Waterford Crystal & Kilkenny City Tour from Dublin

Watch crystal artisans shape molten glass, then walk a medieval city built eight centuries ago.

A full-day guided tour from Dublin takes you to Waterford's House of Crystal to watch craftspeople work at a 1400-degree furnace, then to Kilkenny for a private walking tour of the medieval city's castle, laneways and oldest brewery. The tour includes transport in an air-conditioned minivan, bottled water and all taxes; children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Waterford and Kilkenny city tour

• Depart Dublin in luxury vehicle
• Panoramic tour of Waterford
• Visit House of Waterford Crystal
• Watch crystal blowing demonstration
• Enjoy light lunch in Waterford
• Travel to Kilkenny
• Private walking tour of Kilkenny

The Experience

Waterford is the first stop after leaving Dublin in a luxury minivan. The House of Waterford Crystal is where the tour centers: you'll stand in the blowing room itself, watching artisans transform glowing balls of molten crystal into finished pieces using techniques refined over two hundred years. The heat and noise of the 1400-degree furnace are part of the experience — the atmosphere is what makes the skill visible. After the factory tour, you have time for a light lunch in a Waterford café or to browse the onsite retail store, which spans 12,000 square feet.

Kilkenny comes next, reached by minivan from Waterford. Your guide leads a private walking tour through the medieval heart of the city, starting at Kilkenny Castle, which sits on a strategic height above the River Nore and has been altered and expanded over eight centuries into a complex of different architectural styles. The tour takes in the 13th-century fortifications, historic laneways, and medieval townhouses. You'll pass Smithwick's, Ireland's oldest brewery, and Kytelers Inn, where Ireland's only witch burning took place in 1324.

The full day runs nine hours from Dublin departure to return. Transport, bottled water and all taxes are included; the minivan is air-conditioned and suitable for all fitness levels. Children from age 4 can join when accompanied by an adult. Food and drinks beyond the included water, as well as gratuities, are not part of the tour price.

What’s included

• Transport in an air-conditioned minivan.
• bottled water.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• a private walking tour of Kilkenny's medieval center.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by IRISH LUXURY DAY TOURS

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a driver who guides you through Waterford's Viking history and crystal factory, then walks you through Kilkenny's medieval streets—all in one nine-hour loop from Dublin with no route-planning between stops.

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Top questions

What exactly do I see at the House of Waterford Crystal?

The House of Waterford Crystal lets you watch artisans at work in the blowing room, where they shape red-hot molten crystal at a 1400-degree furnace into finished pieces using hand techniques that have been perfected over two hundred years. You stand close enough to feel the heat and hear the activity, then have time to shop the 12,000-square-foot retail store or grab lunch in a café.

Does the tour include hotel pickup in Dublin?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dublin are not included; you meet your driver and guide at a departure point and return there at the end of the day. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need to reach the meeting location.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 4 when accompanied by an adult. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the minivan is air-conditioned for comfort during the drive between Dublin, Waterford and Kilkenny.