The Gap of Dunloe is spectacular V-shaped valley that slices through Irelands highest mountains. It is about 10 miles from Killarney and is 5 miles long with a narrow road running right through. The starting point is Kate Kearneys Cottage and the gorge ends in the charmingly named Black Valley. Compared with the fertility of the Killarney valley, this is all very barren. The overhanging cliffs, huge boulders, waterfalls and poor ground all add to the sense of desolation. Long ago, this would have been the only route between the Kenmare area to the south and the Killarney valley and thus was of considerable strategic importance. It is not difficult to imagine the battles fought out here for control. The presence of Serpent Lake at the top of the gorge seems appropriate.The usual way to travel through is either walking or by jarvey. Jarveys abound at Kate Kearneys. There is a sign saying the road is impassable, which happens to be conveniently beside a carpark and the jarveys. It can be driven, but its not for the faint-hearted. The photo above is the traditional view associated with the Gap. It was taken about a mile or so along the road, easily reached in a car, up a field on the left. The locus is so barren that it needs something in the foreground for effect.
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