Last big day!

Day 26 – Killorglin to Killarney  (via Gap of Dunloe)

47 km  (1187 km.  738 miles)

Today was our last cycle day.  Tomorrow we take the train from Killarney to Rosslare and the next day the ferry and train back to Wiltshire.

But it was another fine day of cycling, heading up across the hills via the Gap of Dunloe and down into Killarney National Park.  We felt some refreshing Irish mist as we came out of the Gap.  Wouldn’t have been right to leave Ireland without it!

We discovered that tomorrow is the annual Ring of Kerry charity cycle ride.   Apparently 10,000 cyclists are registered to ride the 175km loop, starting and ending in Killarney.  So tight coloured spandex was much in evidence in Killarney today.   And if you wanted to nick a high-end road bike, Killarney is the place to be.  We looked out of place with our heavy,but solid and reliable, touring bikes.

 

Heading into the hills to the Gap of Dunloe
We actually stopped at a road junction to see about a castle nearby. We saw the signs to the Gap as well as noted it on  our GPS. On a whim we decided to take the Gap route. It was magical!

Such a lovely treasure to discover on our last big day.

You can pay to do the trip in a pony and jaunty
The windy road to the summit.
Irish mist and a 4 km ride downhill.
M summoning the little people with her whistle
What is your name? What is your quest?

Killarney celebrating the cycle ride