Dublin to Kilkenny: Private day trip
Private ride with a local driver
6h 15mRound tripPrivate driver
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About your trip
Depart Dublin for a day to explore Kilkenny, a richly historic city that will transport you back in time along cobblestone streets. Here, youāll marvel at a stunning medieval castle, climb one of the areaās round towers at St. Caniceās Cathedral, and visit the countryās oldest brewery, Smithwicks.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Dublin whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your driverās local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden cafĆ© here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips youāll love sharing later. This isnāt a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.Explore at your own pace
Enjoy a stress-free route with total flexibility at your destination. Your driver provides suggestions based on your interests, helping you spend the day exactly how you want for an experience that's uniquely yours.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Kilkenny should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
- Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From ā¬130
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotalā¬390
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Dublin
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Kilkenny
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 3 hours - admission not included
Explore Kilkenny, full of medieval charm and home to Irelandās oldest brewery.
In Kilkenny, you can meander the preserved cobbled streets and learn more about the cityās rich history along the medieval mile. Be sure to take photos outside of the magnificent Kilkenny Castle, and visit St. Maryās Medieval Mile Museum for insight into the areaās archaeological heritage. Then, climb the round tower at St. Caniceās Cathedral for unmatched views across the city. Finish the day with a visit to Smitwicks, Irelandās oldest brewery. A 45-minute tour of the brewery and a pint of the Ale start at 20 euros, with tickets best booked online in advance: https://www.smithwicksexperience.com/tickets
Back to Dublin
Weāll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7
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Know more about your day trip
Kilkenny has a strong food scene for a city of its size. Parliament Street and the lanes off High Street are home to a range of cafes, traditional pubs, and restaurants. The area around the Butter Slip laneway is particularly popular and is a good spot for lunch between sightseeing stops.
Kilkenny is around 70 miles (113 km) from Dublin and takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to drive each way. The full round trip with a 3-hour stop in the city is about 6 hours 15 minutes, making it one of the most convenient day trips from Dublin.
Kilkenny Castle is one of Ireland's most iconic landmarks and well worth a visit. A self-guided walk around the grounds is free, while guided tours of the interior take around 45 to 60 minutes. Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially during summer. The castle gardens are also open to the public and are a lovely spot for a short stroll.
Kilkenny is a very walkable city with a compact historic center. The cobbled streets and medieval laneways are charming but can be uneven, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. The medieval mile route between the castle and St. Canice's Cathedral is clearly signposted and takes about 20 to 30 minutes at a leisurely pace.
Entry to the grounds of St. Canice's Cathedral is free, but climbing the adjacent round tower carries a small admission fee. The tower dates from the 9th century and offers some of the best elevated views of Kilkenny city. Tickets can be purchased on-site, and the climb is suitable for reasonably fit visitors.
The Smithwicks Experience is a guided tour of Ireland's oldest operating brewery, set in the heart of Kilkenny. The 45-minute tour covers the history of brewing in the city and ends with a tasting. Tickets start at around EUR 20 per person and can be booked at smithwicksexperience.com. Advance booking is strongly recommended, as slots fill up quickly.
Kilkenny is enjoyable year-round, but late spring and summer offer the most pleasant conditions for exploring the city on foot. The Kilkenny Arts Festival in August draws large crowds and adds a vibrant atmosphere to the city. Spring and autumn are quieter and offer a more relaxed experience of the medieval streets.
Three hours in Kilkenny is enough to explore the highlights. Stroll the medieval mile along Parliament Street and High Street, admire Kilkenny Castle from the outside, visit St. Mary's Medieval Mile Museum, and climb the round tower at St. Canice's Cathedral for panoramic views. If time allows, finish with a visit to Smithwick's Experience, Ireland's oldest brewery.
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