Wicklow Mountain, Glendalough & Kilkenny Full-Day Tour
ID: GYG38157-47596
Category:
Country: Ireland
Duration:
10:00 hours
Description
Take a journey through Ireland on a full-day tour of the Wicklow Mountains, monastic site of Glendalough, and the medieval city of Kilkenny. Enjoy scenic views, lush valleys, and still lakes and watch a shepherd with his trusty border collie sheepdog.
Enjoy a combined full-day sightseeing tour of some of Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes, including the 12th-century castle of Kilkenny, the rugged Wicklow Mountains, and the 7th-century monastery of Glendalough.
The first stop is Kilkenny Castle, majestically located on the banks of the River Nore. The craft capital of Ireland, you can visit the Kilkenny Art and Design Centre to get a better appreciation of the craft traditions of goldsmiths, sculptors, painters and more.
Stroll around the cobblestone streets, and visit Saint Frances Brewery, Ireland’s oldest. Admire the magnificent silk merchant’s mansion of Rothe House, containing priceless Viking artifacts. And walk in the medieval gardens to see historic varietals of fruit and veg, such as Gortahok cabbage and Blood of Boyne apples.
Enjoy lunch in one of the city’s artisan cafés.
En route to Glendalough, drive into the wild Wicklow Mountains of County Carlow. Watch as the landscape changes from lush green pastures and gentle valleys, to the glacial valleys of Wicklow Gap, giving it a cinematic quality that made it a popular location to shoot movies such as “Braveheart” and “PS I Love You.”
Continue over the mountains to explore the monastic site of Glendalough, where Christianity was re-introduced to Ireland after the Dark Ages. Learn about Saint Kevin, founder of the 7th-century monastery, and see intact architecture, such as St. Kevin’s Kitchen, Church and Round Tower. Meaning “Glen of 2 Lakes,” a hike around the glen’s lower lake takes less than 1 hour, while a walk around the upper lake takes just over 1 hour.
The final part of your epic journey takes you through the highest village in Ireland, known as Roundwood. Marvel at the Sugarloaf Mountains, which were higher than the Alps before the Ice Age. Pass Powerscourt Estate and the Glen of Imaal en route to Kilnacanogue. Your guide will regale you with stories about Ireland, and you’ll even be treated to some traditional Irish music as you drive back to Dublin.
Highlights
- Travel through the medieval heart of Ireland to explore historic Kilkenny
- Stroll the narrow streets of Kilkenny and visit the oldest brewery in Ireland
- Drive over the rugged mountains and glacial valleys of the Wicklow Mountains
- See location sites from movies, such as "Braveheart"
- Discover where Christianity was re-introduced to Ireland at the 7th-century monastery of Glendalough
- Visit a shepherd on the Wicklow Mountains and watch as his trusty sheepdog rounds up the sheep around the field and into corrals
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This tour operates 7 days a week.
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
You are required to bring and wear a mask
Please wait outside the building so you can see the bus pull up.
Driver/Guides will not wait past departure time, so please make sure you are at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before scheduled departure time.
Pick-up locations:
8:10 - Gresham Hotel, O'Connell Street
8:20 - Ulster Bank on Dame Street
8:30 - Jurys Inn, Christ Church
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 48 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 48 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.
