wicklow mountains bus tour

"A DAY OF ADVENTURE AND LAUGHTER" Bus BOOK YOUR TOUR "THIS IS BY FAR

THE BEST TOUR WE HAVE BEEN ON"

"A TOAST OF JAMESON,

TO NEW FOUND FRIENDS WAS A MAGICAL TOUCH"

The Original Wild Wicklow Day Tour

During one magical day, you’ll see why Wicklow is known as “The Garden of Ireland.” Explore the Wicklow mountains on this tour from Dublin.

WILD WICKLOW TOURS

For over two decades, Denis O’Reilly successfully helmed the award-winning Wild Wicklow Tour, establishing a legacy of excellence since 1997. With a strong partnership established over the years, Denis entrusted the business to Tony Doyle Coaches Ltd in 2023.

We believe your holiday time is precious and we want to make sure you have a truly memorable day with us.

Explore one of the most famous and enchanting places in Ireland, Glendalough. The spectacular hidden mountains and barren boglands at Sally’s Gap will leave you breathless.

FEATURED IN

Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough Day Tour From Dublin. (Includes Sheep Farm & Dog Trials)

Full Guided Day Tour

Explore Authentic Ireland

Transport & All Admissions

2023 TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Award for Northern Europe – Wild Rover Tours listed in the Top 20 Activities and the only tour company to be awarded this honour.

Visit Kilkenny City originating back to the 6th century monastery built in honour of St Canice and capital of Confederate Ireland 1642-1649.

Enjoy a 45 minute guided walking tour of the narrow streets and the grounds of the magnificent Norman castle dating from 1172. Learn of its storied history, the site of the earliest recorded witch trial, the battles with Oliver Cromwell's “roundheads”, the Vikings presence to it now being referred to as the Cultural Capital of Ireland.

Travel through the stunning landscape of the Wicklow Gap and Wicklow Mountains film location of movies such as Braveheart, Excalibur, PS, I Love you and the TV series Vikings

Discover the beautiful Glendalough valley and walk the twin lakes in Irelands largest national park. Enjoy a 30 minute guided walking tour in the ruins of St Kevin’s Monastery and see the spectacular 11th century granite round tower standing over 30 meters in height. It was constructed my the monks as protection from the marauding Vikings.

Why Choose this Tour

Reviewed the number 1 tour company in Ireland every year between 2014 and 2023 with multi-year awards every year across Europe and rest of the world.

We are the only day tour operator to employ a separate driver to ensure safety and a separate guide to entertain.

Our guides are experts in Irish history, folklore and culture. Entertainment is guaranteed as we travel to Ireland’s top attractions.

Guided tour of Kilkenny City and Glendalough’s Monastic City included. Purely optional to participate in.

We guarantee the maximum time at featured attractions. For example, 2 hours and 30 mins in Kilkenny and 2 hours plus at Glendalough.

We do not accept 'soft commission' ensuring no time-wasting or low-interest stops for our customers.

Comfort breaks are built into the itinerary of the day.

Wild Rover Tours has the newest fleet of vehicles with unlimited 4G wifi on board.

We guarantee you the very best of customer service at all times. Once our customer you are always our valued customer.

Tour Details

Adult: €43.00 Child / Student (with valid ID) : €38.00

We apologise but tour is not suitable for children aged two and under.

Book 2 tours with our new BUNDLE and receive 10% off both tours, or 12.5% off if you book 3.

AVAILABILITY:

Every day, all year round

8:10 AM  - Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin, 23 Upper O'Connell Street, D01 C3W7 8:20 AM - Bus Stop, 33 College Green / Dame Street, D02 DD76 (50 metres from the front gates of Trinity College overlooking the street fountain) 8:30 AM  - Leonardo Hotel Dublin Christchurch, D08 RWK7 (Formerly Jurys Inn)

6:20 PM – Bus Stop, Westmoreland Street, DO2 HR67

Admissions to all attractions, transport and guides.

NOT INCLUDED:

Lunch. You will have the opportunity to have lunch during our stop in Kilkenny.

ABOUT THE VEHICLE:

Luxury air-conditioned coaches with 4G WiFi

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Full refund up to 24 hours cancellation notice in advance of the date of the tour. That is prior to 12.01am on the day before the tour date.

Cancellation notice must be given by email, if no cancellation notice is given, the refund policy is then at the discretion of the reservations department.

Our payment gateway requires Strong Customer Authentication (SCA). If you are having difficulty with SCA you will need to contact your card issuer or bank.  Please note your reservation is not confirmed until you receive a booking confirmation via email. If you have not received a booking confirmation please contact us .

KILKENNY CITY

45 Minute Guided Walking Tour

Visit Medieval Kilkenny Castle

During the winter months (Nov- Feb) and on Sundays, we will go to Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains first, and will visit Kilkenny City in the afternoon.

Arriving at 10am, the first stop on our 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 MOUNTAIN TOUR

Journey Through Wicklow Mountains

Visit Film Locations

After lunch, we 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

Explore a Glacial Valley

Visit Glendalough's Monastic City

Continuing over the Wicklow Mountains, we 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.

Our guides 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

See a Shepherd at Work

Journey Through the Highest Village in Ireland

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 , we 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 we begin our return journey and arrive  back in Dublin city at approximately 6:15pm .

Special Offers

Four bundles from dublin.

10% Off. Cliffs Of Moher & Galway + Giant’s Causeway & Belfast (2 x Tours)

10% Off. Cliffs Of Moher & Galway + Wicklow & Kilkenny (2 x Tours)

10% Off. Belfast & Giant’s Causeway + Wicklow & Kilkenny (2 x Tours)

12.5% Off: 3 Tour Saver. Cliffs of Moher (with Bunratty) + Belfast + Wicklow

What our clients love, about wild rover tours, wild rover tours.

Shopping Centre, Day Trips & Tours Ticket Kiosk, Saint Stephen's Green, Dublin 2

• Alexandra McDonald ★★★★★ in the last week What a fantastic and professional tour company! This Red Rover tour from Dublin to the Cliffs was the perfect choice for my 7 year old and me. We were visiting Dublin for a long weekend and the Cliffs had been a bucket list item, and not stressing about driving was my main reason for booking. I reserved on their website directly (a fair price!) and went to the meeting point that day at 7am. They have … More large, comfortable coaches with their logo. The Cliffs are magnificent and a must-see! The driver Garry and our guide Rory were so professional and entertaining. Rory pointed out landmarks as we drove, gave us a comprehensive history of Ireland, and had such a lovely personality all day! We made a rest stop on the route there and back (no WC on the bus). We returned back at 7:30pm and it was such a great (albeit long) day. Furthermore, Rory came through the cabin as we were arriving back in Dublin to answer any personal questions we had about the area, and took a few minutes to recommend local restaurants, pubs, and experiences that we would find useful. Absolutely recommend!!
• Liz Switzer ★★★★★ a week ago The Cliffs of Moher and Galway tour was fabulous! Rory was a very knowledgeable and kind guide. He also went out of his way to make special connections with almost everyone on the bus. This was such a special experience and I would recommend to anyone visiting Ireland!
• Kevin D. ★★★★★ 3 days ago This was an outstanding trip. Our Guide Neil and driver Brian were excellent. Neil was very knowledgeable, fun and gave us tons of information and tips. Kilkenny is a wonder city and Kilkenny Castle and grounds were absolutely stunning. The Wicklow mountains offered some great views of the Irish Countyside, but the absolute icing on the cake was Cullen’s sheep farm. This was so entertaining and informative. … More We learned about life as an Irish sheep farmer in the mountains and even got to hold baby lambs. I highly recommend. This was a great trip if you want to get out of Dublin and see a different side of Ireland.
• Stefan Herlein ★★★★★ 3 months ago Did the Northern Ireland highlights day trip from Dublin. Amazing experience. Fantastic day spent learning about the troubles, exploring castle ruins and wondering the giants causeway. Perfect way to spend a day in Ireland! The Company was great, the tour guide and bus driver were professional and so much fun. A little more time at the deluce castle would have been nice, but time was limited. 100% … More recommend this experience.
• Liam Dunphy ★★★★★ a week ago Had an amazing tour of the Cliffs of Moher and Galway with Wild Rover Tours, Sean was an excellent guide who really brought the tour to life. Many thanks to our driver Darran as well for getting us there and back in one piece! If you are looking to get out and see Ireland beyond Dublin, I can’t recommend them enough!
• John F ★★★★★ in the last week We were first time travelers to Ireland who wanted to get in as much as we could in a short amount of time. We booked three tours via viator and this one was with Wild Rover tours to Northern Ireland. The guide and driver , Dave and John, were knowledgeable, skilled, friendly and kind. We did the Titanic Museum choice when in Belfast vs the black cab taxi tour. The titanic museum was terrific but easily … More 4 hours jammed into 2. Would probably choose black cabs if we did it again. Dunluce Castle and the Giants Causeway were absolutely worth seeing and again, too short, but it’s a long day and to get it all in there are trade offs. The stops and facilities were good. I would appreciate an emergency loo in the bus which they didn’t have (just good to know it’s there if needed!)
• Cari Gray ★★★★★ 3 weeks ago Our tours were great! We had guide Una with driver Patrick to Belfast, Dunluce Castle, and Giants Causeway, then guide Kevin with driver Marko to Cliffs of Moher. Ennis, and Bunratty Castle (we chose Ennis because the pics of Galway looked crowded). Our guides were friendly, entertaining, and were very knowledgeable of Irish history and the areas we visited. Our drivers were nice and got us to all … More our destinations safely. We ended up arriving to Ireland a day late and had no problem changing our tour dates. We highly recommend Wild Rover Tours!
• Dan Jones ★★★★★ 3 months ago This was a fantastic trip. I took the Belfast / Giants Causeway for the day. Our driver Warren, was friendly and drove very safely. Our guide for the day, Una was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and genuinely pleasant to spend the day with. This tour combined excellent sites. I really enjoyed it.
• Sonia Rodriguez ★★★★★ 3 weeks ago The tour was wonderful, we enjoyed Glendalough, Kilkenny and Wicklow...the tour guide was so engaged and humorous. We learned so much history. Heading back to California content. Irish people were fabulous and kind.

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• The Original Award Winning Wild Wicklow Tour incl. Glendalough
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Flexible 100% Refund Policy.

Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full-Day Tour

Multi-award winning tour

Professional tour guide & separate coach driver

Voted top 3 best experiences in Ireland

Fáilte! Explore Ireland on our multi-award winning tour

Experience first-hand Ireland’s natural beauty and join us as we travel across the Emerald Isle’s spectacular landscape. Sit back, relax and discover ‘the Garden of Ireland’ and why it’s one of Ireland’s most beautiful visitor destinations.

The stunning Wicklow Mountain range

Medieval Kilkenny & its intriguing history

6th-century monastic settlement & round tower

The world famous Glendalough valley & glacial lakes

Movie locations such as Braveheart & P.S. I Love You

Click the tabs to find out more

Tour details, guide, coaches and driver.

Adults €40 Seniors €40 Youth (12 – 17) €40 Children (3 – 11) €40

Departure time

08:45 Depart O’Connell St. Upper (in front of the Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin)

Arrive back in Dublin

18:00 Arrive back in Dublin – drop off point Westmoreland Street (near Trinity College)

Availability

Operating every day, all year round

• Transport to and from Dublin City on award-winning 5-star luxury touring coaches
• Live commentary provided in English
• Wicklow Mountains tour
• Separate professional tour guide on board
• Guided walking tour through Glendalough Valley and monastic settlements
• Guided historical walking tour of Kilkenny City
• Entry to Glendalough Monastic Settlement and Wicklow Mountains National Park

Not included

Lunch, entrance to Kilkenny Castle

What to bring

Warm clothing, comfortable footwear, camera & umbrella

Experience Ireland’s natural beauty and join us as we travel across the spectacular Wicklow mountain range to Glendalough . Glendalough in Irish means ‘valley of the two lakes’ and is also home to the 6th century monastic settlement. Discover medieval Kilkenny and its famous castle and find out why it’s also dubbed one of Ireland’s most cosmopolitan cities. Our professional, caring guides are there throughout the whole tour to provide information and to answer any questions. So relax on our 5-star coaches and immerse yourself in the immense natural beauty that Ireland has to offer.

Itinerary breakdown: 08:45 Depart O’Connell St. Upper (in front of the Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Hotel) 10:15  Arrive Glendalough 11:30 Travel across the Wicklow Gap (photo opportunities) 13:15 Arrive Kilkenny 16:15 Depart Kilkenny 18:00 Arrive Dublin City Centre (Westmoreland Street ,near Trinity College)

Glendalough

Glendalough is one of Ireland’s most iconic regions. Here, beauty and landscape meet the history and legends of Ireland’s Golden Age . For thousands of years people have been drawn to ‘the valley of the two lakes‘ for its spectacular scenery, rich history, archaeology and abundant wildlife .  Our knowledgeable guides will take you on a walking tour of the 6th-century monastic settlement. These early Christian ruins were founded by St. Kevin and from this developed the “ Monastic City ”. Most of the buildings that survive today date from the 10th through 12th centuries. Next to the most famous of all the landmarks in Glendalough – the Round Tower . It stands 33 metres above the ground and was built almost 1000 years ago by the monks of St. Kevin’s monastery. Lastly, a short walk from the settlement lies the stunning Glendalough Lake. Surrounded by the rolling green mountains, here also lies the cave that St. Kevin called home for 7 years on the banks of the glacial waters. There will be plenty of time for pictures and to soak up the valley’s natural beauty , so come and discover why Glendalough is one of the best places to visit in Ireland.

Wicklow Mountains National Park

Known locally as the Dublin Mountains, the 40 kilometres journey from Dublin along the spine of the Wicklow Mountains is an awe-inspiring sight which stretches over most of County Wicklow on Ireland’s east coast. This tour will take you across the naturally wild Wicklow Gap through some of Ireland’s most spectacular and varied scenery. The winding mountain roads, natural ruggedness and the fast-flowing aibhneacha (Irish for rivers) are only a few reasons to bring your camera along! The tour sets aside special opportunities for photos.

Kilkenny City

From Dublin to Kilkenny, Ireland’s medieval capital is the last stop of the day. Quietly sitting on the banks of the River Nore, Kilkenny is where modernity meets history. With its narrow winding streets, brightly coloured shop fronts and ancient castles and ruins, it’s as picturesque as it is full of rich, intriguing history . The town also has deep religious roots and many well-preserved churches and monasteries, including the famous St. Canice’s Cathedral and the Black Abbey Dominican priory, both dating back from the 13th century. Here, we will take a guided walking tour to explore the city through the medieval side streets. The highlights include the ‘Black Abbey’ and castle gardens and there’s always time to fit in a pint – touring can be thirsty work!

Tour Guides

With a wealth of knowledge and the famous Irish smile, we believe that the tour guide is the most important element in a successful touring day, bringing everything to life and giving meaning to every part of the visit. This is why we have a separate tour guide in addition to a professional coach driver. This allows the guide to escort you on the tour and on the various visits. Our tour guides are all approved and have completed all the necessary qualifications and training courses. They all have many years experience and are always delighted to assist you in any way possible during the tour.

Our fleet of 5-star executive coaches are the most luxurious in Ireland, custom built and equipped to the highest possible standards to ensure you enjoy the ultimate travelling experience. Our impressive fleet consists of modern, high quality, air-conditioned 5-star touring coaches which are custom built to ensure our passengers enjoy the ultimate travelling experience. The average age of our touring fleet is less than 2 years. All of our vehicles offer complimentary WIFI, USB charging points, air-conditioning, reclining leather seats, entertainment system, footrests, armrests, tinted windows, fridge, carpets, extra legroom, courier seat and curtains.

Our drivers are all fully qualified, professional coach drivers and they all receive extensive in-house training in customer service and health and safety to ensure your safety and comfort on your day tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hot drinks or hot food are not allowed. However, cold drinks with screw caps are perfect.

We don’t have a toilet on the bus, but there are sufficient bathroom opportunities during the day.

90% of the coaches used on our Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Day Tour have USB charging points on board so you can charge your phone and camera on the move. For all other day tours, USB charging points may not be available.

Please refer to the Trip Details section for our pick-up location. Feel free to contact us if you require any further assistance.

All of our coaches have 4G wifi aboard.

Check out what our guests are saying

Moisy53 | may 2023.

What a day! Pat and Alec were tops! Pat’s history and good sense of fun was wonderful. He treated us to the best day outside the city of Dublin but with information to Dublin’s best points of interests. Alec was an amazing driver and got us to our places of Irish history safely and in a timely manner. We would highly recommend Collins Tours for your next visit to Dublin.

Denise K. | May 2023

Pat and Alec made this tour just amazing. Excellent driving and Pat’s knowledge and love for Ireland gave us everything needed for a tour. Would absolutely recommend this tour over any other

its m | May 2023

The tour was amazing, with the best tour guide and bus driver!! Pat and Alec, thanks for the amazing experience!! We were entertained through the whole experience and we learned a lot about Ireland and it’s amazing wonders! 5 out of 5 and thumbs up for Pat and Alec!

Schalk S. | May 2023

We really enjoyed the entire day. The scenery was gorgeous and there was an awesome sense of history at each site we visited. Pat was an excellent host and guide and Alec ensured that the drive was comfortable and smooth. 10/10 would recommend. I wish all guides were like this.

Patricia B. | April 2023

Our tour guide was fantastic – so knowledgeable & hails from County Kildare! Lots of stories – not like someone who has memorized a script – would definitely recommend to others to book with Collin tours!

Angela J | April 2023

Pat our guide was fabulous, so knowledgeable and a good sense of humour, he really went the extra mile in ensuring we had a great trip. My 13 year old son also loved it! Thanks also to Arnes our bus driver, some of those roads were narrow and you navigated them very well!

Looking for more? Read our blog!

Top things to do in kilkenny, glendalough – what makes it so beautiful.

A Tour of the Wicklow Mountains, including Glendalough

I’ve visited the Wicklow Mountains many times but not as much as I should have, given that I lived only about 30 mins away for much of my life! So I was delighted get the chance to visit recently on a tour of the  Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough , thanks to  PrivateTour.com .

Disclosure :   This is not a paid or sponsored post. All opinions are my own, based on my experience on the trip.

Wicklow Mountains Tour

After getting picked up from O’Connell Street in Dublin city centre, we soon left the hustle and bustle of the city behind as we headed south to the Wicklow Mountains. Before long the drone of traffic, the busy motorways and drab buildings were replaced by green fields, mountain peaks, autumn coloured trees and quiet country roads. We were headed right to the heart of Wicklow, to the Wicklow Mountains National Park. 

Boasting over 20,000 hectares, Wicklow Mountains National Park is the largest of the six National Parks in Ireland. As it covers such a vast area, one of the best and recommended ways to experience the National Park is to take a scenic drive through it.

Autumn colours at Glendalough

There’s plenty of opportunity to appreciate the expansive vistas and wilderness of the National Park on the trip. Much of the landscape is made up of blanket bog and heath, which you can clearly see as you pass through places like the famous Sally Gap and also on the distant slopes and rounded peaks of the Wicklow Mountains.

I haven’t done many bus tours in Ireland, as I usually just make my own way around. So, it made a nice change to have someone else doing the driving. I could just relax and take in the views as our guide Richie took care of navigating the narrow winding roads. Not to mention, I didn’t have to worry about taking wrong turns and getting lost, something I can be a little prone to!

Glencree Valley – Stop 1

Our first stop was at the Glencree Visitor Centre. Nestled in Glencree valley, just at the edge of Wicklow National Park, Glencree is a very scenic area with a rich history.

Glencree was once a site of military occupation. Barracks were built here in the early 19th century after the Irish Rebellion of 1798, for the purpose of hunting out guerrillas hiding out in the mountains. The buildings were later used as a reformatory school, a prisoner of war camp during World War I and a temporary Refugee Centre from 1945 – 1950.

Now the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, the buildings are used to facilitate engagement between groups involved in and effected by violent conflict, both in Ireland and internationally. There are free exhibitions with more information of the history of Glencree or you can enjoy a bite to eat or purchase local crafts and gifts in the Armoury Café.

I took a little wander outside the grounds to have a look at the Lourdes Grotto and German Military Cemetery nearby.

Grottos are a familiar sight all over Ireland, often found just at the side of the road or at junctions. The Glencree Grotto is a good example of a typical grotto and is located in a very picturesque wooded area in the valley, beside the Glencree River. Though Ireland is no longer as deeply religious as it once was, you will find that a lot of grottos are still well cared for, often with fresh flowers in place. 

The German Military Cemetery

The German Military Cemetery at Glencree contains 134 graves. Six of the burials are soldiers from World War I and 128 are from World War II. The majority are German Air Force or Navy personnel who died in aircraft crashes or were washed up on the Irish shoreline. Many of those buried have never been identified. An impressive Celtic High Cross overlooks the cemetery from the hilltop above.

The P.S. I Love You Bridge – Stop 2

Wicklow has been used as a location for many movies and TV series and in fact it’s one of the biggest industries in Wicklow. Our next stop was a location from the movie P.S. I Love You. It has become popular with fans of the movie as it’s the bridge where Holly (Hilary Swank) meets Gerry (Gerard Butler) for the first time in the movie. Spoiler alert: They fall madly in love!

Waiting around for Gerard Butler! Photo credit: Marlon Franco / www.enterireland.com

If you’re not a fan of the film or haven’t even seen it and have no idea what I’m talking about, don’t worry. This is just a short photo stop and still a good chance to soak in the rugged beauty of the area. The bridge also makes for a picturesque photo opportunity regardless of it’s recent fame! This was pretty clear from the length of time I had to wait to get a shot without anyone else in it!

Lough Tay (Guinness Lake) – Stop 3

Next we headed to a viewpoint overlooking stunning Lough Tay. The lake is known as the Guinness Lake thanks to it’s dark water, distinctive shape and the bright white sandy beach at the top, which makes it look like of a pint of the famous black stout. It didn’t always look quite like it does now. The white sand was imported by the owners of the estate, who just happened to be the Guinness Family! 

Photo credit: Marlon Franco / www.enterireland.com

Lough Tay is undoubtedly one of the most popular and most photographed views in the park, for good reason. As well as the lake itself there are also stunning views over the Wicklow Mountains. Whatever the weather or time of year, it’s always a spectacular sight. This occasion was no exception with the autumn colours in the trees providing a beautiful pop of colour.

Lining up for the shot at Lough Tay

Fans of the TV series Vikings, may recognise the scene before them as that of Kattegat village, the home of Ragnar Lothbrok and his family.   Lough Tay is just one of many locations in Wicklow used for the show.

Glendalough – Stop 4

Once everyone had their fill of selfies and photos, it was onwards to Glendalough. Often described as the jewel in the crown of Wicklow National Park, Glendalough is a beautiful valley popular with both international and Irish visitors. It is the most visited destination within Wicklow National Park.

It’s not hard to see why. Glendalough is famous for the Monastic City, which includes a round tower but is also an area of outstanding beauty with lakes, a stunning glacial valley and some outstanding walking and hiking trails.

Two arches, once part of a larger gateway to the monastic site.

Entrance to the monastic site at Glendalough

We had two hours to explore Glendalough. You can choose to do your own thing or go for a hike with your guide. My advice is chose the hike! Richie took us on part of the St Kevin’s Way pilgrim walk which took us to the upper lake. Along the way we had lovely views of the monastic site and lake through the trees. The scenery is just beautiful this time of the year with the autumn colours and everyone commented on just how peaceful and serene it was on the walk.

After the hike we still had time to take in the beautiful scenery around the upper lake and stop for a look at the monastic site as we made our way back to the carpark at the visitor centre.

The beautiful Upper Lake at Glendalough

Avoca Village – Stop 5

Fitzgerald’s traditional irish pub.

Having worked up an appetite after our efforts at Glendalough, it was definitely time for a feed! We headed to Fitzgerald’s Pub, a traditional Irish pub in the picturesque village of Avoca. The food was delicious and reasonably priced, with some meals deals available for the tour group. We also got a complimentary sample of whiskey or Baileys. Now, it’s not like I haven’t tried it before but I’ll never say no to a Baileys!   Once I had the taster, I couldn’t resist the Baileys cheesecake for dessert either. So worth it though!

With an hour stop in Avoca, you could still have time for a quick look around the village after eating.

Handweaving

The village is famous for its handweaving. Avoca Handweavers is based in the village and is home to the oldest working mill in Ireland. Dating from 1723, the water from nearby Avoca River was used to power the mill. The company, now usually referred to simply as Avoca has numerous stores around Ireland but this is where it all started. According to Wikipedia, it is Ireland’s oldest surviving business.

Like other areas within the Wicklow Mountains, Avoca also had a rich mining history with copper being mined in the area. The Avoca mine site closed in 1982.

Ballykissangel

Around the village you may also notice “Ballykissangel” on signs and buildings, as on the image of Fitzgerald’s above. Ballykissangel was a BBC drama series which ran from 1996 to 2001. Avoca was used as the location of the fictional town of Ballykissangel, with Fitzgerald’s Pub, the shops, church, post office and Garda station used extensively. A young Colin Farrell starred in the series from 1998 to 1999 before breaking into film.

Overview of the Wicklow Mountains Tour

As with most bus tours, your guide can make or break it. Luckily for us, our guide Richie was really great. His enthusiasm was infectious and he kept us entertained along the way with lots of stories, songs and tips for other things to do in the area. We were also very impressed by his ability to reverse our large bus about 500m back down a narrow country lane when we came head to head with a logging truck!!

Richie stopped the bus several times to point out places of interest or deer in the fields when he spotted them! The stops on the tour are well spaced so that you’re not on the bus for too long at any time. The longest stretch was on the way back, returning from Avoca to the city centre. However, after a full day of activity I found myself nodding off (I don’t think I was the only one!), so the drive was over in no time.

I met some lovely people and even as a (kind of!) local, I learnt a lot on the tour and am happy to have finally made it to Glencree, as I hadn’t been before. I would have liked to spend a little more time there as I didn’t get to check out the exhibitions but I think we lost a little time due to traffic leaving the city and our logging truck friend! So there would usually be an extra15 mins, which would make a difference.

Having said that, I think that was a better option that cutting time from Glendalough, which is really the highlight of the trip. Despite having been numerous times, it’s not a place that you tire of easily. The walk with did with Richie was a route I hadn’t taken before either and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Add the autumn colours at this time of the year too and it really is something special.

The tour runs daily all year round, with the exception of St Patrick’s Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. So if you’re looking for an enjoyable day-trip to the Wicklow Mountains , check it out.

Happy exploring!

Other Wicklow Posts:

Glenmalure valley – walks, stunning scenery and a wonderful way to wind down, bosca beatha – the mobile sauna experience that’s pure bliss, lough ouler – ireland’s heart-shaped lake, share this:.

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Further Reading...

An afternoon along the Greystones to Bray Cliff Walk

Corlea Trackway – an ancient bog road over 2,000 years old!

Lough Ouler – Ireland’s Heart-Shaped Lake

george cody

My great Aunt Julia Hayde, came from Roundwood in County Wicklow, and after arriving in America (Philadelphia) in the 1870’s, married a man from Bar Harbor Maine. He died before my Aunt could visit Bar Harbor. Many years later her niece brought her to visit Bar Harbor and it’s Acadia National Park. She was amazed at how similar Acadia was to the Wicklow Mountains, and convinced her niece (My Aunt) to build a summer home on the island.

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Exploring inis oírr - the smallest of the aran islands, 10+ irish gift ideas for nature lovers and adventurers, @allaroundireland.

22 - Palo Alto Transit Center - Eastridge

Route information, external links, route stops.

• (Afternoon) Glendalough & Wicklow Mountains Half Day Tour from Dublin
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Levi’s Stadium is a great place to see an NFL Football Game, but its location in Santa Clara can be difficult to get to. Driving to the stadium from San Francisco or Mill Valley can be stressful due to game day traffic and parking is expensive. Public transportation options take a long time and can be really crowded and uncomfortable and Ride share options can be really expensive, especially with surge pricing after the games. The Levi’s Stadium Shuttle Bus was created to offer an easy and inexpensive way for people to get to the game without any hassle. Shuttles provide round-trip transportation to all of the 49ers home games from easy pickup locations in San Francisco and Mill Valley.

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If you’re a fan of the San Francisco 49ers and live in San Francisco or Marin County, getting to Levi’s Stadium for home games can be a bit of a hassle. With no easy public transportation and plenty of traffic, it’s not the easiest place to reach. However, there is a solution: the 49ers Shuttle Bus.

The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The team was founded in 1946 and has won five Super Bowl championships over the course of its history, in addition to numerous division and conference titles. The team has a passionate fan base and attracts visitors from all over the country to see their games.

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If you’re a fan of the San Francisco 49ers and want to see a home game at Levi’s Stadium, the 49ers Shuttle Bus is definitely worth considering. Not only is it convenient and cost-effective, but it’s also a fun way to get to the game and connect with other fans. So next time you’re planning on attending a 49ers game, look into the shuttle bus options and make your game day experience even better.

If you’re planning to attend a San Francisco 49ers home game at Levi’s Stadium, taking a shuttle bus is an excellent option for several reasons. Here are the top ten reasons why taking a shuttle bus to Levi’s Stadium for 49ers games is better:

• Avoid Traffic: Driving to the stadium on game day can be a nightmare with heavy traffic, long delays, and parking problems. Taking a shuttle bus eliminates this hassle, and you can sit back, relax, and let the driver deal with the traffic.
• Cost-Effective: Taking a shuttle bus to the stadium is a cost-effective way of traveling. You don’t have to worry about parking fees, gas costs, or tolls, which can add up quickly when driving to the stadium.
• Safety: Driving to the stadium can be stressful and risky, especially after the game when everyone is trying to leave at the same time. Taking a shuttle bus eliminates the risk of getting into an accident or getting lost in traffic.
• Environmentally Friendly: Taking a shuttle bus to the stadium helps reduce traffic congestion and emissions, which is better for the environment.
• Comfort: Shuttle buses are spacious, air-conditioned, and comfortable, making for a relaxing and enjoyable ride to the stadium.
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• Socializing: Taking a shuttle bus to the stadium is an excellent opportunity to meet and socialize with other fans, making for a more enjoyable game day experience.
• Avoid Parking Hassles: Parking at Levi’s Stadium can be expensive, and finding a parking spot can be challenging, especially during peak times. Taking a shuttle bus eliminates the hassle of finding a parking spot, and you can be dropped off right at the stadium.
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Taking a shuttle bus to Levi’s Stadium for 49ers games is an excellent option for those who want to avoid traffic, save money, stay safe, be environmentally friendly, and have a comfortable and enjoyable ride. It’s also an opportunity to socialize with other fans and make new friends while attending a game.

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I took the tour again recently, because I had been told that it had improved since my last visit.

The result?  Yes, it is improved.

They addressed all of my earlier complaints about the  tour guides:

• I had complained that it was sometimes hard to hear them speak, so they now pass out individual headphones that allow guests to easily hear the guide under all conditions.
• I had noted that it was strictly a walking tour, and that all that walking could be a bit tiring for some members of the group.  So now they shuttle guests around in golf carts that hold about six people each - making for small, intimate tour groups, and making it easy for the less hardy to easily traverse the lot.
• I had also complained that the tour guides' training seemed lacking, when it came to knowing the history of the studio.  But if the guide on my latest tour was typical, they have solved that problem as well.  Our guide, Travis, seemed well-versed on both the history and current activities of the studio, as well as being personable & professional.  He couldn't have done a much better job, given the natural limitations of the tour.  They have also outfitted the guides with iPads, which allow them to show guests photos and short videos illustrating the subjects under discussion.

And unless I'm imagining it, the studio lot itself (or at least its southern edge, around the Paseo) seems to look better, more gentrified, than on my previous trips - almost resembling a college campus in spots.

All in all, those are some nice improvements, and make for a much better tour than what I experienced in my earlier visits to the studio.

However, what they couldn't fix are the problems inherent to the Paramount lot itself.

Don't get me wrong, Paramount Studios is one of the most historic studio lots in town (and in fact, the only major studio still officially inside the Hollywood borders).  They made the very first movie to win an Academy Award ("Wings"), and on this lot they have shot such classics as  "The Godfather", "Forrest Gump", "Titanic", "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Going My Way", "Sunset Blvd", "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "King Kong", "Braveheart", "Grease" and the "Star Trek" series, to name just a few.

But what it lacks is a traditional big back lot, full of permanent standing outdoor sets.  This was a staple of the major studios back in the Golden Age, filled with faux residential neighborhoods, jungles, mock railroads, Western towns, and Paris streets.  These big back lots were always the most colorful and interesting aspects of any movie studio, at least from the standpoint of a visitor.  MGM had a huge back lot, before they tore it down in the '70s.  Warner Bros. still has theirs.  As does Universal, of course.

To the average tour guest, all sound stages look more or less the same: distinguished only by the large numbers painted on their sides.  When they're in use, they are usually off-limits to tours.  When they are not in use, they are usually empty or filled with folded flats and lighting equipment.  So the guides are mostly limited to driving past these faceless barns, and telling us the history of each one, with tour guests catching an occasional glimpse of their dark, mostly empty interiors through the occasional open door.

( I noticed that they have added plaques to the outside of each sound stage, listing the notable movies & TV shows made inside.  That's great, except that the tour tram usually doesn't get close enough, or stop long enough for guests to read them. )

I realize that they can't, in practical terms, let the guests watch while movies are being made.  But they could (and should) show us more of the behind-the-scenes process.  Guests need to see things like the costume department, the prop houses, the recording studios, the dressing rooms, the mini-factories where they build the sets - and it sure wouldn't hurt to show guests at least one movie camera somewhere along the tour.

In short, they keep guests on the outside far too often, looking at exterior walls passing by, and listening to the guide's spiel.  Granted, the general buzz of the studio (its streets cluttered with white production trailers, and buzzing with the bikes and golf carts used to get around the lot) can be interesting in its own right, but a little of that goes a long way.

During my most recent tour, we only went inside twice: once to step into a tiny, empty, corner space in the New York set (that was once used for filming a scene from "Breakfast at Tiffany's"), and a second time to visit the empty set of "The Doctors" (a daytime TV talk show that I honestly never heard of).

Still, the tour is indeed better than it used to be, and I have to give them high marks for making an effort. And it remains superior to the Sony studio tour , which is just downright boring.  However, it still doesn't measure up to the Warner Bros. tour , with its huge back lot and more comprehensive tour.

But there are legitimate reasons why someone might opt for the Paramount tour.

As the photo on the left shows, Paramount is the only major studio where you have a view of the Hollywood Sign from inside the lot. OK, let's get into the details of what you'll see:

The Paramount tour takes a full two hours, and barely scratches the surface of the numerous buildings and sound stages that make up the 65-acre studio.

When he does, your first stop will be the Paramount gift shop, where they will give you some time to wander around the small store (where they no doubt hope you will spend your money on one of their t-shirts or coffee mugs, all bearing the familiar Paramount mountain logo).  You can also get a cup of coffee here, and relax for a moment under an umbrella at a patio table just outside.

They will then head east along the south edge of the studio lot, along the Paseo, the tiled walkway that runs parallel to Melrose, inside the studio.  On the right (south) edge of this broad walkway is a small strip of lawn, called Marathon Park, that is often also used for filming (due to its convenient location and relatively low cost), and the guide will tell you about a few of those productions.

Then it is on to the iconic Bronson gate (the one featured in "Sunset Blvd", "The Artist", and many other films), where you'll be given the chance to pose for photos near that famous arch.  (It is indeed a very photogenic spot.)

This brief history lecture (visually aided by the guide's iPad) seems to replace the short film about Paramount that used to be shown to tour guests before the start of the tour.  That's a mixed blessing, since its hard for a single person, no matter how talented, to compete with a professionally-made documentary film featuring the highlights of the studio's 100-year history.

Back outside on the Paseo, you'll be shown the original bench from "Forrest Gump", and regaled with stories about how Tom Hanks showed up one day to sit on the bench and pass out chocolates to passersby.

Then it's back on the tram, and through the Bronson gate into the actual working studio.

From here on in, the tours are somewhat played by ear.

As an example, on my visit, the guide ran into an unexpected problem.  While taking us to see the New York set (usually the highlight of the tour), he found his way blocked by a giant white tent, erected for some special event (you can rent the New York set for just such events, if you have the $10,000 a day it costs).  As a result, we ended up having to take a roundabout route and ended up seeing only a small section of the large New York set (portions of which mimic several East Coast cities).

We got out and were allowed to step inside the empty shell of a small storefront that our guide told us was used as the interior for Alex's boutique, called "Xela" on the TV sitcom "Happy Endings".  Since I never watched the show, that didn't mean much to me.

We were shown clips (via the guide's iPad) of a scene shot there from "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

We were also shown a very small alleyway just outside with fake bricks, and with fake sewers that could be rigged to emit steam, to add to that east coast ambiance.

Along the way, there was a lot of talk of the current TV shows filming on the lot: "NCIS", "Glee" "Happy Endings" and "Rizzoli & Isles".  There are also a lot of Nickelodeon kid shows filming at the studio, with names like "Big Time Rush" and "Marvin Marvin", which didn't ring a bell with most of the adults on this tour.

Tourists always hope to see a celebrity on a tour like this, but that is always a longshot chance.

We also saw a number of little kids spill out of a bus, and were told they were the cast of an upcoming Nickelodeon show called "Haunted Hathaways".  But since the show hasn't aired yet, that didn't mean much.

Likewise, our guide later pointed out a tween girl in a colorful dress, and identified her as Ryan Newman, an up-&-coming star (according to our guide) appearing with Tony Danza on his latest sitcom, "See Dad Run".

But, as expected, the better-known stars of "NCIS", "Glee" or even "Happy Endings" were nowhere in sight.

Finally, we headed to the southwest corner of the Paramount lot, which used to be RKO Studios, and later DesiLu (before Paramount absorbed it).

Our guide showed us Lucy Park (and an adjacent childcare center built by Lucille Ball for her employees).

We took a look at (the exterior) of Stage 21, where RKO filmed the original "King Kong", and then it was back to the studio cafe (seen on "Glee" as "Breadsticks"), where we disembarked and dispersed (after more encouragement to spend money in the studio gift shop).

The bottom line?  The studio tour is better than it used to be, and well worth the time, when you're in Hollywood.  But it could still be better.  And the historic Paramount lot, while it has a lot to offer, isn't the ideal movie studio for a tour.

Parking : Parking is available across the street from the famous Bronson gate, in a paid lot at the corner of Bronson & Melrose. (The cost for parking was a flat $10.00 on my last visit.)

Admission Price : $53 for the two-hour guided tour. (No one under age 10 is allowed on the tour.) Advance reservations are required (at 323-956-1777, or online at www.paramountstudiotour.com ).

(They also offer a special  4 1/2 hour VIP tour, once per week – on weekday mornings at 9:30 AM, and weekday afternoons at 1 PM. The cost is $178, and reservations are necessary .)

 [ Prices are current as of December 2014.]

You enter through the new double-arch Paramount gate on Melrose, just west of the older Bronson gate. There is a pedestrian walkway on the right (east) side of this entrance. Stop at the booth there.

Hours : Guided tours of the studio are given every day (except some holidays), every half hour from 9:30 AM to 2 PM.  (Weekend schedule may vary.) The tours last two hours.

[For more information on this subject, you can access Paramount's official website at: http://www.paramount.com .]