Tourists, thought to be a couple from the US, killed while travelling in the Gap of Dunloe in County Kerry on Monday

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old



Two tourists believed to be from the US were killed on Monday in a freak accident involving a pony and trap at an Irish beauty spot.

The animal is thought to have bolted from the cab in which the couple were travelling in the Gap of Dunloe in County Kerry.

Local reports said the pair were a husband and wife in their 60s who were on holiday in south-west Ireland. Their trap is said to have overturned throwing the tourists on to rocks.

The driver of the trap was uninjured, according to the Garda Siochana.

The bodies of the couple were taken from the scene of the accident around 5pm on Monday to Kerry General Hospital in a hearse.

Niall Kelleher, the mayor of Killarney, said the county was in deep shock over the accident.

“The Gap of Dunloe is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the entire country but there is a very dark cloud overhead this evening as everybody tries to comes to terms with what has happened,” said Kelleher said.

Killarney’s chamber of commerce and tourism also expressed their sympathies to the families of the dead tourists.

Chamber president Paul O’Neill said: “The Gap of Dunloe is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations, a place that brings joy to tourists the world over and we are devastated that a visit to it by this couple would end in such tragic circumstances.”



