The Gap of Dunloe

Jarveys & Pony Men at Kate Kearney’ s Cotta ge 1950 s Louis Anthony Photographer up the Gap 1914 Visitors and Milk Seller up the Gap 1880s Visiting President of Ireland Douglas Hyde 1914

GAP OF DUNLOE – SCENIC TRIP

HOLD tight as your journey through the Gap of Dunloe whisks you back across the millennia. The Gap was formed two million years ago, when slow-moving ice carved out this mountain pass between MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Purple Mountain. Fast-forward century by century and pause for a moment in the 1860s, which is when the landmark became a bustling tourist attraction as a result of Queen Victoria’s visit. Unsurprisingly, the royal seal of approval ensured it became a must-see for tourists.

During Hollywood’s Golden Age it was a case of lights, camera and action for the Gap, with numerous movies shot in the area, including the travelogue On Horseback Through the Gap of Dunloe, and The Colleen Bawn in 1911. Speaking of its heritage on film, the photographer Louis Anthony was one of those to launch a successful enterprise arising out of the tourist trade in the Gap of Dunloe. For more on the history of the Gap of Dunloe, see www.gapofdunloe.com/aboutthe-gap/history-of-the-gap-of-dunloe. To savour what is one of Ireland’s most iconic tourist attractions, begin at Kate Kearney’s Cottage and make your way through the pass, descending into the Black Valley. The river running through the Gap is the River Loe, from which the Gap gets its name. The road, narrow in many places, winds through the pass and descends into The Black Valley, passing five lakes: Coosaun Lough, Black Lake, Cushnavally Lake, Auger Lake and Black Lough. An old bridge known as the Wishing Bridge stands within easy walking distance of Kate Kearney’s Cottage, so make sure to take a break here as legend has it wishes made here really do come true. The Gap is approximately 11km from north to south. You can hire a jaunting car to travel through the valley (though many prefer to hike or bike the route) and take a boat from Lord Brandon’s Cottage, where snacks are available, at the other end (check out www.gapofdunloetours. com). The traditional-style boat takes you through the three lakes to Ross Castle, Killarney. A good day’s exercise is promised if you are using pedal power. Cyclists usually travel the Gap in the reverse direction: You can ride to Ross Castle, just outside the town centre, where the boatman will put your bike with you on the journey through the lakes to Lord Brandon’s Cottage. You can then cycle back through the Gap to Kate Kearney’s Cottage, and on to Killarney.

OPERATORS OF THE GAP OF DUNLOE TRIP

The Gap of Dunloe Traditional Boat Tours

www.gapofdunloetraditionalboattours.com

The Gap of Dunloe Adventure

Killarney Boating & Tour Centre : Muckross Road : Killarney www.killarneydaytour.com

Gap of Dunloe Tours

High Street : Killarney : www.gapofdunloetours.com

Dero’s Sightseeing Tours

Main Street : Killarney : www.derostours.com

Corcoran’s Tours

College Street : Killarney : www.corcorantours.com

Wildkerry Daytours

Ross Road : Killarney : www.wildkerry-daytours.ie

GAP OF DUNLOE – HOSPITALITY

GENERATIONS of local families have offered hospitality in the Gap, with Heather Restaurant and Kate Kearney’s Cottage welcome havens for locals and visitors alike. For half a century the Moriarty family have been welcoming tourists to Moriarty’s, one of the best gift stores in Ireland, located at the foothills of the MacGillycuddy Reeks, just 10 minutes’ drive from Killarney town centre. Their new venture is Heather, an artisan restaurant set on the River Loe with stunning views of the iconic Gap of Dunloe. ‘Our vision is to produce fresh, simply prepared, seasonal food at this vibrant new venue," says Ailish Moriarty. "As well as produce from our own garden and polytunnels, we take advantage of the wealth of local artisan food producers, organic farmers and wild Atlantic seafood that the South West of Ireland has to offer." Heather is set on five acres of multi-level gardens with breathtaking views of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks.

PERCHED at the entrance to the Gap, Kate Kearney’s Cottage is a 150-yearold family-run establishment. Its story begins with Kate herself, a woman of exceptional beauty who lived in the years before the Great Famine of 1845. ‘The legend began in a cottage at the eastern edge of the MacGillycuddy Reeks Mountains and has captured the popular imagination ever since,’ according to www. gapofdunloe.com. ‘It was at this síbín that Kate distilled a particularly potent form of poitín, called Kate Kearney’s Mountain Dew. So strong that it could not be drunk without at least seven times its own quantity of water to temper it, this Mountain Dew was illegal, but Kate ignored the law and continued to create her special liquor and sell it to tired travellers in need of reviving.’ Following Kate’s demise, the next owners to carry on the tradition of hospitality at Kate Kearney’s Cottage were Julia Burke and her husband Donal Mór Moriarty. That tradition continues today with the current proprietor, Sean Coffey, who is a great-great-great-grandson of Julia and Donal Mór. Kate’s Mountain Dew is no more, however! Kate Kearney’s Cottage features a bar, award-winning restaurant and craft shops. The traditional Irish nights at the venue are hugely popular. Kate’s won ‘Pub of the Year’ at the The Irish Hospitality Awards 2017 for the south west region.

GAP OF DUNLOE – ACTIVITIES

YOU can travel through the Gap on foot, by bike, on horseback, or with a pony and trap. You’ll find the ponies for hire at the head of the Gap, just after Kate Kearney’s Cottage. Don’t worry if you’ve never been on a horse before – the horses have been doing this trip for years and don’t require any direction. Your only problem will be getting them to move if they find a nice patch of grass along the route! If you are a rock climbing enthusiast, you probably know that the old red sandstone of the Gap of Dunloe offers the best inland rock climbing in Kerry. The two recorded crags on the east side of the Gap are called Céim and Bothán, but most climbing is on the northwest side of the valley. You can park at Brennan’s Leap or at the bridge and follow one of two paths running up to the west side of the valley. If you are not an experienced climber, be sure to use a qualified guide. KerryClimbing (www.kerryclimbing.ie) offers family experiences and comprehensive courses suitable for all levels. "We have run taster sessions with all ages from eight to 91, so age is certainly no barrier,’ say the team.