geocalia
The courtyard of Kilkenny CastleWarren LeMay from Chicago, IL, United States · CC0

What to do · Kilkenny

Day trip from Dublin to Kilkenny and Glendalough

Day trip · 10 h · adult €43 · two and a half hours in Kilkenny, the Wicklow Gap, Glendalough and sheepdogs

InformationFrom €43 adult
From
€43 adult
Duration
10 h
Season
All year, daily departures
Who it's for
All ages who can manage a day on a coach

If you have only one day and do not want to drive on the left, Wild Rover Tours combines the two classic trips south of Dublin: two and a half hours in Kilkenny, the crossing of the mountains by the Wicklow Gap, time at the Glendalough monastery and a sheepdog demonstration on a farm in Laragh. It leaves at 8:10 from O'Connell Street and returns at 18:15, for €43.

In Kilkenny there is time for the castle or for the Medieval Mile, but not for both at a relaxed pace. If the city interests you, it is better to take the train and spend a whole day.

As a familyWith teenagers

Who runs it

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The stone interior of Kyteler's Inn© Kyteler's InnInn from 1324 with music every night in season

Kyteler's Inn

Bar · Kilkenny · €€€€

What to order: the Kilkenny pork sausage with Guinness and leek, from the local butcher, or the Irish stew.

In high season, music at 20:00 from Monday to Thursday and at 18:30 and 22:00 from Friday to Sunday
The dining room of Ristorante Rinuccini© RinucciniItalian cooking opposite the castle

Ristorante Rinuccini

Restaurant · Kilkenny · €€€€

What to order: the early evening menu, between 17:00 and 18:00.

Open every day; bookings on its website

To stay nearby

The Kilkenny River Court beside the River Nore© Kilkenny River Court HotelHotel

Kilkenny River Court Hotel

Four stars · beside the river · castle views · free parking

Why we like it: Four-star hotel at John Street bridge, over the Nore, with castle-view rooms, family rooms and free parking.

A suite at the Pembroke hotel© Pembroke KilkennyHotel

Pembroke Kilkenny

Four stars · next to the castle · bar and restaurant

Why we like it: Four-star hotel on Patrick Street, two minutes from the castle, with 84 rooms and suites and the Stathams bar-restaurant.

Butler House and its garden, in Kilkenny© Butler HouseSmall hotel

Butler House

Georgian house · garden with a gate to the castle courtyard · family room · dog room

Dogs welcome

Why we like it: Georgian house on Patrick Street with a walled garden and its own gate to the castle courtyard, with rooms of various sizes, a family room and one that accepts dogs.