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GAP OF DUNLOE, Part 2 – COUNTY KERRY – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND #discoverireland

The Gap of Dunloe

The Gap of Dunloe is truly a sight to see.  Motor car traffic is frowned upon; perhaps prohibited through the gap.  Although no one will likely stop you, you may get a sneer of two.  We didn’t really have much of a choice as our B&B was through the gap in the Black Valley.  Driving all the way around to the south wasn’t in our itinerary.  The road into the Black Valley from the south was far from a four-lane interstate too.  Avoiding motor car traffic through the gap between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. is probably a good idea as that seemed to be the busiest time for the horse and carts.

This is an extremely narrow road through the Gap of Dunloe weaves up through the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mountains.  You can see a huge boulder alongside the road in the foreground of the photo below.  Look further down the road toward the center of photo and you’ll see a pair of boulders on either side of the road.  There are several sharp turns around boulders on this road.   Be careful, go slow, watch for walkers and yield to horse-drawn traps.

Drive through the Gap of Dunloe

Horse-drawn trap

The Gap of Dunloe has long been a popular tourist attraction. The road through it is narrow, winding and is difficult for motor vehicles. A popular form of transport for tourists is the horse-drawn trap, a cart where up to four occupants sit facing each other. The traps are guided by men from families that live in and around the Gap. These ponymen use a rotation system called the Turn which determines who takes the next customers. The Turn has been in existence since the 1920s and is passed down in the families to the next generation. – wikipedia

Trusting Generosity

We had just returned from the Ring of Kerry, looping around from the east and north arriving back at the town of Dunloe on the north side of the gap.  Knowing there are no dinner options close to our B&B in the Black Valley, we decided to eat at Kate Kearney’s Cottage.  Prior to dinner we walked around the area to look at the horses and carts.  It appeared that all of the cart drivers had quite for the evening.

We were approached by a man asking us if we’d like a ride through the gap.  This sounded like a fine idea.  One hitch.  We were nearing the end of our trip and were extremely low on cash.  Backstory – our ATM cards didn’t work and we neglected to bring much cash or acquire a pin number for a credit card.  The man quoted the price, €50.  We had it, but that would leave us with very little cash for the rest of the trip.  We needed to hold on to our cash as admission to certain attractions required cash.

I explained the situation to the driver, Paul, and he said “no problem; send me the money once you get back home.”  There were several “are you sure” statements uttered, to which his response was always, “no problem.”  With a nod and gentlemen’s agreement executed will a handshake we were soon on our way.

His horse, Lucy, was already resting in the pasture.  It didn’t take long for Paul to get everything rigged up and ready.  I highly recommend this mode of transport through the gap.  You will no doubt enjoy it as much as Cyndie and I did.

After the trip, we thanked Paul for the wonderful ride through the gap.  He recorded his details on a sheet of paper so we could compensate him upon our return to the states.  And so we did along with a handsome tip.  This is just another example of how wonderful the people of Ireland are.

Dinner

After the wonderful ride we were definitely ready to have dinner at Kate Kearney’s Cottage.  I decided to deviate from fish & chips since Banger’s & Mash was on the menu.  Delicious.

Extra

Gap of Dunloe Tours

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GAP OF DUNLOE, Part 1 – COUNTY KERRY – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND #discoverireland

Gap of Dunloe

The Gap of Dunloe in an absolute jewel of the Emerald Isle. Traversing the gap via motor car is frowned upon and perhaps even prohibited from what I’ve gathered.  Prohibited, that is, unless your B&B lies on the other side of the gap in the Black Valley.  A wee bit of a loophole we took full advantage of.  The road all the way around to the south was long, winding and just a time-intensive.  Traveling through the gap takes a bit of patience as the road is narrow and there are horses with carts running back and forth and there is typically people hiking about as well.

Photos of the Gap of Dunloe

In total, I think we made a half-dozen trips through the gap at different times of the day.

The Wishing Bridge

There are five lakes within the Gap of Dunloe.  Coosaun Lough, Black Lake, Cushnavally Lake, Auger Lake, and Black Lough; all connected by the River Loe. Between the first two lakes is an old arch bridge called the Wishing Bridge. Locals claim that wishes made while upon it are destined to come true.

The Gap of Dunloe, Part 2

The gap, 2015 in 4k

The Mystic Gap Of Dunloe

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THE BLACK VALLEY – COUNTY KERRY – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND #discoverireland

The Black Valley

If visiting County Kerry in the Republic of Ireland, be sure that the Black Valley is on your list of destinations.  It is a short deviation, in distance, from the Ring of Kerry.  The roads in and out of the valley are narrow and full of curves.  It takes a wee bit of effort to get in and out of the valley, but it is time well spent.  The scenery is quite amazing.

The Views

After traversing the Gap of Dunloe, the lovely view of the Black Valley is exposed.  You can see the highest peak (Carrantoohil) and the 4th highest peak (Cnoc na Peiste) of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks towering over the valley in the distance.

Here are few more images taken in the Black Valley

The Sheep

Breakfast @ B&B

Our choice of Hillcrest Farmhouse B&B was perfect for our travels in and around the Black Valley.  Just down the road were multiple pastures full of sheep.  We spent a fair bit of time photographing and rolling video of these vocal beasts.  The baby sheep were so inquisitive and the parents watchful.  The markings on each sheep were as unique as each individual’s baa.

Map - Baby SheepWe were was not expecting all the gates to be open and all the sheep running around wild and free.  Thankfully we were never charge or mauled; they were quite well-behaved.  It was a spectacular site to see and experience.  This was a top memory of our visit to Ireland.  We visited this area both days we were here.

iPhone videos

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SNEEM – COUNTY KERRY – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND #Prince

Where were you when…

We have all heard that phrase uttered and it is usually associated with some memorable event.  I wasn’t anywhere when Kennedy was shot.  I wasn’t born yet.  For my generation, Generation X, our where were you when events are likely the Space Shuttle Challenger (1/28/1986, Prairie View Elementary, 6th Grade.  Principle Celt came into our room and told us the news) and 911 (9/11/01, Munson Printing; listening to the KQ Morning Show).  There was another event added to that list not quite a year ago today when Cyndie and I were traveling through Sneem…

Sneem – Blue Bull

Cyndie and I were on vacation driving around Ireland.  We had just had an early dinner in at the Blue Bull in a small town called Sneem in County Kerry.  I was always fun to have a pint and listen to the locals converse with each other.  I  had the incredibly tasty Monkfish which was encased in a hashbrown of sorts.  Wonderful stuff.

Tragic News

Just like every other evening, we stopped at a filling station or store to pick up a refreshments for later.  We made it an evening tradition to have a Magners or Bulmers cider whilst relaxing at the B&B after a long day of traveling.  As luck would have it, there was such a store that had exactly what we were looking for just a wee bit down the way from the pub.  While in the Christians Foodstore I heard the news report from the television mounted to the wall.  I did a double-take as I wasn’t sure what I had just heard.   I look down at my feet where the newspapers were laid out; there it was in print:  Prince Dead at 57.  I remember exactly where I was when Prince died (4/21/2016).  I was in a convenience store in Ireland when I heard the tragic news.

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