Two full-day coach trips, listed online on WizardTrip, lead from Dublin to Glendalough, the Wicklow Mountains and Kilkenny. They have 8,795 and 6,835 reviews, with a rating of 4.9 out of 5 each (as of 18 October 2026).
The two routes are close, but the time on site differs. One lasts 10 hours and adds a sheep farm with a sheepdog demonstration. The other lasts 9 hours 15 minutes and leaves 3 hours in Kilkenny. This article compares the stops, schedules, starting points and cancellation conditions.
Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny: what you need to know
Both trips leave Dublin in the morning and make the same three stops: Kilkenny, the Wicklow Gap and Glendalough. Each coach has Wi-Fi and a separate guide and driver. The guide speaks English: neither listing offers a French-speaking guide.
Glendalough is an early medieval monastic site, founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin. According to the 10-hour trip listing, its round tower is 30 meters tall. The Wicklow Gap is 475 meters above sea level. The same listing says these landscapes appear in Braveheart, P.S. I Love You and the series Vikings.
The 9-hour 15-minute trip listing presents Kilkenny as the medieval capital of Ireland. The castle park and gardens are free, but the interior costs extra on both trips.
The 10-hour trip: Kilkenny, Wicklow, Glendalough and a sheep farm
The 10-hour trip takes 63 people at most. Three meeting points are offered, to be chosen when booking. The first, at 8:10 am, is in front of the Riu Plaza The Gresham hotel, on Upper O’Connell Street. The second, at 8:20 am, is at the College Green bus stop. The third, at 8:30 am, is in front of the Leonardo Hotel Dublin Christchurch. Look for a gray coach with a silver dog logo. It leaves on time without waiting for latecomers, and the listing asks you to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
In the usual order of the day, the coach passes the Curragh racecourse without stopping. It reaches Kilkenny around 10 am for 2 hours 30 minutes, with a short guided walk and then free time. It leaves at 12:30 pm through the Wicklow Mountains. The gap, at 475 meters, gets a 10-minute photo stop if the weather allows. Glendalough follows around 2:15 pm, for about 2 hours 15 minutes, including an optional guided visit.
The last stop is a sheep farm at Laragh, for 30 minutes, admission included. Shepherds give a demonstration of sheepdogs guided by whistle. The listing also mentions meeting the farmer and, depending on the season, lambs. Leanna writes in October 2026: “The farm tries to have lambs all year round for tourism.”
The return to Dublin is planned around 6:15 pm, on Westmoreland Street in summer and on D’Olier Street in winter. Both points are a few steps from O’Connell Street and Temple Bar. The listing states that the schedule varies with the weather and traffic.
Included: admission to Glendalough and the farm, Wi-Fi, parking and secure luggage storage. Not included: meals, drinks, tips, hotel pickup and the interior of Kilkenny Castle. The coach has no restroom, but regular breaks are planned.
The 9-hour 15-minute trip: Glendalough first, then 3 hours in Kilkenny
The 9-hour 15-minute trip leaves at exactly 8:45 am from a Collins coach parked at the designated meeting point. The listing also mentions a meeting at 8:30 am and asks you to arrive at least 10 minutes before departure. It does not give the address of the meeting point in its texts: check it on the listing before booking. The group has 59 people at most.
The program starts with Glendalough, with 1 hour of guided visit of the monastic site, admission included. Then comes 1 hour of free time in the valley, in the heart of the national park. A 15-minute photo stop follows at the Wicklow Gap.
Kilkenny then takes 3 hours. The listing provides free time for lunch on arrival, a walking tour of about 45 minutes and time for visits of your own. The return to Dublin is planned around 6 pm.
The coach offers free Wi-Fi and USB ports, and the guide gives live commentary along the way. Food and hot drinks are not allowed on board. Meals, drinks, tips and castle admission are not included.
This trip shows 4.9 out of 5. Brit, who gives three stars, writes in September 2026: “we did not have enough time at either place.” The review refers to the monastery and Kilkenny.
The two trips compared
| 10-hour trip | 9-hour 15-minute trip | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10 hours | 9 hours 15 minutes |
| Departure from Dublin | 8:10, 8:20 or 8:30 am, depending on the meeting point | 8:45 am, Collins coach |
| Return to Dublin | Around 6:15 pm | Around 6 pm |
| Time in Kilkenny | 2 hours 30 minutes | 3 hours |
| Time at Glendalough | About 2 hours 15 minutes | 1 hour guided visit, then 1 hour free in the valley |
| Sheep farm | 30 minutes, admission included | Not in the program |
| Maximum group size | 63 people | 59 people |
| Guide language | English | English |
| Cancellation by the operator | Not mentioned | Bad weather or too few participants |
| Price | From €43 | From €45 |
Sunday, winter, bad weather: does the itinerary change?
For the 10-hour trip, the listing reverses the order on Sundays and from November to February. Glendalough, the Wicklow Mountains and the sheepdog demonstration come first. Kilkenny follows in the afternoon, with an arrival announced around 2:15 pm. In winter, the drop-off point is D’Olier Street.
According to the 10-hour trip listing, the stop at the Wicklow Gap depends on the weather. A one-star review from September 2026 regrets that this stop did not take place.
The 9-hour 15-minute trip may be canceled by the operator in bad weather or with too few participants. The listing states that you would be informed. The 10-hour trip listing does not mention a cancellation of this kind.
Children, mobility, motion sickness: what do the listings say?
The 10-hour trip is the most detailed. Children aged 2 and under are not allowed. Another section of the listing nevertheless mentions strollers and prams for infants: check this point before booking. It also notes uneven ground in places and advises sturdy strollers. Service animals are accepted.
Mountain roads are winding. The listing states the trip may not suit travelers prone to motion sickness. Front seats are reserved for customers with reduced mobility or disabilities, to be reported in advance. They cannot be assigned for motion sickness. The listing does not recommend the trip in case of spinal injury.
The 9-hour 15-minute trip listing only says it suits all fitness levels. It specifies neither an age limit nor wheelchair access.
Which one should you choose?
- You want to see a sheep farm and a sheepdog demonstration: the 10-hour trip.
- You want to choose between three starting points in central Dublin: the 10-hour trip.
- You want the most time in Kilkenny for lunch and sightseeing: the 9-hour 15-minute trip, with 3 hours on site.
- You prefer a shorter day, leaving at 8:45 am and returning around 6 pm: the 9-hour 15-minute trip.
The city’s other activities are gathered on the Things to do in Dublin page, and the country’s on the Ireland page.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the day trip from Dublin to Glendalough and Kilkenny?
One of the two trips lasts 10 hours, with a return to Dublin around 6:15 pm. The other lasts 9 hours 15 minutes, with a departure at 8:45 am and a return around 6 pm. In both cases, the guide speaks English.
Does the guide speak French on the Glendalough and Kilkenny trip?
No. Both listings state an English-only guide, with no French-speaking option. The guided walking tours of Glendalough and Kilkenny are therefore given in English on both trips.
Is admission to Kilkenny Castle included in the trip?
No. Both listings state that admission to the castle interior is not included. The castle park and gardens are free, and admission to the Glendalough monastic site is included on both trips.
Are meals included in the trip from Dublin to Wicklow and Kilkenny?
No, neither meals nor drinks are included on either trip. The 9-hour 15-minute one leaves free time for lunch in Kilkenny. On the 10-hour one, the guide recommends places for brunch or lunch.
Can you cancel the trip from Dublin to Glendalough and Kilkenny?
Yes, with a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, for both trips. The 9-hour 15-minute trip may also be canceled by the operator in bad weather or with too few participants.
Where do you meet to leave for Glendalough and Kilkenny from Dublin?
For the 10-hour trip, three points to choose from: the Riu Plaza The Gresham hotel at 8:10 am, the College Green stop at 8:20 am and the Leonardo Hotel Dublin Christchurch at 8:30 am. The 9-hour 15-minute trip leaves at 8:45 am from a Collins coach parked at the meeting point.
Activities mentioned in this guide
All activities in Dublin, with their prices and reviews: Things to do in Dublin
