about Irish animal expeirences!

If you enjoyed what you’ve heard, please give us a like or a good rating on your favorite platform, and tell your friend about us…

And don't forget our “Ask us anything”, where you can send us questions and we’ll answer them in a later episode.

We talk about a wide variety of topics here on this podcast, from travel tips to slice-of-life stories - we’ll post a new episode every Tuesday. 

So catch us next time - we’ll see you down the Little Roads… CIAO!