This private day tour takes you through two of Ireland’s most historically rich cities in one well-paced run from Dublin. You’re collected at 08:00 in a private vehicle with your driver-guide and back by early evening, having covered a solid stretch of medieval and Viking Ireland without the hassle of driving or navigating between counties.
The morning belongs to Kilkenny. Your included castle ticket gets you into the 12th-century Norman fortress on the River Nore, with formal gardens running behind it to the water’s edge. After the castle, you have free time to walk the Medieval Mile - the 1.5km route from the castle gates up to St Canice’s Cathedral. The lanes narrow, limestone buildings press in, and the round tower at the cathedral end is climbable if you’re up for it.
The afternoon moves to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, founded by Norse settlers in 914 AD. Your guide walks you through the Viking Triangle, where Reginald’s Tower (Ireland’s oldest civic building), the Medieval Museum, and the Bishop’s Palace stand within a short walk of each other. You’ll see the Viking burial ground and a replica longship before the day ends at The House of Waterford Crystal on The Mall - a working studio where you watch master craftspeople at the glass, with a gallery and well-stocked shop.
What’s Included
Private vehicle with driver-guide
Water and phone charging points on board
Kilkenny Castle entrance fee
What’s Not Included
Food and drink
Entrance fees to any attraction other than Kilkenny Castle
Itinerary
Kilkenny Castle (approx. 3 hours) - Depart Dublin 08:00, arrive Kilkenny after 90 minutes. Included entry to the castle and gardens, then free time to walk the Medieval Mile.
Kilkenny free time (approx. 1 hour) - Explore the city lanes and shops at your own pace. Your guide can point out what’s worth seeing.
Waterford Viking Triangle (approx. 2 hours) - Drive to Waterford; guided walk of the Viking Triangle covering Reginald’s Tower, the burial ground, and the replica longship. Lunch recommended nearby.
The House of Waterford Crystal (approx. 2 hours) - Working glassblowing demonstration, gallery of famous commissions, and the factory shop. Free shipping on purchases; insurance fee applies.
Return to Dublin (approx. 2 hours) - Drive back through the southeast countryside.
Good to Know
Private tour for your group only.
Prams, strollers, and specialised infant seats available.
Service animals welcome.
Suitable for all fitness levels.
Conducted in English.
Public transport available nearby.
Local Tips
Walk the castle parkland before leaving. The gardens behind Kilkenny Castle run down to the River Nore and are free to enter. The path along the water - herons on the bank, the old millrace, the castle reflected behind you - gives a better sense of the city’s shape than the streets do.
Tell your guide if you want to climb the round tower. The 9th-century tower at St Canice’s Cathedral, at the far end of the Medieval Mile, is climbable and worth the brief detour if time allows.
Ship your Crystal home rather than carrying it. The House of Waterford Crystal offers free shipping on purchases. Sensible if you’re buying anything substantial, and it saves worrying about glass in your luggage. Factor in the insurance fee when budgeting.
Geoff’s on John Street is where Waterford actually eats. A local institution with three generations of regulars, a reliable lunch menu, and a beer garden. Good spot between the Viking Triangle and the short drive to the crystal factory.
Nearby on IrelandMe
Kilkenny - Smallest city in Ireland, with a Norman castle, a 13th-century cathedral, the Black Abbey, and some of the best hurling atmosphere in the country.
Thomastown - A market town on the River Nore, 14km south of Kilkenny city, with Jerpoint Abbey - one of Ireland’s best-preserved Cistercian abbeys - just down the road.
Graiguenamanagh - On the Kilkenny-Carlow border where the Barrow meets the Nore, with Duiske Abbey still standing in the town centre.
