The Tunnels
In the heart of Bonane, where the N71 secondary national road converges with the rugged Caha Mountain range, lies a hidden gem – the historic tunnels. This hand-cut marvel, stretching long and dramatic, serves as Bonane’s grand entrance from the Cork side. As if in harmony, three shorter tunnels follow, etched into the hillside.
These tunnels – hewn from solid rock during the construction of today’s Kenmare to Glengarriff road – tell a story of transformation. Before this road’s existence, Bonane’s only links to West Cork were the treacherous Priest’s Leap and the Esk Bridle Path – mountain roads unfit for carriages. But in 1842, when the New Line emerged, connecting Glengarriff and Kenmare via the Kenmare Suspension Bridge, communication between parishes shifted forever.
Step through the tunnel’s mouth, and the view on the Kerry side unfolds – a panorama altered by time yet still spectacular. On clear days, the eye is drawn across the Ring of Kerry to the majestic Macgillycuddy Reeks. Ownership of this historic passage is divided: Cork County Council claims 110 meters, while Kerry County Council holds the remaining 70 meters. But there’s a twist – the tunnel stands just 3.65 meters high, thwarting today’s oversized high-line coaches. Tourist industry folks lament this limitation, while locals secretly rejoice – the mega coaches stay off our country roads, at least for now. And as you run your hand along the rough walls, remember the workmen who carved this tunnel by hand – a tribute etched in stone, echoing through time.
Bonane 