07/04/2010

Following my recent visit to the McGuillicuddy Reeks, I promised myself to return soon to explore the Black and Brida valleys running between the mountain range. The view from the top of the Devils Ladder a few weeks earlier had given me some insight into the splendor of the valley, but being at ground level is the best way to experience the magnitude of the mountain range. Having previously experimented with panoramic stitching in Photoshop, I knew the best way to capture the valley was to combine several shots into one; my mission on the day was to do just that. Having discussed my plans the day before with my brother, he decided he would tag along for the trek. In all the years we have been coming to Killarney, neither of us had explored this area, so we were looking forward to what it had to offer.

 

My brother Alan enjoying the view!

We approached the Black valley from Moll’s Gap South of Killarney on the Kenmare road. Once at the gap, we turned left and took the first right down into the valley. The road is windy and narrow, but you soon find yourself immersed in the beauty of the natural habitat with the Owenreagh river running along the right hand side of the road. The road into the valley intersects with the “Kerry Way” walk, a walk that starts just outside Killarney town near the river Flesk and runs all around the Iveragh peninsula. We decided to drive as far as we could following the “Kerry Way” route until we turned off to the Cummeenduff lake. Passing the lake, we parked in a lay-by as far as we dared go and proceeded to get kitted out. We set off on foot along a narrow road until we intersected the “Kerry Way” walk again. The road led to a farm, the most isolate farm I have ever come across. Both of us pondered on what it would be like to live in such an isolated part of Ireland, getting to the shops must be a real hassle we mused.


 

The Brida Valley

Walking around the side of the farm, we continued on until a decision had to be made whether to stick to the “Kerry Way” route or head upwards towards the base of Carrauntoohil. We decided on the latter. I knew from my climb a few weeks previous that there was a lake at the base of mountain and I was anxious to explore it. The lake in question is Curraghmore, the source of the Cummeenduff river that flows into the Cummeenduff lake that feeds the Gearhameen river and untimately flows into the Lough Leane. Having survived the steep incline to the lake, we took a breather and had some lunch. After several ham sandwiches and a nice warm cup of tea, I decided to get the camera warm up with a few shots of the lake with the mountains in the background. Not feeling too happy with what I had captured, I followed my brother over a hill to get a good view of the valley from up high.


 

Brida Valley Pan

 

The view from this vantage was spectacular and more in keeping with what I had intended to shoot. Having taken a few exposures we moved on crossing the Cummeenduff river heading upwards all the time towards a hill top where we could get a view of the Brida valley on the other side. The views from this vantage point are spectacular, looking east you can see the beauty of the Black valley, and looking west you can see the magnitude of the Brida valley. Most of the successful shots I took on the day came from this vantage point. There were plenty of boulders about for foreground interest and what lied beyond was breathtaking.


 

 

Looking Westwards

 

 

 

Having spent some time there, we headed back from where we came, this time sticking to the “Kerry Way” route meandering through the valley. It was heading towards evening now and the light was changing. The evening was beginning to settle and a lovely golden glow bathed the valley. It always amazes me how much the landscape alters when the light changes, what seemed dull and lifeless in daylight can suddenly come alive at dusk. As we walked back towards the car, I took out my camera for the last time to capture a nice grouping of trees contrasted against the blackness of the valley behind.
 

 

 

The Black Valley

 

 

Once on the road heading towards home, we both knew that what we experienced would last in memory. The maiden voyage to anywhere new is always special and we vowed that we would return soon.

 

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