I'm in the same boat as Chris ... Altho I guess this gives us more time to spend in Kinsale and Killarney.

Just trying to make some lemonade, folks ...

Bill



-- Edited by baja at 08:31, 2007-04-10

Oh that's just awful! I wonder how harsh the impact for the locals. Do you know if anyone was hurt Michele, or what section (and how large a section) it was?

That's just terrible news.

Hi, Michele:

Am I correct to assume that this rules out the Blasket Centre?

Marie

Hello All,

Does anyone know for sure just where this happened?  I thought I had an Ordinance Survey map of Dingle, find I don't. Think that would pinpoint Cuas na gColzr.

We are scheduled for the Scuirid Archeological Tour in May.  Hopefully that won't affect the tour.  Perhaps I shall e-mail them, and see if they know anything. 

Keep us informed, please.

Helen

Auld Sod wrote:

---

Bill,

I've sent an email to the proprietor of the B&B we've booked in Dingle asking for any updates when they get a chance, specifically as to what portion of the drive will be closed. I told her that I know it's extremely early in the evaluation of the damage and asked for any news she could pass along. I'll post anything I get from them.

Chris

---

Great, Chris -- that will be very helpful and we thank you.  We leave on the 25th (don't need to say the month anymore!) and the Dingle was one of our first stops.  Hope it will still be on the itinerary.

Thanks again,
Bill

 

From http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0410/slea.html

Agreement reached on Slea Head Drive
Tuesday, 10 April 2007 19:34
Kerry County Council has confirmed that work on a temporary road which will allow them to re-open the Slea Head Drive will begin tomorrow after agreement was reached with a local landowner.

According to a spokesperson, the 300 metre section of road will be open to traffic within three weeks, weather permitting.

In the meantime, traffic diversions will remain in place.

However, he stressed that while vehicles and buses will be unable to do the loop in the short-term, the peninsula remains open to traffic.

Thanks Oopsy!

If we are able to use the road in May, we will find out the name of the "local landowner" and at least bring him a pint!

I found this on "Fodor's". No mention of injuries or anything :)



From a post off of Trip Advisor Ireland forum:

Today's Irish Times:
"One of the country's most popular coastal tourist routes, the Slea Head Drive in the Dingle peninsula, is likely to remain closed for at least the rest of the tourist season after a dramatic cliff collapse below it at the weekend.
Hundreds of tonnes of earth and rock suddenly crashed into the sea below the road at Cuas na gColúr between Coumeenole Bay and Dún Chaoin shortly after 7pm on Easter Sunday.
...
Major cracks now line a 10m (33ft) stretch of roadway, which has been closed and diversions put in place.
...
Kerry County Council said yesterday it was clear coastal erosion was responsible. Its engineers were assessing the damage but the road would not immediately re-open.
...
A council spokesman acknowledged the urgency of the situation, given that the beginning of the tourist season was "the worst possible time" for such an event.
However, the area was not cut off, diversions were in place, and places of interest were still accessible, he said.
...
Manager of the Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhóir, Micheál de Mórdha said thankfully the road was quiet at the time or a major disaster could have occurred.
Several local businesses fear they will be badly affected, including museums, restaurants, pubs, cafés, boat operators, pottery industries, B&Bs and other attractions which depend on passing trade on the circular route. The town of An Daingean would also be badly affected, Mr de Mórdha said.
...
Further east in the Dingle peninsula, at Inch Strand in Dingle Bay, Kerry County Council is already dealing with a cliff collapse and is carrying out work."

Hi Everyone,

Go to this link and click on "View Map": http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/traffic/story.asp?id=84271 It looks like some of the most scenic parts are closed including Dunmore Head. However, there is a route from Ventry that goes up through the hills and over to just north of Dunquin. I can't quite tell from the map if that is closed or not. If not, it will make a good alternative. Wonderful views from up there too. You will have to ask the locals how to find that road because it is not signposted.

If that map is accurate I think perhaps the Blasket Island Center could be visited since it is north of Dunquin. Other things you can visit would be Gallarus Oratory, Minard Castle, Kilmalkedar Church, Connor Pass, Smerwick Harbor, Dun an Oir, Riasc, Inch Strand (although there has been a collapse there too but no mention of road closure).

From Dingle you can go to Ballyferriter and around that way instead.
 
Something similar happened on the Dingle Peninsula a decade or so ago and even though they soon had the road open it was for local traffic only. Those who are going soon should just be aware that they will not be able to do the complete loop. They can do part and then turn back from either the south portion or the northern portion. It will mean doing what you can in bits and pieces instead of being able to make a complete loop.

Whoever is back from Dingle first, please post a report!

Michele

Thanks, ... oopsy.  (sorry -- I meant to say "Marie")

Three weeks won't do it for The Boss and I ... we're considering parking the car and getting out those hiking boots.

Or ... as I said before, maybe this means more time in a Kinsale pub??

;-D

Bill

-- Edited by baja at 19:38, 2007-04-10

Duly noted, Bill -- thanks a lot for the directions. We'll plan on it and report back ... Hopefully, from the PC at the Loch Lein Country House with a glass of wine at hand ...

Now THAT'S something to look forward to!

Bill

I hope this is okay. I'm pasting a post from Clauds on Trip Advisor. Looks like most of the main sites are accessible.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g194237-i1305-k1135435-Update_on_closed_section_of_Slea_Head_Drive-Dingle_Peninsula_County_Kerry.html

This is the email I received from Dingle Tourism today:
"...thank you for your email.
At the moment, cars can go as far as Coumenoole Beach. Coaches can go as far as Paidi O'Sheas Pub only, or maybe even as far as the museum at Kilvick. Further on there is no space for them to turn. But coaches can cross over from Ventry to Ballyferriter and drive on from there to Dunquin.
From Dunquin cars can go as far as Dunquin Pier.
The road cracked just beside the graveyard in Dunquin. The County Council decided yesterday to build an emergency road around the affected area but it will take a few weeks.
Hope this will help"
And the headline in today's Irish Times reads:
"Collapsed Slea Head road may be replaced by summer
A new stretch of road around the scenic route at Slea Head, Co. Kerry, could be completed before the summer tourist season if agreement can be reached with landowners, local officials said yesterday.
Diversions were in place yesterday, taking traffic away from the Slea Head drive after the part of the cliff collapsed into the Atlantic at the weekend.
Signs have been erected to direct motorists to use alternative routes.
Acting county manager Tom Curran said that the new stretch of road could be built in months, and temporary measures put in place prior to that to allow the established circle of the Slea Head drive to be reinstated.
This depended entirely on the goodwill of local landowners with whom the council was now negotiating.
...
Agreement with landowners could clear the way for a temporary road to be opened in weeks, but everything depended on the landowners, the council spokesman emphasised.
...
Meanwhile, a strong message to the effect that Slea Head was "open for business" came from a public meeting convened by the council in Dingle yesterday.
...
... the Great Blasket Interpretative Centre, the Bronze Age forts, beehive huts and other major tourist attractions were all accessible to visitors. Ferry services to and from the Blaskets were not affected."
I hope this is of help to those of you planning a trip to the Dingle peninsula.

14 more days and I can see for myself!

Bill


-- Edited by baja at 19:09, 2007-04-12

Great news, oopsy -- thanks !!