Dublin to Kilkenny Castle & Waterford Crystal: Private Day Tour
See Kilkenny Castle and watch glassblowers shape Waterford Crystal in a single day from Dublin.
A private 8-hour day tour from Dublin visits Kilkenny Castle, Saint Canice's Cathedral, and the Waterford Crystal factory with a guided tour of the glassmaking process. Hotel pickup in Dublin is included, as are all attraction tickets, bottled water, and a lunch stop at a local restaurant. The vehicle is air-conditioned and fully licensed. Your driver speaks English and the tour suits all fitness levels.
Step-by-step itinerary
Dublin to Kilkenny and Waterford tour
- Hotel pick-up in Dublin
- Visit Kilkenny Castle
- Tour Saint Canice's Cathedral
- Lunch at local eatery
- Exclusive Waterford Crystal factory tour
- Return to Dublin
What’s included
- Private transportation in an air-conditioned, licensed vehicle.
- hotel pickup and drop-off in Dublin.
- entry tickets to Kilkenny Castle, Saint Canice's Cathedral, and Waterford Crystal.
- a guided factory tour at Waterford Crystal.
- bottled water during the drive.
- and a lunch stop at a local restaurant (meal cost is separate).
Times
- Every day 08:00 08:30 09:00
Before you book
Operated by Za Execs
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts with pickup from your Dublin hotel and a drive south to Kilkenny, where you'll explore the castle's rooms and grounds at your own pace before moving to Saint Canice's Cathedral nearby. From there, the route continues to Waterford, where the main event is a guided factory tour of Waterford Crystal. You'll watch artisans cut and shape the glassware that carries the brand's name worldwide, then walk through the showroom. A lunch break at a local spot breaks up the 8.5 hours of travel and sightseeing.
All entry fees are paid upfront and included in the price, so there's no stopping at ticket windows. The driver handles navigation and timing, which matters because the day has to hold together across three separate towns. Bottled water comes with you in the air-conditioned car, and the route itself is the kind of loop that works only with private transport. A shared minibus would add hours waiting for other pickups.
Is this one for you?Book this if you're visiting from Dublin and want a full day covering three major sites in Kilkenny and Waterford with a private driver. You'll see the castle, cathedral, and crystal factory without managing separate logistics or timing between locations.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is Kilkenny Castle like when I get there?
Kilkenny Castle is a Norman fortress with rooms open to visitors and grounds you can walk through. The tour gives you time to explore both at your own pace rather than following a guide through every room.
Do I get to see how Waterford Crystal is actually made?
Yes, the factory tour is guided, so you'll watch artisans at work cutting and shaping the glass before you see the finished pieces in the showroom.
What time does the tour pick me up from my Dublin hotel?
Pickup time depends on your hotel location. Email the operator with your hotel details when you book, and they'll confirm the exact time to meet your driver.
Is lunch included in the price?
A lunch stop at a local restaurant is built into the itinerary, though the meal itself is not included. You'll order and pay for your own food there.
How long is the drive from Dublin to Kilkenny?
The full tour runs 8.5 hours from pickup to drop-off, covering the drive to Kilkenny, time at the castle and cathedral, the drive to Waterford, the factory tour, and the return to Dublin.
Can children come on this tour?
Children aged 12 and up are welcome. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though the day involves walking through the castle, cathedral, and factory spaces.
Dublin to Kilkenny Castle & Waterford Crystal: Private Day Tour
8h 30m · EN · at your hotel
from € 618.14 per person
≈ US$ 710 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.