Glendalough Day Tour from Dublin: Including Kilkenny City

Glendalough’s lakes, woods and medieval ruins make a fine contrast with Kilkenny’s cobbled lanes and Norman castle. This full-day tour links both with a scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains, so you can see more than Dublin without arranging transport yourself.

I like two things in particular: the changing scenery, from mountain views and bogland to the River Nore, and the useful balance of guided coach commentary and free time to explore each stop at your own pace. Guides including Alex, JJ and Richard O’Brien have been praised for lively stories and clear advice.

The trade-off is the time on the road. With about 1.5 hours at Glendalough and two hours in Kilkenny, you’ll need to choose what matters most at each stop, and the quality of the commentary can vary by guide.

• Glendalough gives you 90 minutes for the monastic ruins, river paths and lakes.
• The Wicklow Gap drive adds a scenic stretch with broad mountain views, traditional bogs and Turlogh Waterfall.
• Kilkenny gets a two-hour stop for its castle gardens, historic lanes, lunch and optional paid castle visit.
• The coach has air conditioning, WiFi and USB ports, though the journey still takes a substantial part of the day.
• The $48.27 fare covers transport and a guide, but meals and Kilkenny Castle entry cost extra.

A full day beyond Dublin

Leaving Dublin at 8:00 am, you head south with a guide and driver toward County Wicklow. The day runs about nine hours, with an expected return to the meeting point in the early evening, around 6:00 pm. Traffic can change the timing, so leave some slack if you have evening plans.

The main draw is variety. You get mountain scenery, a historic monastic site, a waterfall and a small city with a castle, all without having to drive or work out the connections yourself. For a first visit to Ireland, it is an efficient way to get a taste of the countryside beyond Dublin.

That efficiency comes with a clear compromise: this is a long coach excursion, not a hiking day or a guided walking tour at every stop. Expect commentary during the drive and time to explore independently once the bus drops you off. If you want a slow visit, a long walk at Glendalough or a thorough look around Kilkenny, you may find the schedule tight.

Glendalough’s tower, ruins and lakes

The first major stop is Glendalough, a monastic settlement set among the Wicklow Mountains. Its best-known sights include St. Kevin’s Cross and a round tower dating to the 10th century. The ruins offer a sense of the settlement’s past, while the setting is just as much of the attraction: wooded paths, a river, waterfalls and two lakes.

You have about 1.5 hours here. That is enough to see the central ruins and take a walk toward the water, but it is not an open-ended visit. The walk to the upper lake takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes, according to practical advice from people who have made the trip. Allow time for the return walk too, and decide early whether the lake matters more to you than lingering around the monastic site.

I’d arrive with a simple plan: first see the round tower and the main ruins, then walk along the river toward the lakes if time and weather allow. The paths and scenery are a major reason to come, but rain can change how much you want to walk. The tour operates in all weather, so bring suitable clothing and shoes rather than counting on a dry day.

Glendalough is also associated with the films Braveheart and P.S. I Love You. The Wicklow Mountains stood in for the Scottish Highlands in Braveheart, and Glendalough appears in scenes from P.S. I Love You. Film fans may enjoy spotting the locations, but the place is worth your attention even if you have never seen either movie.

The Wicklow Gap is part of the experience

The bus then crosses the Wicklow Gap, a high route through the mountains with wide views across the surrounding country. Along the way, you may see traditional bogs, which have long supplied fuel for Irish homes, and Turlogh Waterfall, described as one of Ireland’s highest waterfalls. The route also passes a high reservoir.

This stretch is more than a transfer between stops. It gives you a look at a quieter, more open side of Ireland, and the views are often among the day’s strongest memories. Keep your camera close, but don’t spend the whole ride looking through it. The scenery shifts as the coach climbs and descends, and the guide’s commentary can add useful context.

The road time is still worth considering honestly. One account of the day described spending much of the nine-hour outing on the bus, a reminder that the two destinations are not next door to Dublin. If you dislike long rides, this may not be your ideal day out. If you’re happy to treat the drive as part of the trip, the mountain crossing helps make the route feel like more than a simple shuttle.

Two hours to find your Kilkenny

Kilkenny sits along the River Nore and is known for its medieval streets and Norman-era castle. Once you arrive, you have two hours to explore. You can stroll the narrow lanes, visit the castle gardens, find lunch or choose one major indoor sight.

Kilkenny Castle dates to the 12th century. You can walk around its gardens without paying admission, but entry to the castle’s interior is optional and costs extra. If you want to see the rooms, check the time and ticket arrangements as soon as you arrive. Two hours can pass quickly, especially if you also want a relaxed meal.

Other possible stops include the Black Abbey and St. Canice’s Cathedral, whose round tower is a notable feature of the city. The tour does not include a guided visit to these places, so you’ll need to manage your own route and timing. For a first visit, I’d pick one or two priorities rather than trying to cover every landmark.

Kilkenny is also a good place to pause and eat, but food and drinks are not included in the tour price. Keep lunch simple if you want time for the castle or a longer walk. And if you’d rather sit down for a leisurely meal, accept that you may see fewer sights.

What the guide does, and what you do yourself

A professional guide provides live commentary on board, and the guide-driver is central to the experience. Guides named on past departures include Alex, JJ, Peter, Tom, Kevin, Don, Josh and Richard O’Brien. People have highlighted funny stories, Irish history, helpful local suggestions and clear instructions about where and when to meet back at the coach.

That said, you should not book this expecting a guided walking tour at Glendalough and Kilkenny. At both stops, you have substantial independent time. Some guides may offer more context than others, and some departures have been described as offering only a brief introduction before everyone sets off to explore. If detailed archaeological or architectural commentary at each site is essential to you, this format may disappoint.

The strongest experience seems to come when your guide makes the drive lively and useful, then gives you clear instructions for free time. Listen carefully for the return time and meeting place before leaving the coach. That small habit can spare you a stressful search when the group is ready to move on.

Coach comfort and group size

The vehicle is air-conditioned and includes WiFi and a USB port at every seat. These are practical extras on a long day: you can charge your phone, check messages and have a more comfortable ride between stops. The tour can have up to 58 people, so this is a group coach outing rather than a small private tour.

A few practical cautions: air conditioning is a feature, not a guarantee that every journey will be perfectly comfortable. A reported breakdown on a hot return ride made the coach unpleasant, though that kind of mechanical problem is not something you can predict. Dress for changing weather, bring water and a small snack, and keep essentials in a day bag you can take off the bus.

Pick-up and drop-off are listed at 34 O’Connell Street Lower in Dublin, and the tour ends back at the meeting point. If you need a different Paddywagon Tours pick-up location, you must contact the company by phone or email by 5:00 pm the evening before, and the change is confirmed only once you receive written approval. Bookings made through Viator use the pick-up point and time on the booking.

Is $48.27 good value?

At $48.27 per person, the price includes transport, a professional guide, live commentary, taxes and handling charges. You also get the convenience of reaching two destinations in one day without renting a car or arranging separate transport. For visitors based in Dublin, that convenience is a meaningful part of the value.

The fare does not cover food, drinks or admission to Kilkenny Castle. You can still enjoy the castle gardens and city streets without buying a castle ticket, but budget extra if you want to tour the interior or sit down for lunch. There is no listed admission charge for the Glendalough stop.

Value depends on what you want from the day. If your goal is a broad introduction to Wicklow and Kilkenny, with scenery and independent time at each stop, the fare is reasonable. If you want a long hike, extensive time at the ruins or in-depth guided visits, you may get more from arranging a slower visit on your own, if transport suits your plans.

Who should book this day trip?

I’d recommend this tour if you are staying in Dublin, want to see both Glendalough and Kilkenny, and are comfortable spending a good part of the day on a coach. It works particularly well for first-time visitors who would rather leave the driving and route planning to someone else.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a full hike at Glendalough, several hours inside Kilkenny’s sights, or a small-group experience. The group may reach 58 people, and the visits are largely self-guided. Be realistic about the pace, choose your priorities in advance and you’ll make better use of the limited time.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so check your plans before the deadline.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is 34 O’Connell Street Lower, North City, Dublin 1. The tour starts at 8:00 am and ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about nine hours. The expected return to Dublin is in the early evening, around 6:00 pm, though traffic can affect the timing.

How much time do I get at Glendalough?

You have about 1.5 hours at Glendalough. This allows time for the monastic ruins and a walk toward the lakes, but you’ll need to manage your time carefully.

How long is the stop in Kilkenny?

The stop in Kilkenny is two hours. You can explore the city, visit the castle gardens, eat lunch or pay extra to tour the castle interior.

Is Kilkenny Castle admission included?

No. Admission to the castle interior is not included and is optional for an additional fee. The tour description notes that the castle gardens can be explored.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to buy lunch and any refreshments in Kilkenny or bring your own.

What is included on the coach?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi, USB ports at every seat, live commentary and a professional guide. The maximum group size is 58 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.