Ireland - Killarney/Gap of Dunloe

Car,Bike,Boat,Bike,Car!

Our 1st official tour was a bike and boat tour of Killarney National Park, which was a 45 minute drive from Derrymore. We picked up our e-bikes (more on this option later) from O’Sullivans Bike Rentals in Killarney and rode through Killarney House and Gardens to Ross Castle.

We bought a Heritage card which allows for free entry to all Heritage sites in Ireland for a year, and promptly used it for a very informative 45 minute tour. Interestingly we learned that due to the benevolence of a Philadelphia couple, the McShaine’s, Ross castle was restored in the 1980’s and they donated it, as well as much of the land and lakes that make-up Killarney National Park, to the Irish government.

Our journey continued with a 1.5 hour boat ride through the lakes with our bikes on board (Gap of Dunloe Tours). The day was cool, cloudy and misty (ok to be honest rainy, but as my Irish Grandmother would say, it’s a gentle Irish rain!)

The bike ride from Lord Brandon’s Cottage back to the bike shop through the Gap of Dunloe was a 15 mile ride with about a 900 foot elevation gain in the first 7 miles hence the e-bikes! The road was narrow and curvy, shared by horse drawn jaunting cars, hikers and crazy tourists in cars. I’m surprised they didn’t have ambulances stationed along the route (no room of course)!

Yes this is the road, not a bike path!!

St Mary’s Cathedral,Killarney

Our reward at the end - The Mad Monk by Quinlan’s in Killarney for an Irish whiskey, blood orange fizz and black sole!

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