Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Pub Tour small group tour max 15 people

About This Tour

This is a full day out in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains, calling into six rural traditional pubs that most visitors never find on their own. It’s a genuine taste of Irish pub culture away from the city, with proper home-style food midway through and live traditional music to close out the evening.

The tour is capped at 15 people, so it stays personal. You’ll have plenty of time to chat with fellow guests and with the locals you meet along the way.

Note: on certain days the tour runs in reverse order.

What’s Included

• Fully guided tour
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Six rural traditional pub visits
• Pickup and drop-off in Dublin city centre

What’s Not Included

• Dinner
• Alcoholic beverages

Itinerary

1. Dublin Mountains - Two Pubs - The day begins as you head over the Dublin Mountains, visiting two very different rural pubs before crossing into Wicklow. (120 min)
2. Pub with views of Dublin Bay - Known for its stunning views across Dublin Bay, friendly atmosphere, great Guinness and live music. (60 min)
3. Johnnie Fox’s Pub - Originally a farmhouse, Johnnie Fox’s is one of the most distinctive pubs you’ll visit anywhere. The decor is wonderfully eclectic and the traditional Irish music is a highlight. (60 min)
4. Roundwood - As you make your way from the Dublin Mountains into the Wicklow Mountains, you’ll stop at a local pub in the village of Roundwood, set in the heart of what’s known as the Garden of Ireland. (45 min)
5. Wicklow countryside - Wicklow earns its nickname as you travel through the rolling hills and valley scenery on the way between pubs. (pass by)
6. Old Hunting Lodge - Meal stop - Midway through the tour, you stop at an old hunting lodge for a home-style meal. Two more pubs follow, including a live traditional music stop. (90 min)
7. Small local community pub - After dinner, a short journey to a friendly neighbourhood local where you can take your time chatting with the regulars. (60 min)
8. Traditional Music Pub - The final pub of the evening is chosen for its live traditional Irish music. An award-winning spot with a great selection of local beers. (90 min)

Meeting point: Wait by the City Hall Building at the bottom of Castle Street, just off Lord Edward Street.

Good to Know

• Groups are capped at 15 travellers
• No free cancellation on this tour - check the booking terms before you confirm
• On certain days, the tour runs in reverse order
• Public transport options are available nearby
• Suitable for all fitness levels
• Tour available in English

Local Tips

Roundwood sits at 238 metres above sea level - it’s officially the highest village in Ireland, and by the time you stop here you’ll have felt the elevation in the mountain air. The pub stop here is worth savouring: the village has two pubs, and both have serious reputations. The Roundwood Inn has been run by the same family since 1980 and is known for its open fire, Wicklow game in season, and, improbably, a Hungarian goulash that has been on the menu since the Schwalm era. The Coach House across the street has been in the Michelin Guide since August 2024, which is a remarkable thing for a village of 907 people.

Pace yourself on the early pubs. The six-pub format means the evening builds gradually - the home-style meal in the middle is a genuinely good anchor point, and the final traditional music stop is usually the highlight. Arrive at the meeting point a few minutes early so the group can get moving on time; the later stops run later if the early ones fall behind.

Alcohol isn’t included, but you’re visiting traditional pubs - a round of Guinness at each stop is part of the experience. The bars pour it properly, which is the whole point of driving into the mountains to find them. If you prefer not to drink, the food stop and the sessions are worth every bit as much sober.

The Wicklow Mountains at dusk on the return drive are something to look out for, especially in autumn when the bog turns gold. The route back to Dublin passes through countryside that most visitors never see from a tour bus.

Nearby on IrelandMe

• Roundwood - Ireland’s highest village at 238m, with a 17th-century inn and a Michelin Guide-listed coaching inn across the street, both sitting above the Military Road that British soldiers built through these mountains after 1798