Donald’s buggy ride & stories make any day perfect at the Gap of Dunloe. (County Kerry)

Heading for the Ring of Kerry? Skip the tour bus and get out to the Gap of Dunloe. The Gap of Dunloe, with four interlocking lakes, cuts through the opening of Ireland’s highest mountains, the Machillcuddy Reeks. Right before the entrance (outside Killarney) of the Ring of Kerry is a tiny road that takes you to the beginning of the mountain range.

The buggy ride appealed to me because it was authentic as I was going to get — touristy, yes. But I’d have it all to myself — and Donald the driver made it unforgettable.

Let me offer a simple description before the tale unfolds: “The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass in County Kerry, Ireland, that separates the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range from the Purple Mountain Group range. It’s also known as Bearna an Choimín. The Gap of Dunloe is a popular attraction for hiking, running, and walking. It’s also included in the Killarney National Park.” (Wikipedia).

Many people walk the well paved, one lane road. Some drive; it slopes gently upwards over around 1.8 miles until you get to the pass.

“The Eejetts,” Donald told me as one car blocked he road not knowing how to handle the narrowness and the nonchalant walkers who seemed to care less.

“But I want to do it when we’re done — hike the Black Valley forest.”” I said.

“Ah, where I grew up. That’s fine.”

He was kind. He gave me the ‘local’ blessing. (I include some photos of the Black Valley).

For nearly 90 minutes we buggied our way through the gap with a blowing wind and wild banter. Manhattan, the horse, looked well cared for and Donald and he clearly had a close relationship.

The Gap has its stories— what doesn’t in Ireland?— but the four interlocking lakes each had a different meaning. The rest I lost to the wind. And that led to the Wishing Bridge. “Make a wish!” He said with an enthusiasm that had survived, even after doing this job for nearly 40 years.

As we swayed back-and-forth in the cab, we shared stories, clearly trying to top each other in outrageousness and humor. I quickly gave up. “Most famous person.”

“Easy. A man — Hollywood producer — in 2010 saying he was scouting locations for a show called “Game of Thrones”.”

“What’s it about?” Donald asked, recounting the memory.

“Everyone dies,” the producer quickly answered.

“Then what would you have me do?”

“Drive your buggy around — then at the end we cut off your head and put it on a iron pike.”

“Aggkk –” Donald exclaimed with disdain, “I can get that at home.”

The mountains loomed. The wind blew. The sun played cat-and-mouse with the clouds with the shadows moving fast over the brown, gold, faded green hillsides of Ireland’s highest mountains.

#BlackRiverValley, #ringofkerry, #kerry, #loveireland, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Valley

waterfalls off the Reeks

After a long and winding drive don into the valley, the fields unfold.

This was the wide part of the road on the descent into the Black Valley.

This panorama shot is taken from the end of the Black Valley road up to the part that joins into Killarney one way and nearby Kenmare the other. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Valley