Only a Portion of the ROK

annettemcgrath · Veteran Member

Only a Portion of the ROK

wojazz3 · Guru

Hi Annette:

There are different opinions of the RoK. I find it quite beautiful, but that's me. The southern half is well worth th ride ald the view from the pass at the tip is wonderful. There is also Derrynane House and National Park.

It's hard to tell exactly, but it sounds like the road that is being suggested in the quote may be the Gap of Dunloe which is technically of limits to driving most of the year. There are a couple of B&Bs back there, so it gets some traffic, but very little and the road is narrow and winding and not in terrific shape.

The road between Killarney and Kenmare is lovely, though very narrow and not much fun because of oncoming bus traffic between about 2-5. Otherwise, it's beautiful and there are a number of great places to stop.

Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

Annette,

Bill is right. It is the back way into the Gap of Dunloe. I did it a couple of years ago in late October. I would not recommend it in the season. In places the road is extremely narrow (think horse and cart). It is okay if you don't meet traffic coming in the other direction. But you are bound to meet someone. Last time I did it there were some very impatient Dubliners who did not want to wait for our car to back up and almost took the side of our car with them. This is not a road for impatient people to drive on. It will take a couple of hours (or more) and will require all the driver's attention.

Michele

oopsy · Senior Member

I don't think we'll do the ROK on this trip, opting for Dingle and Beara instead. However, I did get advice from someone on the trip advisor (Bean, I think), about a drive through the Black Valley. I think we may try this. Here are the directions I pasted into my trip planning files...

Black Valley - Go to Molls Gap, then follow the signs down the valley for Sneem (right from Killarney, left from Kenmare). At the next junction take the right turn (NOT the one for Sneem) and proceed down the valley. After about 1.75 miles you will come to a T Junction. Left Takes you to Lough Brain (haven't been there yet) right takes you along the valley. After about 6-7 miles you will come to a junction. Take a right for Lord Brandon's (worth a visit)right to continue through the Valley. About 2 miles after this junction you will come to another junction - Take a left for Cummeenduff Glen & Lough (sorry spelled it wrong earlier). After about a mile there is a road to the left which descends down the valley and across a bridge. Within a couple of minutes the vista lies before you.

Retrace your steps back to where you turned off for Cummeenduff and take the one road you have not used yet. This is the only road until Kate Kearney's Cottage. It will take you across the head of the Gap and through the Gap of Dunloe. Bliss.

The last part of is the Gap of Dunloe, so as Pat says, you may not want to do this in season or at the peak of the days walkers/travelers.

oopsy

annettemcgrath · Veteran Member

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I love how you all give me details instead of just saying "NO - don't do it!!"

We will be there in October, so traffic shouldn't be bad and it might be something to consider. I guess it will all depend on how comfortable we are with driving and what the weather is like.

Oopsy - thanks for the other option. I will at least feel like I saw some of the ROK scenery. From what I've been reading Beara is amazing. If I end up giving up Donegal on this trip, I'm looking forward to seeing something that is less touristy like that.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Annette,

Beara is spectacular and very untouristed. If you do it be sure to drive over Healy Pass. At the very tip of the peninsula is a cable car that will take you out to Dursey Island (if you are brave enough).

Michele

annettemcgrath · Veteran Member

Michele,

I've seen pictures of the cable car and don't think I'm brave enough! I'm a big chicken and it looks a little too intense for me

But who knows, I might just get caught up in the excitement of being in Ireland and go for it.

Dude · Guru

Hey, Annette, go for it. Just think, you will be able to come home and tell folks that you crossed the Atlantic on a cable car! It's one of my fond memories of my trips.