A quick escape from Dublin to real Ireland. This Dublin-to-Wicklow-to-Kilkenny day trip swaps city time for mountain air, ancient ruins, and medieval streets, with your guide turning the drive into story time. I especially like how you get Glendalough’s monastic valley plus a guided walking tour, not just a quick photo stop.

My other big plus is Kilkenny: you’ll have time to wander lanes on your own and also join a guided city walk if you want the background. One thing to consider is the pace: it’s a full day in a coach with walking involved, and it’s not designed for people with mobility impairments or for very young kids.

Key Things I’d Circle Before You Book

• Glendalough walking tour with history and context, plus optional Upper Lake hike
• Wicklow Gap photo stop for big mountain views
• Movie-location road stories on the way through Wicklow (P.S. I Love You and Braveheart)
• Kilkenny free time for lunch, shopping, and exploring narrow medieval streets
• Optional guided tour in Kilkenny so you can go deeper than a self-guided stroll

Getting Started From The Gresham: The Bus Day That Actually Works

This tour starts at the Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham in Dublin, meeting at the Collins bus near the front. The meeting point is close to the Spire of Dublin, so it’s easy to orient yourself before you board.

You’ll head out by luxury coach, and the early part is about settling in. Expect Wi‑Fi and USB charging on board, which is handy for maps, music, or taking a few calm breaks before the walking starts.

A useful detail: food and drinks aren’t allowed on the vehicle. That means plan for snacks before you board or buy something once you’re in Kilkenny or Glendalough, depending on the timing.

The Drive to Wicklow: Stories, Scenic Roads, and Built-In Entertainment

Getting from Dublin to County Wicklow is part of the experience here, not just the boring bit. The ride is about 1.5 hours to Glendalough, and your guide fills the time with facts and fun stories about the region and Dublin itself.

What makes this matter is simple: if you’re only in Ireland for a short trip, you can’t afford to waste coach time. Guides like Pat and Teresa (names that come up again and again) are praised for keeping the day moving with clear explanations and good humor—so the drive feels like it has a purpose.

You’ll also start spotting the kind of countryside you came for: rolling green fields, mountain edges, and that unmistakable Irish sky that can change every ten minutes.

Glendalough Monastery: Why This Valley Still Feels Powerful

Glendalough is one of those places where the setting does half the work for you. The valley is described as one of the most beautiful corners of Ireland, and when you arrive you’ll see why—peaceful lakes, quiet trails, and a monastic settlement with serious historical weight.

You’ll get a walking tour of the Glendalough monastery area, guided. This is where you’ll learn what you’re looking at—what the site was, how it fits into Ireland’s wider story, and why the valley became such a meaningful place. It’s also the kind of tour that helps you slow down. If you’ve ever felt like you’re staring at ruins without context, you’ll appreciate the guide doing the translating.

Lower Lake to Upper Lake: The Optional Hike That’s Worth Knowing

At Glendalough, you can keep it relaxed or get more active. The more adventurous option is a hike to the Upper Lake, returning via a boardwalk route. It’s listed at about 2.5 km, which is short on paper but still a real leg-day walk once you’re on the trail.

The route typically goes past the Lower Lake through a nature trail into the valley and onward to the Upper Lake. If you’re deciding on the spot, use this rule: if you’re wearing comfortable shoes and your legs are awake, take the hike. If you want photos, quiet, and minimal effort, use the free time to wander more gently around the area or stop for a café.

Either way, Glendalough tends to be the emotional highlight of the day—the place where the scenery stops being “pretty” and starts feeling calm.

Wicklow Mountains and the Wicklow Gap: The Photo Stop With a Payoff

After Glendalough, the tour continues through the Wicklow Mountains. As you drive, your guide shares info about geology and history, plus you’ll pass famous film locations, including P.S. I Love You and Braveheart.

Then there’s a 10-minute photo stop at Wicklow Gap. Ten minutes sounds short because it is short, but it’s also the right length for this kind of viewing point. You’re there to grab a few wide-angle shots, take in the mountain air, and get back on the road before the weather has a chance to fully flip the script.

If you’re someone who likes photos but hates long roadside waits, this format is a good match.

Kilkenny Arrival: Medieval Lanes, Castle Grounds, and Real Free Time

The ride into Kilkenny sets up the next phase: less nature, more streets. Once you arrive, you’ll have free time to navigate the narrow lanes and historic buildings.

This is where the day trip turns from “see sights” to “actually enjoy a place.” You can choose how you want to spend your time:

• Picnic on the Kilkenny Castle grounds (a popular option on this tour)
• Or stop for lunch in local pubs
• Or simply wander and duck into shops

A quick practical note: entry to Kilkenny Castle itself isn’t included. So if you want to tour inside, you’ll have to decide separately based on your interest and time.

Optional Guided Tour of Kilkenny: When It Helps

There’s also an optional guided tour of the city. This is valuable if you want more than a stroll—especially in Kilkenny, where the older streets and buildings reward you for knowing what you’re looking at.

Guides are often praised for balancing facts with stories, and for making sure people can ask questions. If you get a guide who does that well (names like Mac, Brian, and Phil are highlighted in comments), the city walk feels like a living map instead of a lecture.

The Timing Reality: How a 9-Hour Day Still Feels Flexible

This tour runs about 9 hours total. That’s a long day, but it’s structured in a way that keeps it manageable: coach time for travel, guided time for context, and free time for personal choice.

You’ll return to Dublin after Kilkenny with a roughly 2-hour coach ride. The end point is back at College Green in Dublin, and the day closes back near the central area where it started.

For many people, the “just right” part is the mix:

• Guided walks so you don’t miss what matters
• Free time so you can eat, browse, and breathe
• Optional hike so you can match effort level to energy level

Value Check: Is It Worth Around $45?

At about $45 per person, this is strong value if you like guided sightseeing but don’t want to plan three separate stops on your own. Your money covers round-trip transportation, Wi‑Fi and USB charging, tour guides, and the walking tours in both Glendalough and Kilkenny.

You still pay for what’s not included:

• Lunch
• Entry to Kilkenny Castle

That’s pretty normal for this type of day tour. The key is to treat it like a packaged experience rather than a cheap transport deal. When the guide is good—and multiple people praise guides such as Pat, Teresa, Phillip/Phil, and Mac—you’re buying time-saving context plus a smoother day.

If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys learning while seeing the scenery, this price makes sense. If you only want to stand around and take pictures, you might feel the cost more than the value.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This fits best if you want:

• A one-day overview of Wicklow’s nature and Kilkenny’s medieval feel
• A guided explanation of Glendalough and Kilkenny
• A day that includes both planned stops and free time

It’s not suitable for children under 3 and it’s not suited for people with mobility impairments. If walking a couple distances plus uneven terrain is a no-go for you, you may want a different format—maybe a shorter, more accessible tour.

Also, bring comfortable shoes. The optional hike and the walking tours mean your feet will be doing real work, not just museum-stroll work.

The Practical Stuff I’d Plan Before You Go

Ireland weather is a personality, not just a forecast. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and expect conditions to shift during the day.

A simple planning trick: decide your Glendalough plan (relaxed vs Upper Lake hike) before you get there. It avoids that awkward moment where you feel pressured by the group pace.

And for lunch in Kilkenny: since lunch isn’t included, come ready to either:

• Buy something in town (your guide will point out options), or
• Picnic (the castle grounds are one suggested place to do it)

Just remember the vehicle rule: no food or drinks on board, so any snacks need to wait until you’re off the coach.

Should You Book This Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, and Kilkenny Tour?

If you’re visiting Dublin and want a day that feels like you escaped the city without losing control of the schedule, I think this is a smart booking. You get the big hitters—Glendalough, Wicklow Gap, and Kilkenny—with guided walking tours and enough free time to enjoy the places, not just rush through them.

Book it if you:

• Like guided stories with historical context
• Want optional activity levels (especially at Glendalough)
• Appreciate a smooth coach day with good timing

Skip it if you:

• Can’t do walking or uneven ground
• Only want one city and don’t care about mountains or lakes
• Are hoping lunch and castle entry are included (they aren’t)

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 9 hours. Exact starting times vary, so you’ll want to check availability for the departure you prefer.

Where do I meet and where does it end?

You meet at the Collins bus near the front of the Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin. The tour ends back in Dublin at College Green.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes round-trip transportation, Wi‑Fi on board, USB charging points, tour guides, plus walking tours of Glendalough and Kilkenny.

Is lunch included?

No. There will be free time for lunch in Kilkenny, and you can either buy lunch in town or picnic in suggested spots like the Kilkenny Castle grounds.

Is Kilkenny Castle entry included?

No. Entry to Kilkenny Castle isn’t included, even if you picnic on the castle grounds.

Is there an option to hike at Glendalough?

Yes. There’s an optional hike to the Upper Lake with a return via a boardwalk, about 2.5 km.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and bring weather-appropriate clothing. Food and drinks aren’t allowed in the vehicle, so plan snacks and meals for when you’re off the coach.