wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 26
(3/5/02 4:47 pm)
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Gap of Dunloe

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Michele:

Do you have any advice on the Gap of Dunloe trip? I've read about it in small bits in pieces in books and web pages, but I'd like to get some personal "I've been there" info.

It seems there are two "legs" of the journey. The first one you can bus or cycle. I will avoid a bus if there is any way on earth to do that, so I'm leaning towards the cycle. The second half is a little confusing. It seems you can cycle, walk, pony trek or take a jaunting car. I contacted vacation Killarney.com and they didn't mention the pony treking so I need to follow up with them. Apparently, you can boat down from the top, with a guide, which I sort of wish we could do on our own, but apparently there is a danger of getting lost.

I know it's a 13 mile bike ride and I'm wondering if you or anyone else can give me an opinion as to how strenuous it is. I ride pretty regularly, but my wife not as much. Certainly we will work towards some strenghtening as the snow melts a little more in Colorado, but I don't want her to be so sore she can't walk the next day.

Anyway, I'd be interested in any and all experiences that people have had with the journey. It seems like a great trip, but I want to be prepared for all contingencies.

Thanks for your help!!

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 448
(3/5/02 11:36 pm)
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Re: Gap of Dunloe

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Hi Bill,

I looked at a couple of web sites and I think their instructions are a little confusing. Firstly, you can drive to Kate Kearney's Cottage, which is at the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe (1st leg). Most web sites say you can cycle or take the bus there but if you have your own car I would say drive.

From Kate Kearney's you can choose cycling, walking, horseback riding or jaunting car. Most of the way is pretty flat since you are going through a gap in the mountains. However, if you plan on coming out the other side at Moll's Gap that would be very steep. It really depends on the way you go. You could also double back to Kate Kearney's and to your car.

You are correct that to take the boats you must do a tour of the gap that takes most of the day and stops for a picnic lunch at Lord Brandon's Cottage.

I've done the gap on horseback and by car (I know THEY say you can't do it that way but I have in the off-season). If I had my preference I'd do the tour with the boats. But I would take a jaunting car as even in my younger days horseback riding was not for me.

As for renting a horse or jaunting car, there are tons of them available at Kate Kearney's. In fact you will have to beat off the men trying to rent them!

BTW, it's about 7-8 miles from Kate Kearney's to Lord Brandon's Cottage.

I hope this clears things up a bit.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 27
(3/6/02 5:57 pm)
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Re: Gap of Dunloe

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Michele:

Thanks for the info. Yes, the web pages are clear as mud! I even sent an email and was more confused. Do you know if you can rent a bike at Kate Kearney's cottage? The email I got suggested you couldn't, but now I think this person may have been part of a company that doesn't rent them. He never suggested you could drive to Kate Kearney's.

I would love to do the boat ride back...that sounds like great fun.

Thanks again for the help.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 453
(3/6/02 8:01 pm)
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Re: Gap of Dunloe

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Hi Bill,

Glad to be of help. Last time I was at Kate Kearney's was a few years ago and they did not have bikes for rent there. However, that may have changed. I suggest going to the tourist office in Killarney to inquire about that first.

Please note that you can't just "catch a boat" back to Killarney. You must be on one of the organized all-inclusive tours to do the boats and will be with other people.

If you want to do it on your own on bikes I would suggest doubling back to Kate Kearney's. If you just want a boat ride on the lakes you can also get boats at Ross Castle (either a large touring type or your own row boat). Innisfallen Island is interesting and has ruins of a monastic site on it.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 29
(3/7/02 5:31 pm)
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Re: Gap of Dunloe

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Michele:

Thanks so much for the help. Funny, I realized that you would have to reserve the boat ride through an organized trip, but I don't think I ever formulated that into my plan. Odd how the brain works. Glad you mentioned it.

I'll be coming through Killarney on my way to the Kenmare/Sneem area on the first of three days in Kerry and I'll stop at the tourist office there. We will probably take a ride out to the tip of the Ring that afternoon and maybe watch the sunset (yes, it'll be late!) and then the next day do the Gap. Our last day in Kerry will be on the Bearra peninsula. Thanks to you, I slowed down and gave myself some more time in one area.

Do you know anything about the Tahilla Cove Guesthouse outside of Sneem? It seems to have a beautiful location and though a bit to the high end of guesthouse prices, It looks wonderful. Also, the owners bear my mothers maiden name (Waterhouse) which I have never run across before. She passed away last June, so I figured it was fate that I found the place. Apparently there are only four of them in Ireland.

Thanks again for your help and keep up the wonderful work.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 456
(3/7/02 11:21 pm)
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Re: Gap of Dunloe

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Hi Bill,

Happy to be of help. The only thing I know about Tahilla Cove Guesthouse is that I have it marked to visit next time I'm in the area. It does look lovely in the Be Our Guest Book. Maybe you will visit there before I do. Let us know how you like it.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 30
(3/8/02 11:58 am)
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Re: Gap of Dunloe

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Michelle:

I'll be at Tahilla Cove May 19-21. I'll try to give you a full report. Also, I'm going to get the complete "low down" on the Gap of Dunloe tours when I'm there. It looks like such a great trip, but it's so hard to figure out exactly what you will get by reading about it online. My wife loves horseback riding (and I love cycling), but I think she'll win on this one. I'll send you any information that I get on it.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 457
(3/8/02 11:28 pm)
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Re: Gap of Dunloe

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Thanks Bill,

I will look forward to your report. If you want to find out exactly what the Gap of Dunloe tour includes e-mail Dermot O'Donoghue at: oldweirlodge@eircom.net He owns one of the tour companies and will be able to fill you in with the details. Please feel free to mention my name.

Michele