Things to do in County Wicklow

Embark on a guided day trip through the lush pastures of Ireland from Dublin. Tour the vast Wicklow Mountains and see the monastery of Glendalough. Lose yourself in the medieval lanes of Kilkenny. Depart from Dublin and set off on a luxury bus to Glendalough. As you journey out of the city, your guide will fill you in on many interesting facts and fun stories about Dublin. Arrive at Glendalough, considered one of the most beautiful corners of Ireland. Enjoy an optional guided tour of the monastic settlement and some free time to explore the area or relax at a local café. The more adventurous can opt to take a hike to the Upper Lake and return via a boardwalk (approx. 2.5 km). The route takes you past the Lower Lake through a stunning nature trail that leads deep into the valley and on to the Upper Lake. Continue through the Wicklow Mountains. As you drive, your guide will tell you about its geology and history. Pass through famous movie locations featured in P.S. I Love You and Braveheart. Stop for a 10-minute photo opportunity at the Wicklow Gap before a scenic ride to Kilkenny. Once you reach Kilkenny, have free time to navigate the narrow lanes and historic buildings. Admire its extraordinary castle where you can picnic, or enjoy lunch in the local pubs. Then, join an optional guided tour of the city before making your way back to Dublin.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Dublin and soak up the serenity of the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough on a day trip by bus. See sights such as Sugar Loaf Mountain and Roundwood village. The tour starts mid-afternoon, leaving you time for lunch or a pint of Guinness before the experience begins. After getting picked up from your chosen pickup point in central Dublin, enjoy a brief sightseeing tour of the capital as you travel to Glendalough.  Take in panoramic views of the aptly-named Sugar Loaf mountain and pass through the quaint village of Roundwood on your journey through the Wicklow Mountains. Upon arrival at Glendalough, soak up breathtaking Irish scenery, history, and wildlife at the "Valley of Two Lakes". Enjoy at least 90 minutes of free time to explore the Celtic Christian monastery ruins which were built on the lakeside by Saint Kevin many centuries ago. Discover intricately carved stone Celtic crosses and round towers where monks hid golden chalices and other valuables from the many Viking raids which took place in the region. Stand by the water's edge and scan the oak trees to see if you can spot the endangered native red squirrel at play. As you explore, try to spot the location where the Braveheart wedding scene was filmed and where PS I Love You's Gerard Butler famously bumped into Hilary Swank. Return to Dublin after an amazing afternoon in the fresh air of the Wicklow Mountains with photos and memories of your Irish adventure.

Travel out of Dublin and into the countryside around on a 5-hour morning or afternoon tour to Glendalough and Wicklow. The tour begins with an introduction to Dublin City, as you head south toward County Wicklow, known affectionately as the Garden of Ireland. Sparkling lakes, dense forests, and romantic babbling brooks make this a spectacular scenic drive and a fine day out from the big city. You will also see the scenery made famous by films such as Braveheart and P.S. I Love You. Make your way over the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough, the valley of the 2 lakes. Enjoy a relaxing walk to the Upper Lake and explore the monastic ruins of St. Kevin's monastery. Then enjoy lush surroundings as you make your way through the Sally Gap before returning to Dublin.

Enjoy a combined full-day sightseeing tour of some of Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes, including the 12th-century castle of Kilkenny, the rugged Wicklow Mountains, and the 7th-century monastery of Glendalough. The first stop is Kilkenny Castle (entree fee not included), majestically located on the banks of the River Nore. The craft capital of Ireland, you can visit the Kilkenny Art and Design Centre to get a better appreciation of the craft traditions of goldsmiths, sculptors, painters and more. Stroll around the cobblestone streets, and visit Saint Frances Brewery, Ireland’s oldest. Admire the magnificent silk merchant’s mansion of Rothe House, containing priceless Viking artifacts.And walk in the medieval gardens to see historic varietals of fruit and veg, such as Gortahok cabbage and Blood of Boyne apples. Enjoy lunch in one of the city’s artisan cafés. Walking tour included. En route to Glendalough, drive into the wild Wicklow Mountains of County Carlow. Watch as the landscape changes from lush green pastures and gentle valleys, to the glacial valleys of Wicklow Gap, giving it a cinematic quality that made it a popular location to shoot movies such as “Braveheart” and “PS I Love You.” Continue over the mountains to explore the monastic site of Glendalough (meaning glen of two lakes), where Christianity was re-introduced to Ireland after the Dark Ages. Learn about Saint Kevin, founder of the 7th-century monastery. Follow your guide on a walking tour to see intact architecture, such as St. Kevin’s Kitchen, Church and Round Tower. On the final part of your journey head through the highest village in Ireland, known as Roundwood. Marvel at the Sugarloaf Mountains, which were higher than the Alps before the Ice Age. Pass Powerscourt Estate and the Glen of Imaal en route to Kilnacanogue. Your guide will regale you with stories about Ireland, and be treated to some traditional Irish music on the drive back to Dublin.

Explore the beautiful Wicklow Mountains National Park on a full-day tour from Dublin and enjoy fun outdoor activities such as a guided walk. Hear fascinating stories about the historic region from expert guides. Depending on which option you select, your first stop will be a lovely spot in the mountains, where you can enjoy outdoor activities such as a 1.5-hour guided walk. If you want a less energetic experience, visit Powerscourt Gardens and stroll through the delightful Japanese garden. Continue through the valleys and glens of Wicklow Mountains, stopping at Enniskerry, where the movies "P.S. I Love You" and "Leap Year" were filmed. Drive by the ribbon-shaped Lough Tay, and get spectacular mountain views of Sally's Gap and Guinness Lake, locations for scenes from the blockbuster films Excalibur and Braveheart. End your tour at the tiny 6th-century monastery of Glendalough, and learn about the hermit priest, St. Kevin. Here you will have some time to enjoy a walk or just relax in this beautiful spot, known as "the valley of the two lakes", before returning to Dublin.

Admire the tower of Glendalough, the wild beauty of the Wicklow Mountains, and the medieval city of Kilkenny on a full-day guided tour from Dublin. Depart from Dublin and make your way directly to Kilkenny, a town that was once the medieval capital of Ireland. Enjoy walking down the cobbled streets and visit the Black Abbey and the Cathedral of Saint Canice. After that, travel through the Wicklow Mountains to your next stop. Visit the monastic site of Glendalough. Hollywood Blockbusters like ‘P.S. I Love You’ and ‘Braveheart’ have been filmed here. Explore the area renowned for its ruins, magnificent lakes, and waterfalls. Finally, head over to a sheepdog farm and watch a sheepdog herd with his master. Look at the Border Collies using a tactic called “The Eye” on sheep. Witness a shepherd and his dog at work and watch how they herd a flock of sheep.

Travel through Kildare to historic Kilkenny on this full-day scenic tour from Dublin. Once the medieval capital of Ireland, Kilkenny boasts Ireland’s finest Norman castle, and have the chance to buy a pint of Kilkenny beer in the city where it is produced. Board the comfortable and climate-controlled bus in Dublin and begin your day trip. Relax on the drive to Kilkenny past sparkling lakes, dense forests and babbling brooks.  Arrive in Kilkenny and enjoy free time to shop for traditional Irish crafts like unique knitwear, pottery and glass. Spend your time strolling through quaint streets or popping into a local pub for a delicious Kilkenny beer. Continue to the monastic city of St. Kevin at Glendalough, best known for the wedding scenes in the blockbuster movie “Braveheart” and famous as the location for the film “PS I Love You.” Head to the megalithic portal tomb of Brownshill Dolmen to uncover how ancient Irish ancestors buried their dead and celebrated their passage into the next world. Return to your meeting point in Dublin at the end of your day trip. 

Your day tour to Wicklow departs from Suffolk Street, outside the old stone church, in Dublin. Experience the working side of Wicklow with a visit to a working Irish sheep farm. Meet your friendly local farmer, who will introduce you to farm life, like the diverse farming practices of sheep farming and the commands used to control the sheepdogs. The highlight of this stop is a sheepdog exhibition where the farmer will corral the sheep with their trusty border collies. After a scenic rural drive, stop off in Hollywood also known as 'the original Hollywood.' Then stop for lunch in Laragh (lunch not included). Then head to the beautiful valley and monastic site of Glendalough, where Saint Kevin settled in the 6th century. Here you will have 1.5 hours to discover the area, the visitor center, and St. Kevin's Church. Continue through the scenic Wicklow Gap, journeying along the military road which was built after the 1798 rebellion in an attempt to flush out the rebels hiding in the Wicklow Mountains. Take your picture at the "P.S. I Love You" bridge and see Lough Tay, surrounded by blanket bog and mountain peaks.

Take a trip back in time and experience prison life in Wicklow Gaol as it would have been endured by its 18th century inmates. After being greeted by either the matron or the jailer, step through the Gates of Hell to begin your partially guided tour of this fascinating museum. After descending down a narrow spiral staircase, discover the dark history of the jail from your guide, including the number of prisoners held in Wicklow, the crimes they had committed and the torture methods used on the inmates. Hear fascinating stories of famous prisoners housed at Wicklow, and their executions at the gallows!  As you proceed through the jail, feel a shiver down your spine and ask your guide about accounts of paranormal activities. With the help of videos, holograms and lifelike mannequins, bring to life the inmates' experiences. For you younger inmates, there is a fun quiz to complete as you make your way around the museum, which can be checked at the end of your tour. If you've demonstrated good conduct throughout the tour, the jailer will decide whether you're lucky enough to receive a special release form!

This tour brings you to the best places in the Wicklow mountains. Your Italian guide will brief you about the monastic site of St. Kevin in Glendalough and will walk you to the lakes in the National Park. Visit the award-winning gardens at Powerscourt with their curious pet graveyard, the Japanese garden, the winged horses, the Rapunzel tower, and much much more. After a full day of fresh outdoor exploring, take the chance to enjoy the traditional Irish Stew at the pub Johnnie Fox's, probably the most hidden gem of the Wicklow mountains. Menu: • Starter: Salad or vegetable soup with brown homemade bread • Main: Irish stew or vegetarian lasagne • Dessert: Whiskey cake • Tea or coffee • Vegetarian, vegan and kids options available on request