Travellers who want to cover a difficult route without hiring a car.
day trips IrelandMe tour notes
Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour
Voted No.1 day tour on Tripadvisor. Guided visits to Glendalough and medieval Kilkenny, plus the Wicklow Gap, in a luxury coach with WiFi. Departs 8:45am.
From €40 starting price · live price may vary
Check dates & prices ↗ Free cancellation on most dates · Booked securely with Viator
Duration9 hours 15 minutes
PriceFrom €40
Rating4.9 from 4,987 reviews
BookingSecurely via Viator
The IrelandMe take
What stands out about this one
Our practical read of the published itinerary, traveller feedback and local context—not the operator’s sales description.
Voted the No. 1 day tour on Tripadvisor, this full day out from Dublin takes you through some of Ireland's most rewarding countryside. You'll meander through the Wicklow Mountains into Wicklow National Park, spend time at the ancient monastic settlement of Glendalough, and finish in medieval Kilkenny City.
The coach is a 5-star award-winning luxury vehicle with free WiFi, USB charging, and live commentary throughout. A professional guide takes you on foot at both main stops, with a separate coach driver handling the road.
The published itinerary is the deciding factor here. Check the current meeting point and stop timings before committing.
One practical detail
At Glendalough, take the walk between the lakes. Your guided hour covers the monastic city - the 30-metre round tower (doorway 3.5 metres off the ground, which tells you everything about why it was built that way), the cathedral, the Seven Churches. When free time begins, the Green Road path from the visitor centre to the Upper Lake is 3 km return, flat, and takes you past the best of the valley. If you only have 60 minutes, go at least as far as the Upper Lake - it's quieter than the round tower area and genuinely worth it. Boots are better than trainers on the lakeshore path if the weather has been wet.
How the experience works
It's a well-loved tour for good reason - the combination of Wicklow scenery, early Christian history at Glendalough, and the streets of Kilkenny gives you a real cross-section of Ireland's Ancient East.
What the price covers
- Transport by air-conditioned luxury coach
- Free WiFi on board
- USB charging ports
- Live commentary on board
- Professional guide and separate coach driver
- Optional guided walking tours at Glendalough and Kilkenny (included, not compulsory)
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Kilkenny Castle entrance fee (Castle Park and Gardens are free)
The published itinerary
Use this to judge the pace and where your time actually goes. Operators can adjust stop order for traffic, weather or opening times.
- Guided tour of the Glendalough monastic settlement, covering 1,500 years of history and local legends. (60 min)
- Free time to walk the wild Glendalough Valley inside Wicklow National Park. (60 min)
- Photo stop at the Wicklow Gap mountain pass, with some of Wicklow's finest scenery - a location you may recognise from films. (15 min)
- Kilkenny City - Ireland's medieval capital. Free time for lunch on arrival, then an optional walking tour taking in the city's history. The Castle Park and Gardens are free to enter; the Castle interior is not included, but there's time to visit if you manage it well. (180 min)
- Return to Dublin at approximately 6pm. (1 min)
Meeting point: Arrive at least 10 minutes before departure to check in with the tour guide. Look for the COLLINS coach. Departure is at 8:45am sharp.
Local tips that make the day better
The Wicklow Gap photo stop is brief - be ready. The mountain pass is one of the finest viewpoints in Wicklow, and 15 minutes goes fast. Have your phone charged (USB ports are on the coach) and get off quickly when the driver pulls in.
In Kilkenny, use your free lunch time on High Street or Parliament Street. You have 3 hours in the city and lunch comes first. Foodworks on Parliament Street does a strong brunch that works until mid-afternoon. Rinuccini, opposite the castle gates, is a basement Italian that has been running since 1989 and won't rush you. For something quicker, the Design Centre café in the old castle stables is two minutes from the coach drop.
The Medieval Mile is yours after lunch. Kilkenny Castle to St Canice's Cathedral is about 1.5 km of medieval laneways - the Tholsel, Rothe House, the Black Abbey. The optional guided walking tour takes you through it; if you'd rather go at your own pace, the route is hard to miss. Climb the round tower at the cathedral (100 steps, not for everyone) for a view over the whole city. The Castle Park and Gardens behind the castle gates are free and a good place to sit for ten minutes before the coach back.
Skip the Smithwick's Experience if time is tight. The brewery tour on Parliament Street is interesting, but with 3 hours in Kilkenny you'll feel the pinch. The Medieval Mile and a proper lunch are better use of the afternoon.
Good to know before booking
- Group size: up to 59 travellers
- Suitable for all fitness levels
- Hot drinks and food are not permitted on board the coach
- Available in English
Make more of the area
- Glendalough - a 6th-century monastic city at the bottom of two lakes, with walks ranging from a flat 3 km lakeside path to a serious 9 km ridge loop above the valley
- Kilkenny - the Medieval Mile from castle to cathedral, one Michelin-starred restaurant, and the best pint of stout in the city at Tynan's Bridge House
Questions before you book
How long is Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour?
The published duration is 9 hours 15 minutes. Allow extra time to reach the meeting point and for your onward plans.
How much does Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour cost?
The listed starting price is From €40. Live prices can change by date, group size and availability.
What should I know before booking?
The published itinerary is the deciding factor here. Check the current meeting point and stop timings before committing.
Ready to decide?
Check the live times before building the rest of your day.
From €40 · 9 hours 15 minutes Check dates & prices ↗
