Connor Pass
I experienced my first snow of 2013 last week while crossing the Connor Pass (between Dingle and Tralee). A few minutes later Kerry County Council were advising people to use other routes as snowfall had made the pass too dangerous to use! I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with the Connor Pass. The drive from Tralee to Dingle was always fun, but when travelling in the opposite direction the edge, and sheer drop are much too close for comfort! When snow is added to the equation I’d have been happier to stay home…. I like snow, but only on flat ground and when I’m driving a car with traction control and 4 wheel drive!
However I’ve always been a fan of “driving” roads. I mastered my gear changing and engine braking on the bends between Ballymakeera and Macroom on the N22 back in the early 00’s. After that (while in college in Dundalk IT) I fell in love with the rollercoaster road between Borrisokane and Birr (N52) – up down, left right…. 2 lanes wide and smooth road surface – it was like a dream! More recently I’ve experienced the road from Newross to Enniscorthy – nothing better on a dry winters day!
My worst ever driving experience was The Priests Leap road in Co. Cork. My boyfriend (now husband) was trying to give me directions to the Borlin Valley but waited until we made it back to civilisation before admitting he sent me the wrong way! The single lane track was without a doubt the most frightening 45 minutes of my driving life. At the brow of every hill I had to “guess” which direction the road went in at the other side – I couldn’t see pass the edge of the bonnet on my Corrado. The only saving grace on that road trip was that I didn’t have to pass by a single car along the way, as there simply wasn’t anywhere to pull in! I’m looking forward to the day that I get to go back there, but as a passenger….
Leave a comment below and tell us about your best/worst roads to drive!
Suzanne Keane
28th January 2013
