Kilkenny, Wicklow & Glendalough: Sheepdog Trials from Dublin

A Working Sheep Farm & 1,400 Years of Irish History in One Day

You'll depart Dublin early, spend a guided morning in medieval Kilkenny with free time to explore, drive through the Wicklow Mountains with a photo stop at 475 metres, walk around the 6th-century monastic ruins at Glendalough, and watch working sheepdogs move a flock on a traditional farm. Lunch and refreshments are on you, but the coach includes WiFi, restroom stops, and a dedicated guide throughout. You're back in central Dublin by early evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Wicklow Mountainspassing by
2. Glendalough2h 15m · entry included

Kilkenny, Wicklow, Glendalough tour

• Depart Dublin early morning
• Guided walking tour in Kilkenny
• Free time to explore Kilkenny
• Drive through Wicklow Mountains
• Photo stop at Wicklow Gap
• Visit Glendalough monastic site
• Optional guided walk at Glendalough
• Free time at Glendalough
• Sheepdog trial at traditional farm
• Return to Dublin in evening

The experience

There's something about watching a sheepdog respond to a whistle from across a hillside that makes you stop checking your phone. The farm visit in Laragh sits roughly halfway through this full-day tour from Dublin, and it's the moment most people say they'll remember, not because it's staged, but because it's real. You're standing in the Wicklow countryside watching trained dogs move a flock with barely a sound, and your guide is telling you how shepherds have done this for generations. It's the kind of thing you can't quite capture in a photo, which is probably why you try anyway.

The day starts early. You'll meet between 8:10 and 8:30 AM at one of three central Dublin locations, then travel by luxury coach through County Kildare toward Kilkenny. You arrive around 10:00 AM for a guided walking tour of the medieval city, where your guide points out the narrow streets, the castle grounds, and the spots locals actually eat. After that, the time is yours. You can wander into Kilkenny Castle's parklands, browse the artisan shops, or grab lunch at a café your guide recommended. At 12:30 PM, you leave for the Wicklow Mountains. The drive itself is the kind of slow, green scenery that makes you understand why people call this region the "Garden of Ireland." If the weather holds, you stop at Wicklow Gap, a mountain pass at 475 metres with views that stretch across the rugged landscape: the same scenery used in Braveheart and Vikings.

Glendalough arrives around 2:15 PM, and you have just over two hours to explore a 6th-century monastic settlement set between two lakes. Your guide offers an optional walking tour through the ruins, the ancient graveyard, and the 30-metre round tower that once served as a bell tower and refuge. After that, you're free to walk to the lakes, sit quietly, or grab tea at the visitor facilities. The sheep farm stop happens on the way back: 30 minutes watching the dogs work, maybe holding a lamb if it's spring, talking to the farmer about what the work actually involves. It's the kind of detail that makes the whole day feel less like a checklist and more like something you stumbled into.

The coach returns to Dublin by 6:15 PM, dropping you on Westmoreland Street (summer) or D'Olier Street (winter), both within walking distance of Temple Bar and O'Connell Street. You've covered roughly 100 kilometres, seen three distinct landscapes, and watched something most tourists miss entirely. The winding mountain roads mean this isn't ideal if you get motion sickness easily (front-row seats are reserved for mobility needs), but if you're comfortable with that, it's a solid way to see rural Ireland without renting a car or figuring out the train schedule yourself.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel or central Dublin pickup between 8:10 and 8:30 AM, guided walking tours in Kilkenny City and at Glendalough's monastic site, a scenic photo stop at Wicklow Gap (weather permitting), a 30-minute visit to a working sheep farm with a live sheepdog trial demonstration, WiFi on board, regular restroom and comfort stops, an air-conditioned luxury coach with a dedicated guide and professional driver, parking fees, and secure luggage storage. Glendalough entry is included.
• lunch is not, though you have free time in Kilkenny and light refreshments are available at Glendalough's visitor facilities. Return to central Dublin by approximately 6:15 PM.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:10

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 63

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Wild Rover Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see rural Ireland, medieval history, and mountain scenery without driving yourself or piecing together train connections: the fixed schedule and guided stops handle the logistics, which is what makes fitting all three regions into one day possible.

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Top questions

What time does the tour leave Dublin?

Departure is between 8:10 and 8:30 AM from one of three central meeting points. You choose your preferred location when booking.

Is lunch included?

No. You have free time in Kilkenny around 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM to buy lunch or brunch. Light refreshments are also available at Glendalough's visitor facilities.

Can I visit inside Kilkenny Castle?

Entry to the castle interior is not included, but you have free access to the parklands and gardens. You can purchase castle entry separately if you wish.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour runs in most weather. The photo stop at Wicklow Gap is weather permitting, so it may be skipped if visibility is poor. The sheepdog trial and other stops proceed as scheduled.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes, for children over 2 years old. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller. Some locations have uneven natural surfaces, so sturdy strollers are recommended.

How long is the coach journey?

The full day is roughly 10 hours from pickup to drop-off. The coach covers approximately 100 kilometres with guided stops and free time built in.

Are there restroom stops?

Yes. Regular comfort and restroom stops are included throughout the day.

What's included in the price?

Guided walks in Kilkenny and Glendalough, the sheepdog trial, scenic photo stop, WiFi on board, air-conditioned coach, parking fees, and luggage storage. Entry fees to Glendalough are included. Kilkenny Castle interior is not.

Is this tour good for people with motion sickness?

The route includes winding mountain roads. If you experience motion sickness, front-row seating may help, but you'll need to request it in advance for mobility reasons. This tour may not be suitable for severe motion sickness.

What time does the tour return to Dublin?

Typically around 6:15 PM, depending on traffic and weather. Drop-off is on Westmoreland Street (summer) or D'Olier Street (winter), both near Temple Bar.