Hello Family & Friends:
Days 11-31: Rathmore
On April 28th Robbie and I boarded a bus for a tour of the Gap of Dunloe. This tour is completed in three stages – first in a horse drawn cart, then on a boat through the lakes and rivers of Killarney National Park, then back to our starting point by bus.
There was a large group that day and we had to wait awhile for a cart and pony to take us through the park. There were four of us along with the driver and the fit was so tight our knees were knocking. Killarney National Park is Ireland’s oldest and largest national park, spanning over 10,000 hectares of stunning wild landscape, including mountains, extensive lakes, waterfalls, and native oak woodlands. So there’s a lot to see and appreciate.
But the pony had to pull us up steep stretches of road through the park for an hour and a half, and every second I was fearful he would lose his footing and we would careen backward and be thrown on the rocks. When the route became extremely steep we had to get out and walk, which was a good thing because the bouncing of the cart was not fun.
The road through the mountains with the Gap of Dunloe in the distance, where we began our descent back down the mountain.
The scenery was breathtaking and I was happy to walk through this stunning landscape. But I was also glad when we finally stopped for lunch and got on the boats to cruise the rivers and lakes!
Despite the fear factor, like everywhere else we have visited, this tour was beautiful and I loved it.
See you next time when we arrive at our next stop in Cork, Ireland!
Anne