MBarnes
Unregistered User
(11/1/03 9:06 pm)

Connors Pass

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Connor' Pass sounds like a beuatiful scenic drive. i know that you should only attempt it in good weather.

My question is just how trecherous is it. I had a really bad experience on the Mt. Washington NH road that climbed to the top of the mountain and I'm a little hesitant to try Connors Pass.

Is it really twisty and turning? Alot of hill up and down?

I dont want to miss it (my son's name is Connor and he really thinks it would be cool)

I'm not sure if I'm willing to attempt it, even if the weather is good.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1927
(11/2/03 1:04 am)

Connor Pass

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Hi MBarnes,

Connor Pass is Ireland's highest mountain pass at 1,500 feet. The road is winding, narrow and you obviously must go from sea level up to the 1,500 foot point before coming back down. At certain points if you meet an oncoming car it can be a tight squeeze and sometimes one of the cars must back up to a wider place in the road to pass. Parts of the road are along cliffs. I realize this info may not be reassuring but you should know the facts before deciding to go. If you do drive Connor Pass I would recommend taking the route through Castlegregory and Connor Pass to Dingle town (not the other way) since when going this way you will be on the inside of the road and away from the cliff edge. There are viewpoints to stop at along the way.

If you take it slow and easy I don't see a problem in good weather. But only you can make the choice.

Michele

MBarnes
Unregistered User
(11/2/03 8:18 pm)

Connors Pass

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Thanks for the info. I'm glad to have the information. We will have to wait and see when we get there as to whether or not we will attempt it.

Knowing the better direction will be helpful.

garyvol
Unregistered User
(11/3/03 8:07 am)
 
bumper stickers

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Hi MBArnes,
Hey, this is an opportunity for you, as a person to have both bumper stickers on one car.
This car(person) drove up/down Mt. Washington in the N.H.
This car(person) drove up/down Connors Pass in Ireland.

Now that is cool.
Well, you still have to be careful.
-gary

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 306
(11/3/03 6:17 pm)

Re: Connor Pass

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Well, I drove the Pass at night in a fog thick as mud and I survived ... and I did it from Dingle to Castlegregory. Hmmmmm .... maybe I'm crazy.

Bill

MBARNES
Unregistered User
(11/3/03 8:11 pm)

CONNORS PASS

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Please feel free to keep up the support. Maybe by the time we get there I will have more courage.

Thanks again

Dude
Unregistered User
(11/3/03 11:06 pm)

My version

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I drove Connor Pass in a big old Land Rover (on the Toward Dingle side) on our first day in country, so jet lagged. My support staff was mostly asleep. And it was very windy and raining. But I was thrilled, and sorry I hadn't known about it on previous trips. Can't wait to go back and do it again. How about I go with you and do the driving?

Mbarnes
Unregistered User
(11/4/03 1:43 pm)

Connors Pass

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I have to admit I'm feeling more confident every time I check the travel board. I'm starting to realize that I can drive in NYC I probably can do this. Any way I'm only the passenger. Thanks DUDE for the offer.

My husband will be doing all the driving. We've already have begun our discussions on how I'm not going to be a backstreet driver.

Dude
Unregistered User
(11/4/03 3:28 pm)

passenger/driver

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Being the passenger is much more traumatic than doing the driving! You are sitting on the side where you are used to being in control and there you sit with no brakes, no wheel, nothing, and the rock walls and brush hedges are speeding by just inches from you!! Just grit your teeth and try not to backseat-drive!
You can be hugely helpful by reading the maps and guides, and helping to look for signs.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1933
(11/5/03 12:30 am)
 
Connor Pass

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Hi MBarnes,

As you can see we have all done Connor Pass and lived to tell about it. I'm sure that you will too. Keeping your eye on the map and helping with navigation will really help your husband with the driving (and you with back seat driving)! The reason I suggest not doing the drive in bad weather (fog, heavy rain, etc.) is that the whole point of the road is the views. In such weather you won't see much so you may as well take an easier route.

So just go and enjoy.

Michele

P.S. Bill, We all know you are certifiable!

MBarnes
Unregistered User
(11/5/03 5:25 pm)

Connors Pass

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Ok, I think I have been convinced. If the weathers nice It's not something I am willing to miss.

Allison
Unregistered User
(11/7/03 7:53 pm)

Connor Pass

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I think we must have come through Connor Pass on our way out of Dingle in 95. At the time, the fog was so thick that we could barely see the low rock wall alongside us. I think I am glad I had no idea how "treacherous" the road was (heights are just not my thing, I nearly freaked out coming down from Slieve League) but I do recall the road being incredibly narrow and having to really scrunch to let a bus go by. That was the worst fog we have seen in 3 trips.
(The second worst was on Sky Drive in Clifden last April.)

I am sorry to say I feel like a traitor, but we are going to Paris in February. (Cheap airfare!)

Bill, glad to see you back and to hear you are having a good recovery. What are the plans for your next adventure? Will you stay on land this time?

Allison