Great Irish Roads A series by motoring historian Bob Montgomery
No 15: The Road to Moll's Gap
When Killarney hosted the annual Circuit of Ireland Rally, one road was synonymous with the event. Moll's Gap was the classic stage over the Killarney-Kenmare road.
To be one of the thousands of spectators on Moll's Gap was an experience to be savoured as top drivers showed their skills on this demanding test of driver and car.
Today, Moll's Gap is better known as the starting point of many tourist journeys around the Ring of Kerry. As a result many choose to avoid it for quieter, less travelled roads through the Kerry landscape.
However, to do so is to miss one of the great roads in Kerry, a road which has much to offer the enthusiastic driver. For Moll's Gap at its best, leave Killarney by the N71 early in the morning before the tourist coaches begin their circuits.
Heading out past Muckross House, one travels through the Killarney National Park, its vast 27,000 acres embracing mountains, woods and three lakes. This is one of the last remnants of Ireland's primeval countryside and red deer roam freely through its oak and yew woodlands.
Along this section, the road takes on the essential character which it retains to the top of Moll's Gap. Smooth, with an excellent surface, the road quickly develops a rhythm as it twists left and right, rising and falling on the gentle climb past the Lough Leane and smaller Muckcross Lake.
To your right, Tomies Mountain (733m) and Purple Mountain (832m) rise against a backdrop of the MacGillycuddy Reeks. On the other side rises Torc Mountain (535m) and behind it Mangerton Mountain some 300 metres higher.
Along this section, the rock-face runs down to the edge of the tarmac, the site of many retirements in past Circuit of Ireland rallies by drivers who failed to give the road the respect it demands. Here too, the road passes through an arch cut through the rock when the road was built.
The twistiest part of the run follows. If morning mists have cleared, one sees the Upper Lake and the famous Ladies View. Soon one passes Moll's Gap itself and begins the drop to Kenmare.
Immediately, as so often is the case, the road changes character on this side of the mountains. The landscape is no longer clothed in trees as on the Killarney side of the pass, giving a much more windswept aspect to the road as it clings to the edge of the mountainside. Finally, Peakeen Mountain (554m) rises on your left.
In all the N71 from Killarney to Kenmare winds its way along 32 kms of twisting road with an excellent surface and some of Ireland's most famous views.
As you travel, spare a thought for the road's ghosts. Recall the sounds of fast cars driven by some of rallying's great names over this most Irish of special stages.