Dublin: Glendalough, Wicklow, Kilkenny and Sheepdog Herding Experience

Experience the beauty of Dublin with a visit to Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains. Explore the historic city of Kilkenny and witness a real shepherd and his sheepdog in action at Glendalough.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Temple Bar - Your adventure begins with a tour departing from Dublin. As soon as the coach sets off, your guide will highlight all the sights along the way through and out of Dublin City. This journey showcases dramatic changes in the landscape, transitioning from the grey streets of Dublin to the lush green roads of Wicklow. Witness how the scenery evolves during this short drive to the neighboring county. The route takes you through the heart of Dublin City, passing landmarks like Trinity College and Temple Bar, along the Liffey past the Guinness Brewery, and up into Kilmainham, where Viking settlers once buried their dead. This memorable journey takes you from Dublin, the Fair City, to Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland.

  • Glendalough Monastic Settlement - Known as The Valley of Two Lakes, Glendalough is one of Ireland’s most beautiful and secluded valleys. Nestled in the heart of Wicklow, within the largest upland area in Ireland, it offers a serene place for peace and exploration. As one of Ireland’s earliest and most significant monastic sites, your guide will lead a walking tour of the ancient city, revealing its rich history. The ruins of the monastic city are among the best-preserved in Ireland. From the Round Tower to the wish-granting Cross of St. Kevin, explore at your own pace after the guided tour, with ample free time. You might hear the tale of St. Kevin and the Blackbird or learn about the Pagan Celts. Glendalough offers countless memories and moments, whether in the Monastic City, by the streams and trees, or around the lakeshores.

  • Dublin Mountains - This stop is part of the tour through the Wicklow Mountains, extending almost all the way to Kilkenny. Here, we pause at one of only two roads crossing the mountains. At the top of Wicklow Gap, amidst fields of rushes, heather, and wildflowers, domestic sheep roam freely by the winding road. A viewing platform provides a stunning vista towards Dublin Bay, and even on foggy days, the wildness of Wicklow surrounds you. This stop lasts about 15 minutes.

  • Ballybought - The next stop is an Irish farm where a skilled shepherd will demonstrate his work with animals. Ireland’s agricultural history dates back 5,500 years, and you’ll meet someone at the forefront of this tradition. Meet the sheep and dogs, and witness the incredible skill and dedication of the shepherd and his well-trained sheepdogs. Learn about the history of wool and sheep farming in Ireland and its significance. The demonstration showcases the shepherd’s expertise and compassion, as well as the challenges faced by modern Irish farmers. This demonstration lasts about 45 minutes.

  • Kilkenny - The final stop before returning to Dublin! You’ll have around 2 hours to explore this beautiful city, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture. Wander the narrow, winding streets, walk over stones worn smooth by centuries of foot traffic, and take in the surroundings. Visit Kilkenny Castle, learn about the explosive arrival of gunpowder in the medieval era, find the haunted pub, and hear about Ireland’s first witch trial. Perhaps try a pint from a brewery older than Guinness and discover what some call a ‘Real Irish Beer.’ From shopping to sightseeing, old bookshops to quaint antiques, and enjoying a quiet coffee after walking the Medieval Mile, Kilkenny offers something for everyone.

What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

A beautiful tour through some of the the most peaceful parts of Ireland from the valley of Glendalough to the stone streets of Kilkenny. Experience a real shepherd and his sheepdog at work, herding a flock of sheep at Glendalough. Hike around one of Irelands most amazing outdoor locations and travel over the Wicklow Mountains in style! You will explore the fantastic little city of Kilkenny, at your leisure visit the castles, abbeys, and city streets that have stood for hundreds of years.

  • Not recommended for small children. If they are very used to travelling on a bus tour and very used to walking, please book 1 seat per child and bring your own child seat.
  • Not recommended to those with walking disabilities (a fair amount of walking involved)
  • Not recommended for participants with back problems, with heart complaints, pregnant women or other serious medical conditions
  • If passengers are late to the pick up the bus will not wait for them even if they call the office before hand. Must make sure they are on time. If passengers are intoxicated at any stage of the tour they will not be allowed on/back on the bus.
  • The pick up point is in the City Centre so there is no parking available for passengers to leave their cars for the entire day.
  • Use the bathroom prior to coming to the pick up point. Bring a packed lunch and also wear comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes as well as a rainproof jacket.
Location
Hugh Lane Gallery
Parnell Square North
Please be at the departure point 5 - 10 mins before our tour leaves. Meeting point: Outside Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, Parnell Square N, Dublin 1, at 8 am Return point: 12 Aston Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 TE81, Ireland between 6:30pm and 7:30pm.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(1262 Ratings)
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Elena_b
Sep 1, 2024
Fun day out of Dublin - Well worth the price. Good coach bus, super nice guide Rachel, cute ship dog demonstration. Rachel made everyone feel welcome and took good care of her “Woolf pack”.
Review provided by Viator
Brenton_w
Aug 31, 2024
Best value to explore the Dublin Surrounding Area - Easily the best way to see the countryside and other items of interest outside of Dublin if only in town for a few days. Glendalough, Kilkenny and the Sheepdog Demonstration are all worth the visit.
Review provided by Viator
G5763wzfernandol
Aug 30, 2024
Glendalough & Kilkenny - Amazing places, incredible views. The perfect company to travel and know beautiful places. Quiggs and Dan are absolutely the best ones.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James_b
Aug 30, 2024
Great day trip - The ride doesn't seem long, the scenery is worth the trip. Sheeping is a great thing especially for those not familiar with farming. Plenty of shopping is available too. Harry is marvelous
Review provided by Viator
Vale1976_12
Aug 27, 2024
Highly recommended - Everything was perfect. Mark the guide ia very good guide, he explained well the stories and the attractions, speaking clearly and slowly. Also Noshad was a good driver and on the bus I could charge my phone. The tour was amazing, we had many stops and interesting things to see.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Israel_c
Aug 26, 2024
Excellent - The tour is excellent. Our guide Collum gave us a great history of Ireland from pre-history all the way to modern time politics, he was very entertaining as well. If I may give one criticism is not enough breaks for restroom use
Review provided by Viator
Adriana
Aug 24, 2024
Best value tour - I could easily tell it is the best value I have got for a tour. The 3 sites are all worth the visit and the ride was safe and comfortable with enough time on each spot to get the most out of it and at the same time didn’t feel exhausting for a full day tour. Our guide Quiggs was absolutely amazing, knowledgable, funny, entertaining and very inspiring. Also our driver Dan drove us safely sorting very gently and carefully those narrow winding roads.. together they make a great team and I highly recommend this tour if you want to see & learn about nature, culture, history, folk and music. Bravo!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eve_m
Aug 29, 2024
Great day trip! - Had a lot of fun traveling Ireland and seeing all its beauty! The driver and guide were very helpful!
Review provided by Viator
Telesforo_u
Aug 28, 2024
Nice bus and good trip - I liked the dog demonstration and Wicklow. There is nothing much to do in Glendalough and Kilkenny. What I really liked is that your buses have a toilet for emergencies. Paddy wagon tours do not have one and they don’t schedule bathroom breaks. This is discriminates against seniors since we have to go every 1.5 hrs or so. The tour manager was knowledgeable and friendly
Review provided by Viator
Maria33326
Aug 27, 2024
Disappointed with the itinerary time - The our guide was good, but the itinerary was not as good as expected. There was no time to eat lunch. We got to Kilkenny as our last stop and very late, we didn't have enough time eat lunch and tour Kilkenny. Very disappointed about that. We spent too much time in Glendalough and not enough in Kilkenny.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
September 2024
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