Travellers who want to cover a difficult route without hiring a car.
day trips IrelandMe tour notes
Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Pub Tour small group tour max 15 people
Escape Dublin for a day and take in six rural traditional pubs in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains, with home-style food and live traditional Irish music.
Duration9 hours
PriceFrom €96
Rating5.0 from 242 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.
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.
The published itinerary is the deciding factor here. Check the current meeting point and stop timings before committing.
One practical detail
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.
How the experience works
Note: on certain days the tour runs in reverse order.
What the price covers
- Fully guided tour
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Six rural traditional pub visits
- Pickup and drop-off in Dublin city centre
- Dinner
- Alcoholic beverages
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.
- 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)
- Pub with views of Dublin Bay - Known for its stunning views across Dublin Bay, friendly atmosphere, great Guinness and live music. (60 min)
- 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)
- 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)
- Wicklow countryside - Wicklow earns its nickname as you travel through the rolling hills and valley scenery on the way between pubs. (pass by)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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.
Local tips that make the day better
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.
Good to know before booking
- 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
Make more of the area
- 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
- Glendalough - the monastic valley is the clearest daylight alternative if you want Wicklow's landscape and history without committing to a six-pub evening
Questions before you book
How long is Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Pub Tour small group tour max 15 people?
The published duration is 9 hours. Allow extra time to reach the meeting point and for your onward plans.
How much does Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Pub Tour small group tour max 15 people cost?
The listed starting price is From €96. 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 €96 · 9 hours Check dates & prices ↗
