We had a great day with the Gap of Dunloe Boat Tours. Got the boat from Ross Castle to Lord Brandon's Cottage and took our bikes with us.
We had a great day with the Gap of Dunloe Boat Tours. Got the boat from Ross Castle to Lord Brandon's Cottage and took our bikes with us.
Had a really great trip! Very seamless booking process, our boatman was very knowledgeable and the scenery was beautiful even in November!
We were a little late getting started but it wasn't a problem. Headed out to Kate Kearney's Cottage where we rented a couple of jaunting carts piloted by Siobahn and Jerry. I've never come to Killarney that we haven't done this tour through the Gap of Dunloe. It was ever so interesting having a woman driver and hearing her experiences as an Irish woman. Lovely day all around. The views and experience speak for themselves.
Did the tour yesterday and loved it! We met at 10am at O’Connors on High Street and departed in the cute little bus about 10:15, arriving at Ross Castle at 10:30 (this was reverse order of what I expected). He told us we could explore the castle for a few minutes and then pointed where we should meet our little boat at 11am, which we did. Bus driver then joined us at small pier with the boat captain and we climbed on. There were 7 passengers (2 with bikes) and the captain on the outboard motor boat. I’m guessing you could maybe fit 4 more passengers if needed. We each were given a life jacket to wear and we were off. Captain was very good about pointing out places as we travelled from the largest lake to Lord Brendons Cottage and provided history, wildlife, vegetation and fun facts. Water level was low so at Old Weir bridge 5 had to get out at a small rock landing to walk 100 yards to another landing just beyond the bridge, while the captain and 2 passengers had to pull the boat through the low water area. Also had to get about 100 yards before usual docking point at Lord Brendon’s Cottage because of low water level, but it again was no problem to walk the last little bit. It really was beautiful and so peaceful.
We ate lunch at Lord Brendon’s Cottage (arrived about 12:30), where they sold a selection of premade sandwiches, soup, chips, assorted desserts and beverages. For 2 sandwiches, 2 bottles of water, and a bag of chips total was about 15 euros.
About 1:30 our boat captain matched us up with our jaunting car driver and we were quickly on the road. Such a fun and unique thing to do. I will say the cart is tight with driver facing you on one side and the 2 of us were on the other, facing him. Also, I guess partly because there are only two wheels and thus less stability, you are jolted around quite a bit, although we were none the worse for wear when we completed ride. The driver was very pleasant and informative and happy to take any of our questions.
We arrived Kate Kearney’s cottage about 2:45 and jaunting driver said bus would pick us up there at 4 to return to town. Kate’s didn’t have their inside open for visitors and instead had assorted tables set up outside. Across the road was Coffee Pot Cafe which had indoor and outside deck seating, and we decided to get a snack there. Bus arrived promptly at 4 and even dropped each of us off at our respective hotels.
I highly recommended this tour and company for the uniqueness of these activities, the beauty of the scenery, and excellent service and attitude of the drivers/guides.
Thank you for your amazing review . So delighted you enjoyed it
Amazing trip from start to finish. We were collected from our accommodation by a lovely bus driver John who was very friendly and knowledgeable of the area. On boat Journey was on time and started at 11 o’clock from Ross Castle. Our boat driver Tadgh was some laugh and had our jaunting carts ready when we arrived to lord Brandon cottage. The jaunting carts Lasted an hour and a half and it was like we were in a different country this scenery and views were amazing. When we arrived back to kate karneys we had time to sit and have a drink before we were collected again by John at 4 pm who brought us back into Killarney all I can say is I would recommend it to everyone it was just an amazing day….😊😊😊😊
thak you for your review. Both John and Tadgh we delighted to here the great feedback. Hopefully we will see ye again in the future...
We were picked up from our hotel at 10 a.m. 40 minutes later after some pick ups, we drove by our same hotel! We arrived at Ross Castle at 11 a.m. The boat ended up leaving at 12.15. The guide/ boat driver was an hour and 15 minutes late. No apology, just a joke asking whether anyone had brought a ham sandwich. A family with us had a young girl with them who no doubt was needing some lunch at this point. We enjoyed a lovely boat trip and arrived at Brandon’s Cottage at 2 p.m. No time for food or a drink. We had to leave straight away to embark on a 2 and a half hour walk. The bus was meant to be leaving at 3.30!! We had a nice walk. Thankfully I had done it before as we had otherwise no idea where to go. There were some junctions that really needed a simple map. We did the walk in 2 hours 15 minutes. On the way we met a horse and cart that was sent up to collect us. I asked the driver if the company had paid for it and the driver laughed and said no. We said we would walk and the driver got annoyed and said he has made a wasted trip!! We didn’t order a horse and cart. We carried on walking and when we arrived, our guide thankfully was still there. He was surprised that we had made it in the time and asked if we had walked??? The whole day was a shambles. I gave the trip 2 stars as the guide very interesting and the boat journey was beautiful. 6 and a half hours and no opportunity to rest. Very exhausting but it was funny watching the farce unfold!
Im very sorry im only getting back to you now. I do apologise for what happen that day. Our pick up are between 10-10.30 and somtimes can run a bit later depending on how busy it is and we always say that. The boat trip should of started at 11.00 but due to a family issue as explained to the people you mention in your review the boat driver was late and I do apologise for that.
If you have the time I would love if you could ring us as we pride ourself in what we do and things like this dont normally happen.