Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Sheepdog Trials Tour
What your day looks like
Travelling beyond Dublin, this tour offers a relaxed way to experience some of Ireland’s most historic and scenic regions in a single day. Combining medieval heritage, mountain landscapes, and rural traditions, the journey provides a well-balanced introduction to Ireland outside the capital. After exploring Kilkenny during an included guided walking tour, the route continues through the Wicklow Mountains National Park, where winding roads, open valleys, and mountain views reveal a quieter side of Ireland. A stop at a traditional sheep farm near Laragh offers visitors the chance to see a working sheepdog demonstration and learn more about everyday farming life, an important tradition that has shaped the landscape for generations. Throughout the journey, your guide shares stories of Irish history, folklore, and local life while a dedicated driver ensures a smooth and comfortable experience. At Glendalough, guests join a guided walk through one of Ireland’s most important early Christian settlements, followed by free time to explore monastic ruins, lakeside paths, and woodland scenery at their own pace. With onboard WiFi, comfortable transport, and a balance of guided experiences and independent exploration, this tour is designed for travellers who want to experience Ireland’s history and natural beauty in an informative yet relaxed way on a day trip from Dublin.
The experience, in brief
- Explore the medieval city of Kilkenny with a guided walking tour
- Visit Glendalough and enjoy a guided walk through the monastic site
- Scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Photo stop at the Wicklow Gap (weather permitting)
- Visit a traditional sheep farm with live sheepdog demonstration
Your day, step by step
Kilkenny
City/Town Tour.
Kilkenny
Sightseeing.
Dublin
Sightseeing at Wicklow Mountains National Park.
Dublin
Eco Tour.
Dublin
City/Town Tour at Glendalough.
Dublin
Sightseeing at Glendalough.
What to know before booking
Included
Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach Professional driver and guide Guided walking tour of Kilkenny Guided walking tour of Glendalough Visit to a traditional sheep farm with sheepdog demonstration Scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains National Park Photo stop at the Wicklow Gap (weather permitting) Regular comfort stops throughout the day
Not Included
Food and drinks Hotel pickup or drop-off Restrooms on board
What to Bring
Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven ground Dress for changing weather conditions, including a waterproof jacket Bring water and snacks if desired, although food and refreshments are available during scheduled stops A camera is recommended to capture scenic viewpoints and landscapes This tour may not be suitable for travellers prone to motion sickness due to winding mountain roads. Front seats cannot be reserved. Guests with mobility concerns or disabilities are encouraged to contact our office before travel so we can advise and assist where possible Please arrive at your selected departure point at least 10 minutes before departure time
Restrictions
We apologise but we cannot accept reservations for babies aged 2 and under. Please note that this tour includes long scenic drives on winding country roads. If you suffer from motion sickness, we do not recommend booking this tour. Front-row seating is reserved for guests with mobility needs and operational requirements and is not available for motion sickness requests.
Meeting & Pickup
Pick-up is available from three central Dublin locations: • 8:10 AM - Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin, 23 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin, D01 C3W7 • 8:20 AM - Bus Stop, 33 College Green / Dame Street, Dublin 2, D02 DD76 (next to Hawksmoor Restaurant) • 8:30 AM - Leonardo Hotel Dublin Christchurch, Dublin 8, D08 REK7 Please arrive at your selected pick-up point at least 15 minutes before departure time. The coach cannot wait for late arrivals. Drop-off takes place at approximately 6:15 PM on Westmoreland Street, Dublin City Centre (or nearby), depending on traffic conditions.
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 3 Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Automatic
What travelers are saying
Lovely tour! Our kids (ages 12 & 16) also enjoyed it! Our guide especially added to the magic of it, by singing celtic songs and giving us the full experience of the culture. Loved the hike to Glendalough! Just beautiful. You really shouldn’t hesitate to do this tour. 10/10!
Wonderful time getting out of Dublin and seeing more of Ireland.
We had a great time. Things were timed perfectly so we got to see a lot but never felt rushed (or overwhelmed). I'm really glad we took this tour.
Our guide, Liam Ryan was a fountain of knowledge and shared many personal stories about his hometown of Kilkenny. Really enjoyed the Wicklow Mountains and the border collie demonstration as well. We highly recommend!!
Great tour! Tour guide was very personable and knowledgeable. The sheep farm was amazing. Highly recommend.
Our day trip was the highlight of our vacation! Caroline & JP were fantastic guides. Caroline was informative and interesting. We would recommend this tour to anybody traveling to Ireland. The sheep farm visit was interesting and gave insight into this lifestyle. The nature preserve and visit to the monastic site was really interesting. Kilkenny was a town we want to visit longer. We did go through the castle, as well. Thank you!
One of the best days of our trip! Mike was an excellent and knowledgeable tour guide. Holding the lambs at the end was the cherry on top of an excellent day in the Irish countryside.
Liam was great!