describes his first glimpse of Killarney. “I shall never throughout the whole of my life forget the first view I obtained of the Killarney Lakes,” he says. “Dismounting from the car, on the narrow winding road, we peered through a cleft in the rock and looked down on the fairest scene I can remember.” Today, mention Moll’s Gap to any motoring or motorsport enthusiast anywhere in the world and they will know immediately what, and more importantly where, is being spoken of. A tradition that started 120 years ago remains a central part of the motoring heritage of Killarney. The road is used every year in the International Rally of the Lakes and the Killarney Historic Rally. From 1936 until 1983 the famous stage was an essential part of the Circuit of Ireland Rally route too. However, back to 1901. The crews, upon arrival in Killarney on the evening of Saturday August 10, checked into several different hotels in the town. “The machines behaved remarkably well, and good speed was kept up. The party, who are distributed through the various hotels, expressed themselves well-pleased with the run, and were quite charmed with our Kerry scenery,” the Kerry Evening Post newspaper reported at the time. Sunday, a day of rest, was supposed to be reserved for sightseeing but poor weather delayed the restart by a further day. The motorists enjoyed an extra night of hospitality in Killarney before the next leg of the journey to Waterville. “The motor tourist had perforce to keep quiet on Sunday. Even Killarney never witnessed such a downright torrential day. There were a few brief spells of sunshine, but they only served to mock the visitors, and they did not leave their hotels. The iron steeds, therefore, got an extra day’s rest,” said the Kerry Evening Post. The story goes that Jarrott and his two racing friends, du Cros and Fuller, said Saturday’s
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descent of Moll’s Gap did not present enough of a challenge and went in search of something more exciting. During that extra night of revelry, Jarrott, du Cros and Fuller (their new found sense of bravado a mere coincidence!) decided to have a crack at the Gap of Dunloe. “The Irish members of the party scoffed at our suggestion of getting through but we were determined to make the attempt,” Jarrott said in his autobiography. So, instead of joining their colleagues on Tuesday morning for the sensible approach to Kenmare via Loo Bridge, they headed off in the opposite direction towards the Gap of Dunloe marking the first time such a journey was attempted. At the time, this now popular tourist route was no more than a dirt track suitable for little more than a horse and cart.
Indeed, just 10 years prior, a County Clare doctor claimed to be the first person to steer a pony and trap through the Gap of Dunloe, albeit from the opposite direction of the three racing drivers. Another challenge faced the motorists: several of the much photographed bridges along the way were yet to be built. “Arrived at the foot of the Gap we were met by our first difficulty,” adds Jarrott. “The lake covered up the whole road – in fact there was no road.” But this did not stop the intrepid trio, and despite a number of incidents, they made it with a tale to tell. And what a story! Before they made their ascent into the unknown, they stopped at Kate Kearney’s Cottage for some liquid refreshments – most likely a few strong ones – to give themselves some false
