Glendalough Tour from Dublin: Wicklow Mountains and Kilkenny in 9 Hours

Included for Your $50

The price buys round-trip transport on a luxury bus with Wi-Fi and USB charging points, tour guides, a walking tour of Glendalough and a walking tour of Kilkenny. The optional hike to the Upper Lake and back by boardwalk, about 2.5 km, is available at Glendalough if you want more than the monastery tour.

The monastic settlement tour at Glendalough and the Kilkenny city tour are described as optional in the listing, so if you would rather wander alone or sit at a cafe, you can.

• Round-trip transportation on a luxury bus
• Wi-Fi and USB charging points on board
• Tour guides in English
• Walking tour of Glendalough
• Walking tour of Kilkenny

What You Pay for Yourself

Three things are excluded and you should budget for them. Hotel pickup and drop-off is not included, so you make your own way to the Gresham meeting point. Entry to Kilkenny Castle is not included, so going inside is your own ticket. Lunch is not included, but the guide points out options in Kilkenny such as the picnic spot on the castle grounds, or you can bring your own food.

Note the vehicle rule: food and drinks are not allowed on the bus, so eat before boarding or finish in Kilkenny. Bring comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. A tip of about 10 percent in a table-service restaurant or pub in Ireland is typical when service is good, and rounding up a taxi fare is normal.

How It Compares on Price

Among the day tours from Dublin on this site, this one is the from-price leader at $50. The Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Galway day runs $87 for 13 hours, the Giant's Causeway and Belfast day is $89 for 12 hours, and the three-castle day to Blarney, Cashel and Cahir is $95 for 12 hours but adds all three admissions.

Meeting at the Gresham

You meet at the 'Collins' bus near the front of the Hotel Riu Plaza, The Gresham Dublin. The meeting point is a 3-minute walk from the Spire of Dublin, the 120-metre steel monument. There is no hotel pickup, so plan to arrive in time.

Starting times are shown when you check availability, and the listing gives no fixed departure clock time.

The Drive to Glendalough, About 1.5 Hours

The coach leaves Dublin and the guide fills the ride with stories about the city before the countryside takes over. Glendalough sits in County Wicklow about an hour and a half away. The name means valley of two lakes, and the site was founded by St Kevin in the 6th century.

Its round tower stands about 30 metres high.

Glendalough Walking Tour and Free Time

At Glendalough you can join the guided tour of the monastic settlement, which is included, or use the free time to explore or relax at a local cafe. The site lies in Wicklow Mountains National Park and has nine marked walking trails. If you want the extra walk, the listing describes an optional hike to the Upper Lake returning by boardwalk, about 2.5 km, passing the Lower Lake on a nature trail deep in the valley.

Wicklow Gap Photo Stop, 10 Minutes

Back on the road the coach crosses the Wicklow Mountains. The guide talks about the geology and history as you pass filming locations for P.S. I Love You and Braveheart. There is a stated 10-minute photo stop at the Wicklow Gap for the panoramic views, then the scenic ride continues towards Kilkenny.

Kilkenny Free Time and City Tour

Kilkenny is 117 km from Dublin and had 27,184 residents at the last count. You get free time for lunch in the narrow medieval lanes. The guide points out a picnic spot on the Kilkenny Castle grounds, the seat of the Butler family, or you can buy food in the pubs and cafes.

The included walking tour covers the city, and St Canice's Cathedral has a 9th century round tower nearby.

The Ride Home, About 2 Hours, Ending at College Green

The bus leg back to Dublin is stated as about 2 hours. The tour finishes at College Green in the city centre, not at the Gresham, so keep that in mind for evening plans. The listing gives no return time.

Families with Children Under 3

The listing is explicit: not suitable for children under 3 years. If you need a day that suits very young children, you could stay in the city and visit the Book of Kells at Trinity College, which is thought to date from about 800 AD.

Travellers with Mobility Impairments

The listing states the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Glendalough involves walking, and the optional Upper Lake hike is about 2.5 km on a boardwalk trail. Nobody should book this expecting step-free access.

Check with the operator directly before booking if your needs are marginal.

People Who Want a Small Group or a Short Day

This is a group coach tour and the size is not stated, so do not count on a small group. Nine hours is also a real commitment, and the vehicle forbids food and drink, so bring snacks for the day and eat in Kilkenny. If a coach that big puts you off, the small-group multi-day tours cap their numbers, for example the 10-Day Wild Ireland Tour at up to 16 passengers, and it includes Glendalough entrance fees over ten days.

Travellers Who Want Castle Entries Built in

Entry to Kilkenny Castle is not included here. If you want a castle day where every admission is paid, the Blarney Castle, Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle day includes all three for $95 over 12 hours. Its from price is higher, but you buy nothing on the day except lunch.

From Dublin Airport

The airport is 7 km north of the city centre. Dublin Bus routes 16 and 41 cost €2 to €3.30 and take 30 to 50 minutes, and route 41 runs around the clock. Aircoach route 700 costs about €8 to €10 and takes 30 to 40 minutes, and Dublin Express runs 4am to 12:30am for about €9.

A taxi takes 20 to 30 minutes and costs roughly €30 to €45.

By Train

Heuston is the station for the Galway, Cork and Killarney lines. Irish Rail's journey planner covers these and sells Leap cards. Dublin to Galway by train takes about 2h 20m to 2h 50m from Heuston on the Irish Rail timetable, useful to know if you plan to continue west after your day trip.

Pairing the Day with a Longer Tour

If one day of Wicklow and Kilkenny leaves you wanting more, two directions make sense. West and southwest, the 5-Day South West Ireland Tour covers Galway, Clare, Kerry and Cork with four nights of rooms and breakfast. North, the 2-Day Northern Ireland Tour adds Belfast and the Giant's Causeway.

Remember that Northern Ireland uses pounds sterling, not euros, and speed limits there are in mph. If you will cross the border, a UK ETA is required for many nationalities, and the published fee figures differ between sources, so confirm the current amount on gov.uk before you travel. Browse every option on tours of Ireland.