My Ireland
Oops... no internet connection
While offline, you can still add items to My board. New travel reccomendations will only show up once you’re back online.
Discover the Gap of Dunloe
Gap of Dunloe, County Kerry
Follow the riverside path as it snakes through the mountain pass formed by glaciers between MacGillycuddy Reeks and Purple Mountain. This extraordinary part of the island of Ireland is known as the Gap of Dunloe.
The Gap of Dunloe, County Kerry
The mountain pass begins at 150-year-old family-run restaurant and craft shop, Kate Kearney’s Cottage. Once you’re fuelled up and are ready to explore, the incredible scenery awaits. Silver rock stands tall on either side of the pass. Sheep roam free, grazing along the roadside, and the waters of the five lakes in this area (Coosaun Lough, Black Lake, Cushnavally Lake, Auger Lake and Black Lough) glisten. A popular attraction is the stone Wishing Bridge between Coosaun Lough and Black Lake. The locals say that wishes made here really do come true.
The Lakes of Killarney, County Kerry
The Ring of Kerry
The Gap of Dunloe is found in a scenic area on Ireland's southwest coast known as the Ring of Kerry.
There are a few ways to experience the Gap of Dunloe. Cars and tour buses can squeeze along the narrow road but it’s best to take your time here to appreciate this spectacular landscape. Hikers can explore the full 11km following the narrow mountain pass, and the route is also popular with cyclists who are up for a challenge. For something truly unique, hire a horsedrawn wagon – known as a jaunting car – and allow a guide to let you in on stories about the area while taking you to the Upper Lake. Here, the adventure continues as you hop aboard a boat to Ross Castle in Killarney.
The narrow road through the Gap of Dunloe, County Kerry
Want to see more?
Here are some great reads to get you started
