From Dublin: Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour

One day, three Irish icons. This Dublin departure tour strings together Glendalough valley, big Wicklow Mountains viewpoints, and Kilkenny’s medieval lanes, with guides like Pat and drivers like Adam keeping the day moving and making it fun.

I especially like the built-in pacing: guided walking time at Glendalough and Kilkenny, then free time when you want to wander at your own speed. You’ll also get onboard Wi-Fi and USB charging so the long ride stays painless.

The only real drawback to plan for is that it’s a 9 hour day, and Glendalough includes optional walking routes, so you will want comfortable shoes and a weather-ready outfit.

Key things to know before you go

• Guides turn the bus into story time, with real Irish history and laughs, from Pat to Phil and Mike
• Glendalough is the heart of the day, with a guided monastery walk plus free time to linger
• Choose your Glendalough effort level, including an optional Upper Lake hike via boardwalk (about 2.5 km)
• You get a Wicklow Gap photo break, around 10 minutes for mountain views before heading on
• You’ll drive by recognizable film locations, including P.S. I Love You and Braveheart sites
• Kilkenny is flexible, with lunch freedom, a chance to picnic near the castle, and an optional guided city walk

Morning Start From The Gresham, Right by The Spire

This tour begins at the Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin. You meet at the Collins bus near the front of the hotel, a short walk from the Spire of Dublin. There’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll want to arrive early enough to find the right bus and get settled.

The ride out is part of the experience, not just a transfer. The coach is set up for comfort, and it includes Wi-Fi plus USB charging points. Since food and drinks are not allowed on the vehicle, plan on eating at Kilkenny or bringing snacks only if the tour explicitly allows it during free time.

Glendalough Valley: Medieval Monastery Walk, Then Time to Breathe

Glendalough is the “slow down” part of the day. After about 1.5 hours by coach from Dublin, you arrive in a place that feels tucked away, with dramatic valley views and the remains of an early monastic settlement.

You start with a guided walking tour of the monastic area. This is the best way to understand what you’re seeing, because the guide can connect the stones to the bigger story of why monastic sites mattered in Ireland. Once the guided portion ends, you get free time to explore on your own, relax, or grab something at a local café.

What I like about this setup is that you get both styles: structure for the important context, plus space to simply take in the valley. If you’re the type who likes quiet photo moments, Glendalough is where you’ll find them.

The Upper Lake Option: Pick a Short Walk or a Longer Route

Glendalough also gives you an optional walking choice. The more adventurous can hike to the Upper Lake and return via a boardwalk, with the route described as about 2.5 km. There are also other path options that take you past the Lower Lake through a nature trail that leads into the valley toward the Upper Lake.

You don’t have to go far to enjoy Glendalough. Even if you only do an easier portion, the guided monastic walk still gives you the historical anchor. But if you want the classic lake views, plan for time, water, and sturdy shoes.

This matters because the tour is built for variety. If you show up prepared, you’ll be able to match your energy level to the day rather than forcing yourself to “keep up.”

Wicklow Gap Photo Stop: The Quickest Way to See Big Mountain Views

After Glendalough, the tour keeps rolling through the Wicklow Mountains. As you drive, the guide shares facts about geology and history, which helps the scenery feel more “explained” and less like random roadside views.

Then comes the Wicklow Gap photo stop. It’s scheduled as about 10 minutes, which is short on paper, but it’s timed for a reason. You’ll get a focused chance to step out, catch the mountain panorama, and grab a few photos before everyone boards again.

Here’s the practical tip: treat the photo stop like a sprint. Pick your angles quickly, and keep your spot in mind so you’re not wandering when it’s time to rejoin the group.

Movie Locations on the Drive: P.S. I Love You and Braveheart

One fun part of this day trip is the movie-location driving route. You’ll pass sites used in P.S. I Love You and Braveheart, and your guide will point out what to look for.

This doesn’t replace the real sightseeing, but it adds a “wait, I’ve seen that” layer that makes the drive more engaging. It’s also a nice break between walking stops, because you get seated sightseeing with commentary instead of more hiking.

If you like pop-culture trivia, this is a bonus. If you do not, you can still enjoy the scenery and let the guide’s route markers fade into the background.

Getting to Kilkenny: Lunch Freedom Plus Optional Guided Lanes

Kilkenny is the final major stop, and it’s built for mixing structure with free time. Once you arrive, you get free time to navigate narrow lanes and historic buildings. This is where you can slow down, pop into small shops, and plan lunch.

Your options are flexible. You can enjoy lunch in local pubs, or picnic on the Kilkenny Castle grounds if that fits your vibe. Just note that entry to Kilkenny Castle is not included, so if you want to go inside, you’ll need to handle that separately.

There’s also an optional guided walking tour of Kilkenny. If you join it, you’ll get a clearer sense of the city’s medieval layout and landmarks, which helps the time feel more meaningful. If you skip it, you can still enjoy the city at your own pace, especially if you’re using free time to shop or snack hop.

Guided Walking in Kilkenny: When the Castle Matters Most

Even if you do not go inside the castle, Kilkenny Castle is a strong focal point. It gives you a satisfying “medieval wall” feeling, and it’s also a handy meeting point for your own self-guided exploration.

What makes the Kilkenny portion work on a 9 hour day is that it’s not only about the castle. You get time for lanes, historic buildings, and everyday city life, not just one photo spot. That balance is why Kilkenny feels more complete than a stop that rushes you in and out.

The Long Day Reality: Timing, Walking, and Weather

This is not a half-day tour. From start to finish, it’s about 9 hours, and it includes significant travel time between counties. That’s totally fine if you know what you’re buying: you’re paying for an efficient “see the highlights with a guide” route.

Walking wise, it depends on your choices at Glendalough. The guided monastery walk is part of the plan, and then you can decide whether to add the Upper Lake hike via boardwalk or take a shorter route. Either way, wear shoes that won’t punish you halfway through the day.

Weather is also a real factor in Wicklow and Glendalough. Bring clothing that works for wind and changing skies, since you’ll be outside for viewpoints and walking.

Value for Around $45: What Your Ticket Actually Covers

At about $45 per person, the value is in the package. You’re not just buying “transport,” you’re paying for:

• round-trip coach transportation from Dublin
• onboard Wi-Fi and USB charging points
• tour guides plus walking tours in Glendalough and Kilkenny
• guided commentary during the drives, including geology/history and film-location points

The ticket does not include lunch, and Kilkenny Castle entry is not included. So yes, you will spend a bit more for food and any optional attractions. But compared to renting a car, paying for multiple private guides, and then piecing together travel between three very different places, this price often feels fair.

Also, the guides make a difference. The day tends to be funny, inclusive, and story-driven. People have praised guides like Pat and Phil for blending humor with history, and drivers such as Mike and Adam for keeping the ride smooth and safe through winding roads.

Who This Tour Suits Best, and Who Should Rethink It

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• a guided, easy-to-follow day out of Dublin
• major sights without planning a route
• a mix of walking, viewpoints, and free time

It’s especially good for first-timers to Ireland who want countryside plus a medieval city in one day. You’ll get monastery context at Glendalough and a more human-scale sense of Kilkenny’s lanes, not just scenic stops.

It might be less ideal if:

• you want a slow travel pace with long stays at each location
• you hate guided group dynamics
• you are not comfortable with optional hiking at Glendalough

The tour is not suitable for children under 3, and it’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Should You Book This Dublin-to-Wicklow-to-Kilkenny Day Trip?

I’d book it if you want the classic combo: Glendalough for the monastic valley, Wicklow for mountain views, and Kilkenny for medieval streets in a manageable day. The guided walks are a strong use of your time, and the free time means you can still do your own thing for lunch and wandering.

I would skip it if you already have a lot of days in the area and you prefer to drive or hike independently with zero schedule pressure. In that case, you might want more time per stop.

If you are trying to make Dublin feel more like Ireland, this tour is an efficient and genuinely fun way to do it, with guides like Pat, Phil, and Mac often bringing the day to life through stories and songs, not just facts.

FAQ

Where do I meet the tour in Dublin?

You meet at the Collins bus near the front of Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin, close to the Spire of Dublin.

What are the main stops on the tour?

You visit Glendalough (with a guided walking tour), a photo stop at Wicklow Gap, and Kilkenny (with lunch time and an optional guided walking tour).

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but your guide will point out options in Kilkenny, including a picnic spot on the Kilkenny Castle grounds.

Is entry to Kilkenny Castle included?

No. Entry to Kilkenny Castle is not included.

How much walking is involved at Glendalough?

You’ll do a guided walking tour in Glendalough. There is also an optional hike to the Upper Lake, described as about 2.5 km via boardwalk.

Is Wi-Fi available on the bus?

Yes. Wi-Fi on board is included, along with USB charging points.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.