Kilkenny, Wicklow and Glendalough Sheepdog Trials from Dublin
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover everything that makes Ireland unique on this full-day tour from Dublin, combining breath-taking scenery, rich history and authentic rural experiences. Begin in the medieval city of Kilkenny, where a guided walking tour introduces its historic streets, followed by free time to explore Kilkenny Castle and local shops. Continue into the Wicklow Mountains, the “Garden of Ireland,” with panoramic views and a scenic photo stop at the Wicklow Gap (weather permitting). Visit Glendalough, a stunning 6th-century monastic settlement set beside peaceful lakes, where a second guided walk brings Ireland’s early history to life. A highlight for many guests is the visit to a traditional sheep farm, where you’ll experience an authentic sheepdog trial and see highly trained dogs expertly guide their flock. Travelling from and back to Dublin by luxury coach with a dedicated guide and professional driver, this tour offers exceptional value and a complete Irish experience in one unforgettable day.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children 2 years and under are not allowed to travel
Some locations include uneven natural surfaces; sturdy strollers are recommended.
Guests requiring front-row seating due to mobility needs or disabilities are kindly asked to notify our team in advance so arrangements can be made prior to departure and to help avoid delays or stressful situations on the morning of the tour.
This tour travels on winding mountain roads and may not be suitable for travellers who experience motion sickness. Front-row seats are reserved exclusively for guests with mobility needs or disabilities and cannot be allocated for motion sickness requests.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Dublin
This tour departs from Dublin between 8:10 AM and 8:30 AM, depending on the meeting point selected at the time of booking. The tour offers three convenient central meeting locations, and customers can choose whichever departure point suits them best. As you leave the city, your guide will share information about Dublin’s history, landmark buildings, and local folklore and stories about its people. Schedule Adjustment: Please note that on Sundays and during the winter months (November to February), the itinerary changes: we start with Glendalough, the Wicklow Mountains, and a sheepdog demonstration; then visit Kilkenny in the afternoon, arriving around 2:15 PM.
The Curragh Racecourse
Travelling though the County of Kildare, rich land the home to Irelands thoroughbred race horse breeding industry. The Curragh is extensive area and National Park, it is the home to wild life while also the military base, Irelands largest prison and of course the home of Irish flat racing.
What‘s Included
WiFi on board
Regular comfort and restroom stops included throughout the day
Guided walking tours in Kilkenny City & Glendalough Monastic Site
Air-conditioned vehicle
Scenic photo stop at Wicklow Gap, a high mountain pass with panoramic views (weather permitting)
Dedicated expert guide and separate professional driver throughout the day
Traditional sheep farm visit & live sheepdog trial demonstration
Parking Fees
Secure luggage storage space on all coaches
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
No restroom on board (regular comfort and restroom stops included throughout the tour)
Gratuities are optional and at your discretion, but always appreciated if you enjoyed the tour.
Options
Guided Day Tour from Dublin
Reviews
7,918 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Girls trip!
Jocelyn M,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful experience, my favorite was stopping at Rich‘s farm and watching him work his border collie with his sheep. We were blessed with excellent weather! Our driver, Darren was great and made good recommendations on other things to do, including give us a tip on how to possibly get tickets for something that was sold out. We were able to get tickets, we very much appreciated that!
Great for Kids and Family
Liam C,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Darren was very knowledgeable and we had a great time with our kids listening to the stories and looking at the sites
It’s a full day, but...
Jennifer C,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Gary, was fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and a lot of fun throughout the entire trip. He shared fascinating insights about Scottish history, culture, and the stories behind the places we visited, which made the experience even more memorable. We especially enjoyed learning about Glencoe and keeping an eye out for “Nessie” at Loch Ness. Wear comfortable shoes, some parts could be muddy. Overall, this tour is a wonderful way to see some of Scotland’s most iconic sights in one day. Highly recommend it to anyone visiting Edinburgh who wants to experience the beauty and history of the Highlands!
Stellar work
Samantha B,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00It was freezing but the bus was warm and dry! I wish I had brought better shoes to walk in with all the rain, but the company on the bus was stellar. Our guide was very encouraging to us to try new things and explore. For such a small amount of money this was 10 hours of a lot of fun. The bus is comfortable, the WiFi works well and the charging ports really came in handy. I was glad to be able to learn about the rich history of Dublin while going around and feeling the country! I had a lot of fun at the first stop going into the castle (~10) and walking around to the local shops for some shopping. Many say the best part was the sheep but I thought Wicklow Way Gleann Dá Loch - Glendalough was great to explore nature and relax for a bit outside. Be careful when it’s wet walking up and down the stairs because you do not want to fall
Joe Murphy The Guide and Paulo the Driver!
Apollonia E,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I must recommend this for kids! They’ll love the sheepdog experience! Also, our tour guide, Joe Murphy is amazing! Very attentive to us on board and very funny! Him and our driver Paulo are quite the dynamic duo. Very amusing to hear them tease one another on the ride and Joe Murphy’s enthusiasm to include us and our culture throughout the bus ride is very entertaining. Totally recommend him as a guide!
Murphy was a very...
Lydia F,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Murphy was a very knowledgeable, friendly, and funny guide. Paolo was a great driver and got us to all out destinations safely. Every stop of the trip was well worth it and I highly recommend!
Stunning scenery
Sandra V,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I had no idea that there was a hike to the lakes. It should be advertised with km and difficulty. We enjoyed it all immensely
This is an incredible...
Haley F,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is an INCREDIBLE experience. The sheepdog experience and lambs was amazing. The walk in Glendalough felt like being immersed in a magical mossy fairy forest. Out of this world! Kilkenny was adorable. Fabulous day! Sean and Podge made the whole experience fantastic. You can tell they love what they do and care about their passengers.
Kilkenny by Dublin
Andrea G,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00I recently joined the Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough Day Tour from Dublin, and overall I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars. The tour itself is well structured and covers beautiful and historic locations such as Kilkenny, the Wicklow Mountains, and the Glendalough monastic site in a single day with organized transport and guided explanations. The main positive aspect of the experience was the tour guide. She was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and very easy to understand. Her explanations about Irish history, culture, and the places we visited were clear and engaging, and they added real value to the trip. Thanks to her, we were able to better understand the importance of each location. Unfortunately, the driver had a very negative impact on the experience. He was extremely rude, constantly rushed the group, and made it difficult to properly enjoy the stops. At one point, he almost left one of our group members behind by starting to drive away without making sure everyone was back on the bus. He also did not allow enough time even for basic needs like going to the bathroom, which made the day stressful instead of relaxing. The situation became worse when he also insulted my friend, which was completely unacceptable and very unprofessional. In addition, he talked excessively on the bus, not allowing passengers to rest during what is already a long day of travel. In summary, the guide helped save part of the experience thanks to her professionalism and knowledge, but the driver’s behavior significantly lowered the overall quality of the tour.
Lovely day…
dmissel,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was so nice to get out of Dublin for the day and see another side of Irish life. Paul and John were marvelous tour guide and driver, respectively! Despite having a late start due to historic rains and flooding - Wild Rover tours communicated quickly and clearly and made every effort to keep our tour on schedule. We could not have done it without them - and cannot think of anyone else we would rather have done it with. THANK YOU BOTH!!
From €40.00
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Operated by Wild Rover Tours