Locals know it as the Poll Mór.

Hidden behind Ger’s Wild Atlantic Diner in Leap, a picturesque waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff face, creating a misty spray that shimmers in the sun.

According to local lore, a fateful encounter unfolded at this very precipice.

Following the historic Battle of Kinsale, a formidable chieftain by the name of O’Donovan found himself pursued by the English forces. As the story goes, in a daring act of bravery, O’Donovan, on horseback, miraculously leapt across the treacherous 25-foot chasm, evading his would-be captors.

 

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The heroic feat of O’Donovan would forever etch its mark on the landscape, with the chasm henceforth being known as “Léim Uí Dhonnabháin,” or “The Leap of O’Donovan.”

This historic moment also gave rise to the popular expression, “Beyond the Leap, beyond the Law,” as the tale of O’Donovan’s daring escape from the clutches of his pursuers served as a symbol of hope and defiance against oppressive forces.

Don’t look down

Visitors who stop in Leap can feel the very same heebie-jeebies O’Donovan himself must have felt 400 years, albeit from the safety of a vertiginous metal platform that offers a top-notch view of the babbling brook below.

The surrounding area is a haven for wildlife so keep an eye out for otters, herons, and even the occasional kingfisher among the bluebells, wild garlic, and ferns.

All this exploring is hungry work so nab yourself a table outside Ger’s Wild Atlantic Diner for fish and chips afterwards.