On a Wild Rover Tour you will journey through incredible unspoilt landscapes, quaint traditional villages, historic landmarks, friendly communities and all the green fields you could ever imagine. Escape the city to discover the true essence of this mystical country on a day trip from Dublin.
Ireland is well known as the land of poets, storytellers, myths and legends, and at Wild Rover they are committed to helping you unearth this ancient isle’s secrets. Because they value good storytelling, their guides are experts in Irish history and folklore and will be with you every step of the way to answer your questions. Learn more about the enchanting locations they explore on their day trips from Dublin.
Day trips from Dublin only.
Full Day Tour
During the winter months (Nov- Feb) and on Sundays, you will go to Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains first, and will visit Kilkenny City in the afternoon.
Kilkenny
Arriving at 10am, the first stop on your day tour from Dublin is Kilkenny, a city as historic as it is charming. Your 45- minute guided walking tour of Kilkenny City will take you through the narrow and winding cobbled streets and under the city’s many medieval arches. There are plenty of tales to be told by your entertaining guide along the way; from kings and sieges to witch trials and murder.
After the walking tour, you will have a further 1 hour 45 minutes to explore Kilkenny at your own leisure. The city’s compact nature means that all the points of interest are easily accessible by foot and you will have plenty of time to visit an attraction if you wish (admission is not included). You may choose to visit the famous 12th century Kilkenny Castle, in the heart of the city on the banks of the River Nore. Alternately, you could visit Rothe House, a magnificent example of a wealthy silk merchant’s home containing multiple medieval exhibits; including priceless Viking artefacts and a medieval garden.
Kilkenny has a proud food heritage and you will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch while in the city, your tour guide will be happy to make some recommendations. Depart Kilkenny at 12:30pm.
Wicklow Mountains
During the winter months, you will go to Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains first, and will visit Kilkenny City in the afternoon. After lunch, you travel through the county of Carlow into the wild and rugged Wicklow Mountains and the Wicklow Gap. The landscape on your Wicklow Mountains tour will change from lush green rich pasture with gentle valleys, to the dramatic and the breathtaking ancient glacial valleys of the Wicklow Gap. The journey through the mountains will bring you through spectacular locations where famous movies such as Braveheart and PS I Love You were filmed. Enjoy a 20 minute stop for a stroll and photographic opportunities on top of the Wicklow Mountains overlooking the glens and valleys of County Wicklow.
Glendalough
During the winter months, you will go to Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains first, and will visit Kilkenny City in the afternoon. Continuing over the Wicklow Mountains, you arrive at the heritage site of Glendalough (Glen of two lakes) at 14:30pm. On arrival in Glendalough, you can join your tour guide on a 30-minute guided tour of Glendalough’s Monastic City. The Monastic city dates to 600 AD and is heralded as a national monument of immense importance having played an important role in reintroducing Christianity to Northern and Central Europe after the Dark Ages. The guide will leave you with some of the folklore and legendary stories of Glendalough’s past and direct you towards the stunning Upper Lake. You will have ample time to take a walk and fully appreciate the beauty of the area’s natural wonders.
Glendalough: Sheep Farm and Dog Trials
When on tour, you have the opportunity to join a real Irish Shepherd at work together with his best friend the Border Collie sheepdog.
The dog, listening to the whistling sounds from the Shepherd, will herd the sheep across fields, through gates and fencing into corrals, out again over ditches around trees to your feet. Depending on the time of the year you will also have the opportunity to hold and feed a baby lamb. This is an experience not to be missed!
Departing at 17:10, your journey through the highest village in Ireland known as Roundwood. From there you can see the Sugarloaf Mountains, which prior to the Ice Age were higher than the Alps. You can also catch a glimpse of the Powerscourt Estate and the Glen of Imaal just before reaching Kilmacanogue. Now it’s time to sit back and relax as you begin your return journey and arrive back in Dublin city.
Schedule: Every day, all year around
Except: 17/03, Easter Sunday, 24-26/12
Departs: 8:10hrs – Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin, 23 Upper O’Connell Street, D01 C3W7
Returns: 18:20hrs – Bus Stop, Westmoreland Street, DO2 HR67
