Ballaghasheen Gap

Ballaghasheen Gap launches at about 319 m in County Kerry, Ireland, from a spot 100 m south of the road at the top of the gap - a four-to-five-minute climb from parking to lay out. There's also a lower takeoff beside the road at the hairpin bend for lighter days. Wind here usually runs stronger than forecast, which makes it a good choice specifically on light-wind days elsewhere; it takes north, north-east and east winds. The valley above the landing field is strongly thermic and has produced excellent restitution flying even as late as autumn. This is remote terrain: the ground behind the launch is rugged, with large rocks, trees and some electricity wires, and there is likely no mobile signal in the area. Between the road and the mountain to the north there is never any lift, only strong sink, so stay high if transitioning across to that ground. Access is from Glencar, Co. Kerry, via the inland road toward Waterville, about 8-10 km from the village. Airspace here is free below 5,500 ft. Landing is beside the road about 1 km down the valley, where a power line turns up the valley - a hazard worth watching on approach.

Launch & conditions

The main takeoff is 100 m south of the road at the top of the gap, a four-to-five-minute climb to lay out, taking north, north-east and east winds. A lower takeoff sits beside the road at the hairpin bend for lighter-wind days.

Getting there & local rules

From Glencar, Co. Kerry, take the inland road toward Waterville, heading south-west; the site is about 8-10 km from the village.

Local rules & hazards

Wind here usually runs stronger than forecast, and can increase quickly due to a compression effect at the head of the valley, so treat it as a light-wind-only site. Between the road and the mountain to the north there is never any lift, only strong sink - stay high before transitioning across - and the terrain behind launch is remote and rugged, with large rocks, trees and electricity wires, plus likely no mobile signal; airspace is free but capped at 5,500 ft, and the landing beside the road 1 km down the valley sits near a power line that turns up the valley.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Ballaghasheen Gap, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Ballaghasheen Gap with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.