Private Glendalough & Kilkenny Day Tour

Private Glendalough & Kilkenny Day Tour

Tour from Dublin

Quote Request

Tours are priced individually according to the route, group size, distances & hours required, date(s) in question, start & end locations, overnight locations (where applicable) and remaining supply at time of booking.

A Short Introduction To Your Journey

A memorable and enjoyable way to get a sense of the beauty and culture of rural Ireland – we are pleased to offer this exclusive, private tour of Kilkenny, Glendalough and the Wicklow countryside.

South of the bustle of our capital Dublin, you'll experience a day filled with 40 shades of green, mountain valleys teeming with Irish wildlife, shimmering lakes, neat villages, Christian ruins and Ireland's most atmospheric medieval town.

Your experience is rounded off with some unique Irish shopping opportunities and delicious casual lunch options.

Given the relative proximity of Wicklow and Kilkenny to Dublin, you will enjoy an early evening return with ample time for rest, refreshments and dinner reservations.

Below is a taste of what you can expect from this private tour – all from the comfort, safety and style of your own private Mercedes- Benz tour vehicle and with the services of one of our professional chauffeur guides.

Guest feedback:

"Loved, loved, loved the tour, Chloe... the medieval area of Kilkenny is very cool and the round of Smithwick's at Cleere's was just what the doctor ordered..." - NL, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, England

  • Beautiful mountains, lakes, wildlife and ruins of Glendalough.
  • Drive through the 40 Shades of Green of the Irish countryside
  • Leisure time in Ireland's medieval capital, Kilkenny
  • Delicious local casual lunch options
  • Sample a pint of Smithwick's Ale in a traditional pub
  • Your own private experience, making memories with loved ones
  • Dublin-based expert advice
  • Collection from your hotel
  • Private Chauffeur Guide
  • Private Mercedes-Benz Tour Vehicle
  • Private 4G Wifi Connection in Tour Vehicle
  • Entrance fees (as specified at time of booking)
  • Fuel, Road Tolls and Associated Taxes
  • Dropoff at your hotel
  • Driver's Gratuity
  • Food, Drink or Refreshments
  • Depart Dublin (09:00 start is recommended)

    Your private chauffeur guide will collect you from your Dublin hotel this morning. The recommended 09:00 start allows ample time for a leisurely breakfast and for rush hour city traffic to subside. Enjoy a roughly 45-minute drive through Dublin’s leafy suburbs into Co. Wicklow and to our first stop at beautiful Glendalough.

  • Glendalough

    Arriving at Glendalough – your soul will be calmed by the fresh mountain air and beautiful views that surround you. The anglicised name comes from Glen da Locha, Irish Gaelic for the "valley of two lakes". Glendalough is an ancient monastery ruins, founded by St. Kevin in the early 6th Century.

    You’ll have approximately 90 minutes at leisure to explore the early Christian crosses and round tower which lie in ruins. Stroll by the lake's edge with the water gently lapping and look out for the local wildlife including the native red deer and red squirrel. Some of our guests who lead busy, urban lives have come away from the valley in tears, moved by its beauty and solitude.

  • Wicklow Mountains

    Leaving Glendalough behind us, we’ll enjoy a relaxing drive through the Wicklow countryside – which may be familiar to fans of Hollywood hits ‘Braveheart’ and ‘P.S. I Love You’. Further on, as we enter Co. Carlow – perhaps stop to admire the Brownshill Dolmen ruins which date back over 6,000 years. This ancient tomb is believed to weigh more than 100 tonnes, making it the heaviest in Europe.

  • Kilkenny city

    Arriving into Kilkenny, your driver will likely drop you beside the castle in the very heart of the old town. Enjoy a stroll along the ancient streets of this city, which was established by the Normans following their invasion of Ireland in 1169 AD.

    You will have approximately two and a half hours at leisure to explore the highlights, which include Kilkenny castle, the Black Abbey and St. Canice’s Cathedral. Of course, no visit to Kilkenny would be complete without a visit to the Smithwick’s brewery or one of the traditional pubs to raise a glass of the much-loved red ale, brewed locally since 1710.

  • Return to Dublin

    We’ll depart Kilkenny taking the scenic route back towards Dublin city. Driving through the luxurious pastures – you are right in the heart of the Golden Vale farming region which comprises counties Cork, Tipperary and Kilkenny.

    Some of the most fertile agricultural plains in all of Europe, the surrounding landscapes change with the seasons. Icy blue skies contrasting with vast brown plains in winter, lush green pastures in spring, turning to gold with bales of hay stretching as far as the eye can see in late summer and autumn.

    Keep an eye out for racehorses grazing in patchwork fields either side of the motorway, often nursing foals between May and September.

  • Arrive Dublin

    Your chauffeur will return you to the entrance of your hotel or to a pre- agreed location of your choice in central Dublin. Arriving early evening, you will have plenty of time to freshen up and look forward to apéritifs and dining arrangements in the Irish capital.

    Hours of 09:00 - 18:00 (or consecutive equivalent) are required for this tour.

    Kennedy & Carr recommend:

    Perhaps check out Shanahan's  (119 Saint Stephen's Green, Dublin 2) for apéritifs and dinner. This Irish American steakhouse, a stone's throw from The Merrion, The Shelbourne and The Westbury occupies a Georgian townhouse overlooking the Green. The Oval Office bar features memorabilia commemorating each US President of Irish heritage, with JFK's Air Force One rocking chair taking pride of place above the bar. Grass- fed Irish beef and harbour fresh seafood with all the classic trimmings. Excellent cocktails, a fine wine list and Irish whiskey to round off the evening. Sláinte!

Private Tours typically range from EUR 695.00 – EUR 1,895.00+ per vehicle per day including a driver- guide (& his overnight expenses), fuel, road tolls and associated taxes. Guest accommodation & entrance fees are not included in the above guideline to facilitate guest flexibility.

Tours are priced individually according to the route, group size, distances & hours required, date(s) in question, start & end locations, overnight locations (where applicable) and remaining supply at time of booking.
Update: 9th October 2024

Ireland is currently at full employment. Many drivers exited the hospitality industry during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (as hospitality was shut for two years) and there is currently a relative shortage of the very best talent.

With pandemic restrictions now in the rear view mirror, and with the United States Dollar at its strongest level vs the Euro in 20 years, we are currently experiencing a sharp increase in demand from our principal markets in the US, UK, EU and Arabian Gulf. As our availability sells out for the period ahead, rates will rise as demand outstrips remaining supply.

Accordingly, we encourage guests to secure preferred dates for the coming season as early as possible.

October 2024 (Shoulder Season)
Fair availability for most dates. Rates quoted now will rise by approximately 15% as demand meets supply approaching departure. Rates can be fixed by deposit.

November 2024 (Low Season)
Thanksgiving week starting to fill. Rates quoted now will rise by approximately 20% as the fleet sells out. Rates can be fixed by deposit.

December 2024 (Shoulder Season)
25th December extremely limited availability. Traditionally there is a pronounced shortage of suitable drivers between 23rd December and 4th January. Rates quoted now will rise by approximately 25% as the fleet sells out. Rates can be fixed by deposit.

January 2025 (Low Season)
Good availability for all dates. Reservation at least 72 hours before travel recommended to guarantee service. Rates quoted now will rise by approximately 25% as the fleet sells out. Rates can be fixed by deposit.

February 2025 (Low Season)
Good availability for all dates. Advance booking required for weekends during Six Nations Rugby Championship. Reservation at least 72 hours before travel recommended to guarantee service. Rates quoted now will rise by approximately 25% as the fleet sells out. Rates can be fixed by deposit.

March 2025 (Peak Season)
Fair availability for most dates. Advance booking required for weekends during Six Nations Rugby Championship and St. Patrick's Week 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th. Early bird rates can be secured by deposit. We are now starting to see multiple quotation requests for St. Patrick's Festival. Rates quoted now will rise by approximately 25-30% as the fleet sells out. Rates can be fixed by deposit.

April 2025 (Shoulder Season)
Rates quoted now will rise by approximately 25% as demand surpasses supply approaching departure. Rates can be fixed by deposit.

May 2025 (Peak Season)
Rates quoted now will rise by approximately 25% as demand surpasses supply approaching departure. Rates can be fixed by deposit.

June 2025 (Peak Season)
Rates quoted now will rise by approximately 30% as demand surpasses supply approaching departure. Rates can be fixed by deposit.

July 2025 (High- Peak Season)
Rates quoted now will rise by approximately 30% as demand surpasses supply approaching departure. Rates can be fixed by deposit.

August 2025 (High- Peak Season)
Rates quoted now will rise by approximately 30% as demand surpasses supply approaching departure. Rates can be fixed by deposit.

Ticket

You will receive your ticket (featuring your booking number) via email immediately at time of booking. There is no need to print the ticket. If you wish, you can simply show it on your phone or tablet.