15 Kilkenny Day Trips from Dublin Worth the Morning

1.Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough Day Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7,897 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $48Our pick

Travel from Dublin with Wild Rover Tours to medieval Kilkenny, a Wicklow sheep farm, Wicklow Gap, and Glendalough. Guides such as Ian, Kevin, David, and Maurice are praised for lively storytelling, while the sheepdog demonstration and baby lambs are seasonal highlights.

“Amazing way to explore Ireland. Great experience. David was an amazing tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and talented. Appreciated the music.”

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2.Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6,235 reviews · from $45

Travel by comfortable coach from central Dublin to Glendalough, the Wicklow Gap, and Kilkenny. Expect Irish history, folklore, songs, and humor from guides such as Pat, Mike, and Phil, plus free time for a 2.5-kilometer lake walk, lunch, photos, and castle views.

“Peter the guide and Mike the driver were friendly and extremely knowledgeable. The day ran smoothly. Saw some truly beautiful sites and the chance to stop and explore the monastery and the glendalough lakes were amazing with plenty time . Could have had more time to explore Kilkenny.”

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3.Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,895 reviews · 9 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Leave central Dublin at 8:45 am for Glendalough’s monastery and lakes, the Wicklow Gap, and a guided walk through Kilkenny. Guides such as Pat, Teresa, Philip, and Jerry are praised for lively storytelling. Expect about 9 hours, walking, free time, and a coach ride with Wi-Fi and USB charging.

“Amazing tour with Shamus our bus driver and Theresa. Both were so kind and provided wonderful information about each location. The bus was brand new so equipped with chargers and WiFi. Our stops were perfectly timed for a lovely hike in Glendalough and a trip through the castle in Kilkenny, lunch and a bit of shopping.”

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4.Kilkenny, Wicklow & Glendalough Tour & Sheepdog Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,599 reviews · from $34Best value

Travel from Dublin with an English-speaking guide such as Gina, Godfrey, or Harry to Glendalough, the Wicklow Mountains, a sheepdog farm, and Kilkenny. Expect a long but varied day, with ancient ruins, mountain scenery, a live herding show, and free time in the medieval city.

“Great, A better first bathroom break, the garage wasn’t great”

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5.Glendalough, Wicklow, Kilkenny and Sheepdog demonstration

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,215 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $45

Leave Dublin at 8:00 a.m. for Glendalough, Wicklow Gap, a lively sheepdog demonstration at Ballybought, and two hours in Kilkenny. Guides such as Carol, Oli, and Gina are known for clear stories, humor, and helpful tips. Expect an air-conditioned coach, plenty of walking, and no included meals.

“An informative and entertaining day trip. Our guide, Oli, and driver, Nosha, were great! Oli shared some Irish history as well as songs and stories that kept our attention throughout. The day was a good mix of seeing the beautiful countryside, a sheepherding demonstration, and a visit to the lively city of Kilkenny. Mosha navigated some very narrow and winding roads very proficiently. I highly recommend this trip with Oli and Nosha!”

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6.Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, & Kilkenny Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,710 reviews · from $51

Spend 10 hours with a live English-speaking guide and separate driver visiting medieval Kilkenny, Glendalough’s 7th-century monastery, Wicklow’s mountain valleys, and a working sheep farm with Irish collies and lambs. Guides such as Ian, Liam, Caroline, and Kevin are known for lively stories, music, and humor.

“Our tour was well organized and punctual. Ian and Dermott were outstanding. Friendly and informative, they made the day a blast for all of us. You never know exactly what to expect with any tour but looking back, we are thrilled with our decision to do this tour and highly recommend it.”

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7.Dublin to Kilkenny Castle and House Of Waterford Crystal Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 177 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $195

Travel by reserved train from Dublin to Kilkenny and Waterford for a full day of Irish sights. Explore Kilkenny on foot, choose between castle time and local stops, then watch Waterford Crystal craftsmen blow and cut glass. Guide Paddy McArdle is often assigned to the tour.

“Paddy was great and so were the stops. A couple of observations. First, there should be an indication that the trip will take over 10,000 steps at a leisurely pace. Some of our group were unaware and it was a struggle. Second, while the Irish countryside is lovely, there was a direct train from Waterford to Dublin that could easily have been handled. We instead took a 4 hour connection train ride back to Dublin. It's a long day and it could have been handled better in terms of time. Don't get me wrong, the tour is sensational but just some observations.”

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8.Glendalough Day Tour from Dublin: Including Kilkenny City

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 164 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $48

Spend about nine hours with Paddywagon Tours visiting Glendalough’s monastic ruins and lakes, crossing the Wicklow Gap, then exploring Kilkenny. Expect a large air-conditioned coach, live commentary, independent time at both stops, and guides such as Alex, Peter, or Richard, depending on the departure.

“It was a waste of time and money. In overall it is really poorly organised. This is a clear example of a tourist trap. The car arrived 30min late in the morning, there was no tour guide, only a kind driver who had very little experience of this itinerary and was not able to provide us with any insights. The two visits Glendalough and Kilkenny are far too short (no time to do main trekking to get to the upper lake) and arriving to Killkeny there is not even enough time to do the visit of the castle) Thus better to take public transport than spend so much money for…”

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9.Luxury Tour Of Waterford Crystal & Kilkenny City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $225

Leave Dublin at 8:00 am for Waterford Crystal’s hot, noisy blowing room, then join a guided walk through Kilkenny’s medieval lanes, castle district, and cathedral area. Driver-guides such as Mick, Tony, and Ger are praised for lively commentary. The air-conditioned minivan carries up to 16 people.

“Our tour was fantastic! Mick our driver was so much fun! Very friendly and had lots to share. Really enjoyed Joe our Kilkenny tour guide. He was so enthusiastic and loved to share the tells of his beautiful city. All in all, a wonderful tour and day. Would highly recommend.”

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10.Waterford Crystal and Kilkenny City with Private Chauffeur Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Travel from Dublin by private chauffeur to Waterford Crystal and Kilkenny. Expect hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, free time at the crystal showrooms, Kilkenny Design Centre, Medieval Mile, and castle area. Pat and Willy are named guides connected with the service.

“Pat was an excellent guide. He was informative, friendly, and very professional. We would do it again! It was a wonderful day and adventure.”

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11.Ireland: Blarney Castle, Kilkenny & Irish Whiskey 3-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12 reviews · from $788

Travel from Dublin in a 16-seat Mercedes minicoach with an English-speaking guide. Visit the Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, Cobh, Waterford, Kilkenny and Glendalough, with a Jameson Midleton tour, tasting, two B&B nights and time in Kinsale.

“OMG!!!! What a tour !!!! Our guide NIELL was phenomenal and made this an unforgettable trip and memories of Ireland !!! The itinerary is way more packed than I thought which makes this that much better. The accommodations were phenomenal - really phenomenal value for money for the entire tour !!! I LOVED IT!”

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12.Private Day Tour of the Medieval City of Kilkenny

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $429

Travel from Dublin to Kilkenny in a private vehicle with a driver-guide, then shape your day around the castle, Medieval Mile, St. Canice’s Round Tower, Smithwick’s Experience, and local shopping. Admission fees are extra, but your group controls the pace and priorities.

“While we have yet to take our tour, the communication, pricing, assistance and immediate response that was offered during the planning process was outstanding! We look forward to touring with this company!”

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13.3-Day Blarney Castle, Kilkenny & Irish Whiskey Tour Inc Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 8 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $971

Travel from Dublin in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a driver-guide, visiting the Rock of Cashel, Jameson Distillery, Blarney, Kinsale, Cobh, Waterford, Kilkenny and Glendalough. Two nights with breakfast are included, while several attraction admissions and meals cost extra.

“Three days packed with information, beautiful vistas, and fun. Smaller bus was good for the tight bog roads. Stephanie the Guide was knowledgeable, personable as well as an excellent driver.”

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14.Dublin To Kilkenny Castle Waterford Crystal Private Car – Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $630

Travel from Dublin with a private chauffeur guide in a Mercedes E or S Class to Waterford Crystal and Kilkenny Castle. See glass blowing, cutting, and polishing, enjoy time for lunch in Kilkenny, and return door to door. Guides such as Zac and Taufeeq tailor the day to your interests.

“Taufeeq was great. Professional in every way: great safe and responsible driver, pleasant and informative conversation, and prompt. I recommend the trip and service highly.”

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15.Waterford Crystal and Kilkenny Full-Day Rail Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $463

Leave Dublin Heuston at 7:25 a.m. with a private guide, explore Kilkenny Castle and the Medieval Mile, then tour the House of Waterford Crystal. Return by rail at 8 p.m. Reserved seats are requested by preference, but depend on availability.

“I was disappointed that we were not able to take the train. But we had a local driver who made the tour flexible and fun. Kilkenny Castle was the best castle experience we had in Ireland. And the Waterford Crystal Tour was amazing. We bought crystal that they shipped home at no expense for us.”

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