paddywagon tour wicklow

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A Paddywagon Tours Review – Your Complete Guide

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When I was growing up in Dublin I used to see the Paddywagon Tours van parked up the road on my walk to school. I was so curious. What was this bright green bus with leprechauns painted on the side? Where did it go? What kind of people got to venture out in it?

Well, finally, I  can answer these questions! Get ready for an honest, thorough Paddywagon Tours review from this Irish native.

Paddywagon Tours – Dublin to Kilkenny Day Trip

What is the paddywagon.

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First things first, The Paddywagon itself resembles what I imagine the love-child of a bus and a leprechaun would look like. It is a bright green bus with orange curtains that shuttles tourists around Ireland showing them the highlights of this beautiful country.

This bus is captained by a jovial (well, that can be a tad hit or miss as you’ll find out later) Irish person with inside knowledge of all the best spots. Sounds cheesy? Well, simply put, it kind of is. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing!

What Kind Of Tours Are Paddywagon Tours?

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Paddywagon tours offers all kinds of trips to suit all budgets. Daytrips are available from Dublin , Cork, Limerick, Belfast, Killarney and even London and start at 20euro. There are also longer trips available ranging from 2 to 9 days.

So whether it’s a day on the Paddywagon you want, or a week, it’s no problem. From the legendary Cliffs of Moher , the breath-taking Giant’s Causeway or the incomparable Ring of Kerry, Paddywagon has you covered.

What Kind Of People?

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Naturally Paddywagon tours are aimed at tourists wanting to see the best of Ireland. But of course, locals are more than welcome. The Paddywagon tours are suitable for all age groups.

Though, due to the winding nature of a lot of the roads in Ireland, I would HIGHLY recommend some travel sickness tablets for children and any adults that usually suffer.

On my bus a toddler was sitting down the back of the bus (stupid move to begin with) across the aisle from us and, of course, once we hit the mountain roads the child threw up all over itself.

ALWAYS sit at the front if you have a child with you, the back of the bus is the worst place for anyone sensitive to motion sickness.

With regards to nationalities, it seemed to be a fairly good mix. Obviously there was a slight majority of Americans but that is to be expected.

They seemed to be having a great time and were by far the most responsive when the driver requested any sort of interaction from the group.

Myself and my friend (Sarah) were the only Irish people on the bus which made us somewhat of a novelty.

So Which Paddywagon Tour Did I Do?

Myself and Sarah spent a day on the Paddywagon for the Glendalough , Wicklow Mountains and Killkenny tour. At 25 euro for the day the trip is incredibly good value for money. You would spend much more on petrol if you did the drive by yourself. For me, this is a major selling point.

Glendalough is a historic place in Wicklow full of ancient graveyards, a round tower and some of the most beautiful views Ireland has to offer. The Wicklow mountains are full of bright yellow gorse and famous movie locations including THAT bridge from P.S I Love You.

* *READ MORE about the Wicklow Mountains National Park . ** 

Finally, Kilkenny is a beautiful town famed for it’s Hurling team. An old stone castle rises above the town overlooking everything. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy a meal by the river and wander around the little boutique shops. Paddywagon have all the best bits covered.

What’s The Paddywagon Schedule?

The Paddywagon has three different pick up spots in Dublin; The main office (Paddy’s Palace) on Lower Gardiner street, O’Connell Street just beside the Savoy cinema and Suffolk Street just beside the Molly Malone statue.

We got picked up from O’Connell street at about 9.10am on a Wednesday morning, unsure of what awaited us aboard the infamous Paddywagon.

This tour gives you 1hr and 30mins to explore Glendalough, a couple of short photo stops across the mountains and around 2hrs and 30mins in Kilkenny town.

Now, for me, this was perfectly adequate. I knew my way around Glendalough from family visits in the past. There was no need for me to spend 15mins trying to find the bathroom.

I didn’t stroll leisurely towards the lake and then suddenly realise I only had 30mins to get there, take pictures and then get back to the bus.

However, any regular tourist would have found 1hr and 30mins quite a rush in Glendalough. It simply isn’t enough time. 2hrs in Glendalough and 2hrs in Kilkenny would be a better solution.

That aside, the schedule is pretty comprehensive and includes a lot. I was impressed with the amount you could see in one day.

When the tour is finished you are dropped back at your choice of the 3 collection points I mentioned above. We got back into town about 7pm which is a bit later than scheduled, so be flexible and don’t make dinner reservations.

How was the Driver/Guide?

Now, this is the part of my tour that was really just a bit odd. Our driver, unfortunately, seemed to have woken up on the wrong side of the proverbial bed. His mood was more changeable than the weather, and in Ireland that really is saying something.

In fairness to him, he made a few decent jokes and he did attempt to get some interaction out of the bus. The Americans and myself were probably the only ones playing along for most of the trip. He also dazzled us with some wonderful tales of Irish history.

However, the real problem with our driver was that he seemed so fed up with us all before we had even gotten on the road. He was barking orders about making sure we were back on the bus at the right time, then explaining the consequences if we weren’t and generally treating us like primary school kids on a class trip.

GOD help you if you wanted to go to the bathroom between stops. He was NOT impressed with one lady that insisted we pull in at the next possible place so that she could avail of the facilities. It was all a bit ungraceful on his part. Honestly, I started rationing my water after that episode because I didn’t want to have to deal with his attitude if I needed to stop the bus!!

Now, I know drivers on these sorts of buses must get very fed up with late people and unscheduled stops, but in fairness, if you’re not going to put a bathroom on your bus it’s always going to be a possibility.

All I would say is, if you have a bladder problem but want to spend a day with Paddywagon tours then I recommend you let the driver know before you get on the bus.

Then there are the obvious tips like making sure you go to the bathroom before you get on the bus, and at every stop, as well as limiting your fluid intake on the bus.

Hopefully you get a nicer driver than we did, but no guarantees!

Any Last Words?

Ok, so that’s all folks, pretty much! My final recommendation before we come to the end of my Paddywagon Tour review would be to make sure that you bring plenty of snacks for the bus and a raincoat/umbrella just in case the Irish weather kicks in.

Oh and don’t let my qualms about the driver put you off. The Paddywagon employs lots of different drivers and the odds are you’ll get a different one from the gentleman (questionable) I had. Plus, even if you did have the same driver as me, maybe I just caught him on an off day. Everyone has bad days!

Soooo grab your best green clothes, your leprechaun catching nets and your Guinness and join one of the Paddywagon tours!

** BOOK NOW – you can book your tour direct with Paddywagon Tours on their website .**

** Paddywagon provided me with a complimentary tour. However, the opinion expressed in this post is, as always, my own.

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Ack… poor Freddie. I’m glad you otherwise enjoyed your trip to Glendalough and Killkenny! I bet it was v. busy!!!!

Did I mention his name??? Ah well, everyone has off days! I felt more sorry for the woman that needed to pee. I did have a really good trip otherwise though. Glendalough was PACKED!

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7 BEST Wicklow Mountains Tours For Your Irish Adventure (2024)

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Planning your Irish itinerary and looking for some of the best tours of the Wicklow Mountains? Keep reading for my top picks (as a former local!). 

I first landed in the Wicklow Mountains when I moved to Ireland in August of 2020. Set in County Wicklow, the Wicklow Mountains are home to some of the best hikes in the country, along with a stretch of coastline and plenty of adorable towns to visit. The county is also known as the Garden of Ireland, due to its incredible scenery. 

Some of the top things to see in the Wicklow Mountains include Glendalough, a lake set in the mountains and nearby monastic ruins, and the Sally Gap, a beautiful road through a mountain pass. I also love Powerscourt and Victor’s Way, two beautiful and interesting gardens in Wicklow. Finally, the seaside city of Bray and town of Greystones are well worth a stop, or you can hike the cliff walk that connects them and looks out over the Irish Sea. 

The biggest decision you’ll make is deciding between a self-guided and pre-arranged tour. If you can, I would suggest that you take a self-guided trip to Wicklow instead of joining a tour group. If this isn’t an option for you, or if you just want the experience of seeing the area with a guide, there are some great tours of the Wicklow Mountains to consider. Keep reading for my top picks!

Table of Contents Top 7 Wicklow Mountains Tours Day Tours Half-Day Tours Thru-Hiking Multi-Day Tours FAQs Conclusion

Top 7 Wicklow Mountains Tours

There are several ways to tour the Wicklow Mountains, from partial day trips to multi-day hikes along the Wicklow Way. Here’s my list of the top tours of the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. 

Day Tours to the Wicklow Mountains

For travelers with a full day to experience the Wicklow Mountains, there are several great options. First, you’ll need to decide between a self-guided tour and one that is guided. Should you decide to join a guided tour, there are a few fabulous options, each with advantages and omissions in the itinerary. 

From a self-guided visit to a tour with a sheepdog demonstration, here are my top picks for full day trips to Wicklow from Dublin. 

1. Self-Guided Tour of the Wicklow Mountains 

This approach is more time intensive to plan and execute, but I would strongly recommend that you consider a self-guided tour when visiting Wicklow . By creating your own itinerary, you can be sure to include all of the stops that are important to you, and you’ll have the luxury of seeing places further off of the beaten path. 

One of my first ever posts was a guide to visiting Glendalough on a day trip from Dublin . I suggest that you include stops at Glendalough (and hike around it, if you’re a hiker), visit a garden, and spend some time in the seaside city of Bray.   

This requires a car and some confidence navigating the Irish roads. If you’re unable to rent a car , or if you’re not comfortable driving in Ireland, a guided tour is your best option for seeing the Wicklow Mountains. 

2. Wicklow Mountains, Avoca, and a Guided Tour of Glendalough

Wild Wicklow Tours offers the most time exploring Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains, largely because, unlike other tours on this list, the itinerary leaves out the medieval city of Kilkenny. Instead, you’ll spend that time more leisurely meandering through the countryside. You can even stop at Lynam’s Pub in Wicklow for lunch, which is said to be Enya’s brother’s local pub. 

Notably, this tour leaves enough time for you to hike up to see the Upper Lake at Glendalough (though you still won’t have time to finish the loop). The hike is completely optional, you can also just hang out in town or stroll around the monastery if you’re not up for the climb or the weather is inhospitable. 

Past travelers loved the tour guides, who are known to include interesting tidbits about Irish culture and history, as well as entertaining songs and stories. The tour ends with a Jameson whiskey tasting, which many said was the best part of the experience for them. 

Check Prices and Book Your Spot: Wild Wicklow Day Tour

3. Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, and Kilkenny Tour

Collins Day Tours hosts this adventure into the Wicklow Mountains, and it is one of the most beloved tours by travelers. This tour boasts a well-rounded itinerary, with many of the major sites and a little something for everyone. 

Like the previous tour, you’ll have the chance to hike to the top of the Upper Lake at Glendalough to see the lake from above. 

You’ll also have the chance to see Kilkenny, a medieval city known for having narrow lanes and cobblestone streets. The tour includes a guided tour of the city, including many of the major sites. One of the highlights in the city is Kilkenny Castle , a large castle that has been tastefully restored and is available to tour. 

Note: Entry to Kilkenny Castle is not included. You can purchase tickets directly from the castle if you’d like to see it. Currently, adult tickets are €8. 

Previous guests loved the drivers on their tours, who they said were entertaining and made them feel safe on the Irish roads. Reviewers also noted that both stops allowed enough time to really explore, so you’ll have a chance to really see both Glendalough and Kilkenny. 

Check Prices and Book Your Spot: Collins Day Tour

4. Wicklow Mountains and Sheepdog Show

See Glendalough, filming locations for “P.S. I Love You” and “Braveheart” and explore the cobbled streets of Kilkenny on this day tour from Finn McCools Tours . As a bonus, this tour includes a live sheepdog demonstration. 

If you’ve never seen working sheep dogs or cattle dogs, it’s more interesting than you might think. The dogs are incredibly agile and responsive to their handlers. I first saw a working sheepdog at the Stock Show in Denver , and the experience has stuck with me. Likewise, other travelers have remarked that they loved the demonstration included as part of this tour. 

Plus, Ireland is known for its sheep – and what better way to see them?

You’ll have time to hike to the Upper Lake , if desired, but previous guests have reported that the timing is tight. Be prepared to hustle a bit to make the return time to your bus. Bring your own lunch to make the most of your time in Kilkenny. 

Like the Collins Day Tour, the Finn McCools Tour includes stops at Glendalough and Kilkenny, with an additional sheepdog demonstration before you head back to Dublin. The additional stop is made possible because, at 10.5 hours long, the tour is 90 minutes longer than the Collins Day Tour.

Check Prices and Book Your Spot: Finn McCool’s Day Tour

Half Day Tours from Dublin

Travelers who are short on time and want to get out of the city can consider a half day tour, though the experience will inevitably feel a bit rushed. These are very quick outings that include a limited number of key stops in Wicklow, but it’s a way to see some of the beautiful Wicklow Mountains without renting a car. 

Make sure you manage your expectations before you book. There’s a limit to how much you’ll be able to see on a half day tour because the drive to Glendalough from Dublin is over an hour each way. If you’re not pressed for time, I would suggest that you instead spend a full day exploring the Wicklow Mountains and surrounding areas. 

5. Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains Morning Tour

For those who are really short on time and want to get out into the countryside, the half-day tour from Paddywagon Tours is a good option. This tour is primarily a driving tour, with views of Sugarloaf Mountain, a stop at Glendalough to walk around, and another quick stop in the mountains. 

You will not have time to hike to the Upper Lake , and the stops will probably feel a bit rushed. The itinerary is ambitious for five hours, as it covers a lot of the same ground as the full day tours (9+ hours each). 

This tour is more about seeing the landscapes from the bus, looking around, and getting a quick feel for the Wicklow Mountains. You’ll probably feel like you need to return another time to see it more fully (and I hope you do!). Still, sometimes you only have half a day to work with!

Check Prices and Book Your Spot: Paddywagon Half Day Tour

Thru-Hike the Wicklow Way

I’ve hiked small stretches of the Wicklow Way, but I’ve never finished the full trail – but I hope to someday! Instead, I opted to hike about half of the West Highland Way in Scotland with a friend in April of 2023. Both trails can be accomplished as backpacking routes or lodge-to-lodge hikes, with accompanying baggage transfer services if desired. 

If you’d like to truly experience the Wicklow Mountains , consider thru-hiking them. The full trail takes about a week and covers about 79 miles (127 kilometers), but it’s possible to do smaller portions if you have less time. The season for hiking the Wicklow Way typically runs from March to October; it’s typically not recommended as a winter activity in Ireland . 

6. Thru-Hiking Package

The Wicklow Way is a thru-hiking trail through the Wicklow Mountains that starts in Marlay Park in the Dublin suburbs and ends in Clonegal in County Carlow. The trail is somewhat similar to the West Highland Way in Scotland, which starts in Milngavie and ends in Fort William.

You can certainly complete the trail (or a portion thereof) on your own; Ireland is generally a very safe place to travel and has mild weather. However, if you’d like to complete the trail as a lodge-to-lodge, you’ll need to arrange your travel with a company. 

Hillwalk Tours provides a thru-hiking service for the Wicklow Way that includes your accommodation in local guesthouses, breakfast each morning, luggage transfer services, and navigation assistance. Given the high costs of accommodations in Wicklow during the high season, their prices are pretty reasonable for summer travelers. 

Check Prices and Book: Wicklow Way Thru-Hiking with Hillwalk Tours

Multi-Day Tours Including the Wicklow Mountains

I wanted to include an option for a multi-day trip that includes Wicklow, in case you’re planning your itinerary and want to have a few days completely pre-planned and pre-arranged. 

7. 3 Day Tour: 3-Day Dingle, Killarney & the Wild Atlantic Way

The best multi-day tour including the Wicklow Mountains is run by Rabbie’s Small Group Tours Ireland and it includes stops at Glendalough and Dingle, two of my absolute favorite spots in Ireland. 

You’ll start the tour in Glendalough, where you’ll get a chance to see the lake and spend a little time at the ruins. Then, you’ll finish the drive to Dingle, my favorite peninsula along the Wild Atlantic Way. Over the next two days, you’ll stay in Dingle Town and explore County Kerry. 

This tour includes stops around the Dingle Peninsula, a visit to Killarney National Park, and a stop at the Rock of Cashel. Although I’d still personally recommend exploring Ireland on your own or as a road trip, this tour has a thoughtful itinerary and would be a great alternative. 

Note that meals and refreshments are not included, aside from the breakfast included with your B&B accommodation. 

Check Prices and Book Your Spot: Rabbie’s Small Group 3-Day Tour 

FAQs: Wicklow Mountains Tours

Considering some of the top tours in the Wicklow Mountains and have lingering questions? Here are the answers to some of the top queries from other travelers. 

Is Kilkenny worth visiting? 

Many of the day trips to Wicklow include stops at the medieval city of Kilkenny. I’ve never been to Kilkenny, but I would recommend that you make the decision based on the other places you’ll visit in Ireland. If you’re on a longer trip and will be visiting Galway , Cork , or Limerick , there’s really no need to make time for Kilkenny. 

However, if you’re on a short trip and only visiting Dublin and Wicklow , I would consider opting for a tour that includes Kilkenny so you get to see a smaller Irish city. 

Are Wicklow Mountains worth visiting?

Yes, the Wicklow Mountains are absolutely worth seeing if you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or walking. On a guided tour, you can see a few select spots in the Wicklow Mountains, including Glendalough. If you instead opt for a self-guided tour of the area, you can include stops like Powerscourt Gardens and the cliff walk from Bray to Greystones. 

If spending time outdoors really isn’t your thing, you might skip the Wicklow Mountains on your trip to Ireland. 

How do I get to the Wicklow Mountains?

The best way to visit the Wicklow Mountains is to drive down from Dublin. Taking the motorway, the drive takes a little over an hour from central Dublin. Alternatively, you can take a tour that will leave from Dublin and take you through the mountains – and sometimes also the medieval city of Kilkenny – before returning you to Temple Bar. 

I would not recommend relying on public transit to reach the Wicklow Mountains from Dublin. 

Why do tourists go to Glendalough?

Tourists go to Glendalough because it’s a beautiful lake in the Wicklow Mountains, and it’s just a few minutes down the road from the monastery of the same name. You can hike and walk in the Glendalough area, as well as explore the ruins of the nearby monastery. The town of Glendalough is quaint but very small, so you only need a few minutes to see it. 

Why is Wicklow famous?

Wicklow is famous for being the Garden of Ireland, with its vast green spaces. It’s also known for being the filming location for a number of movies and television shows, as well as home to a surprisingly large number of celebrities . Bono, Hozier, Sinéad O’Connor, Katie McGrath, and Daniel Day-Lewis are all from Wicklow or have called the county home at some point. 

Conclusion: Wicklow Mountains Tours

Set just south of Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains are one of my favorite places to visit in Ireland. You can hike, sit by the sea, enjoy some great restaurants, and spend some time just enjoying nature while you’re visiting the Garden of Ireland. Plus, I’m a firm believer that it’s always a good idea to get into the countryside when visiting Ireland . 

Having lived in the area for over a year, I really prefer to go at my own pace and see the things that are most important to me. For that reason, I’d suggest that you plan a self-guided visit to Wicklow, if possible. Of course, not every traveler can drive or rent a car, so a pre-arranged tour is the perfect alternative. 

A final tip: be sure to dress warmly for Wicklow, no matter when you decide to visit. It can be chilly at Glendalough year round, so pack a sweater even in the summer. Happy travels!

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Half day tour to Glendalough/Wicklow - Paddywagon Tours

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Half day tour to Glendalough/Wicklow

Profesional orgaznization, enough time to visit the sites. Our driver Kieran made not only the perfect guide but as well great entertainer. We sung Irish songs on the bus, and had a lot of laugh. Regarding te sites - if you look for peaceful trekking around the lakes with only birds nad animals around you, this is a trip for you. It was great half day escape from the city.

I travelled to giantcause way from belfast with paddywagon, it was really a wonderful trip very well managed and fun filled. credit goes to chieftan who kept us well entertained..a real perfomer I would say. He made us to learn an irish song RATLLING BOG..which was very funny and still singing.... cheers

I just started posting reviews on TripAdvisor not too long ago and thought I should share my experience with the company from back in November 2015. After reading the reviews on this company, I was very excited to book a bus tour with them. I booked a tour in late October 2015 and was contacted almost two weeks later via email by the Cork office informing me that the tour I booked was going to be cancelled because they did not update their system to follow their winter schedule. That was fine. They offered to honor our purchase towards another tour, but none of the other tours fit into our time in Ireland since we already had all of the other days and tours planned out for the week. So they offered us a full refund. I was told that the refund request has been submitted and would take a week to process back in November. I waited the week and didn't receive a refund, so I waited another week and still nothing. I spent the next month and a half trying to contact them about my refund but they stopped replying. To this day I still did not receive a refund from my bus tour I was cancelled on and don't think I ever will. I guess on the bright side, I earned some points towards my credit card. I know my post is about half a year late, but hopefully this does not happen to anyone else booking in the future. Although my experience with this company has been terrible, I'm sure others who have had the chance to tour with them have had a really good time.

We took a trip out of Killarney to Inch Beach along the Slea Head Rd and to Dingle. Our guide Michael hit a home run with this tour. He knew just where to stop and every minute of the tour was breathtakingly beautiful. The bus picked us up in Killarney @ 11:00 am which was nice because we didn't have to rush around early in the am. We got back around 5:00. I would highly recommend this tour.

We booked a one day tour for the cliffs of Moher. Scheduled in advance through our hotel. All started well until the first bus, 15 minutes after starting broke down. We wsited for an hour for replacement bus. The breakdown was not the issue, thst cassn happy anywhere. The replacement bus looked like something they pulled out of a junk yard. Torn seats, filthy windows and a moldy smell. When we voiced our concerns in Limerick (where we had the tour) and paid cash. We showed the photos we took abd they refused any refund and referred us to Paddy Wagon Headquarters in Dublin, stating "this company has been under investigation for major issues, including safety issues and I am not allowed to refund any money here"...... We went to Dublin Headquarters which was in a hostel that resembled our 2nd bus. A condescending employee said, we don't refund anything ever. You have to send us an email along with your photos and we will review, you'lI have to report it in Limerick" I said, I am standing in front of you now, I just showed you the photos. Limerick sent us to you. We can do this one of two ways. You can provide a refund or I will share my story all over social meda. Since I am writing this here, you, my fellow travelers know how it ended. Do NOT BOOK any tour through this unprofessional ethically challenged company. The first bus had no air in its brakes and the 2nd resembled a junk salvaged from a grave.

I did the 2 day South Tour. The stops were beautiful and it was great to get out of the city and see other parts of Ireland in a convenient way. However, not sure I would use Paddywagon again. The first day, I had a great guide in Paul. He was kind, knowledgeable and wanted to ensure we had the best time possible. I thought he did the best giving us information and storytelling and I ended up having 2 other tour guides the next day who weren't as good. They don't tell you it'll be broken up and you'll have to take different buses and guides as you go over multiple days. I get it on their part but it made my trip not as relaxing or enjoyable and I wish they'd been upfront with the itinerary. I was scared I'd miss the bus I needed to change over to back to Dublin and the guide wasn't forthcoming with what I needed to do. I had to ask. Also, our bus broke down on the way from Cork to the Cliffs of Moher. Our driver handled it pretty well but it definitely made the tour less fun and delayed us a bit, which was frustrating since it was the last full day I had to spend in Ireland.

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KILKENNY AND WICKLOW DAY TRIP FROM DUBLIN (PADDYWAGON TOURS)

As my sisters and I were planning our trip in Ireland, we decided we wanted to end our trip with two nights in Dublin so we didn’t have to worry about traveling from afar with our luggage to the Dublin airport when it was time to fly home. We decided to use one of those days to take a day trip from Dublin so we could at least still see some surrounding sites before heading home. We chose to take the Kilkenny and Wicklow day tour from Dublin using Paddywagon Tours . Overall, we enjoyed all the sites on our tour.

The tour bus picked us up at a designated pick-up spot just a few blocks away from our hotel. We were the first ones on board so we had to spend some time as the bus went to a couple more pick-up spots. The bus only partially filled up so we had ample space to spread out during the drive. There was supposedly a wifi network on the bus, but every time we tried it, it didn’t work so don’t rely on that if you need internet access.

Our journey started south into the beautiful countryside of the Wicklow mountains as we made our way towards Glendalough . At Glendalough, we explored monastic city ruins known for the large St. Kevin’s Cross, which is 8 feet tall with the cross at 3 feet in width. It is also know for its round tower from the 10th century and the Glendalough Cathedral built by St. Kevin in the 6th century. This is also apparently where the movie Braveheart filmed its wedding scenes. It was a rainy morning when we arrived, which made for a perfect mood as we walked through the various ruins and cemetery.

We hiked on from the ruins to the Glendalough Upper Lake , which was about a 20-minute leisurely walk through woods and river banks to the lake. The first lakeshore provides a magnificent backdrop of the lake and mountain beauty surrounding it. We also wanted to check out the Poulanass Waterfalls before heading back so we had to run up those for a quick look before turning back with 20 minutes to spare to make it in time for our bus departure.

As we drove on through the Wicklow Mountains , our bus driver pointed out the bridge used in the movie P.S. I Love You…a movie that I and my sisters have never seen, but apparently of interest to many people. We traveled over the Wicklow Gap with panoramic views of the mountainous landscape. It was a beautiful drive, although we didn’t get to make any stops during this portion of the journey. So it was kind of hard to get any good photos of the landscape, but that wasn’t a priority for us on this tour. If you are hoping to stop in Wicklow Mountains, then it’d be better to go with a different tour or on your own.

Next destination was Kilkenny, the medieval capital of Ireland in the 11th century. We first explored the  Kilkenny Castle from the 1100s, which is right next to where the bus dropped us off. Admission to the castle is additional and not part of the bus tour. My favorite part about exploring the castle was near the end when we entered the Picture Gallery . This grand room had a very intricate pitched ceiling featuring colorful illustrations by John Hungerford Pollen in the 1800s. I also liked the illustrations of animals and and bird heads on the cross beams. As we were pressed for time, we chose to eat a small lunch at the cafe by the interior castle exit. then wandered through the medieval streets of Kilkenny. We walked to the grand 19th century St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral , and a few blocks further to the beautiful Black Abbey from the 14th century. There were a few other medieval sites that were further away that we didn’t have time to see since we had to make it back to our bus before it departed. I wouldn’t have minded spending a night in Kilkenny to see all the sites.

We then made our return to Dublin. Unfortunately, there was a couple who didn’t make it back to the bus on time and we waited for a long time before we departed, but they never showed up. The bus driver even tried to call them but no response. So we left, and we found out later that the couple had gotten confused on the time they were supposed to return and came an hour later. We had noticed others had been confused on the time too since we had some other fellow tourists ask us directly what time the bus driver said to come back when we initially left the bus. It can see how it was confusing for some because the driver said to “return 5 to 4” instead of just saying 3:55 p.m. or 4 p.m. So that’s why the couple thought he said to return at 5 p.m. I recommend getting a clear answer from the bus driver if you’re confused or unsure, and you could ask them to write the time down so there is no misunderstanding.

Overall, it was a very nice day tour from Dublin to see some beautiful landscapes and medieval sites. It was a stress-free and easy way to end our trip in Ireland. Book your tour with Paddywagon Tours.

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Great experience

The driver was the best. A great representative for your company and for Irish tourism. The pace was just right and suited the diverse age groups on board.

Lovely trip through the Wicklow Mountains to the 5th century monastic site of St Kevin - Glendalough. I'd been there 3 times before but it's always worth a return trip. We got to spend 2 hours at the site and had a lovely scone and coffee at a nearby kiosk. Our driver/guide was Brian who was very knowledgeable and friendly.

Richard O’Brien was a fabulous driver and an even better guide.Totally entertaining. He made our day so ent. We would definitely utilize Paddywagon tours again especially if Richard is the guide.

My mother in law had a medical emergency the morning of this tour, and we had manage that, instead of attend this tour - and this company - Paddywagon Tours - refused any amount of refund, much less kindness, so I cannot recommend them.

Our current bus driver and excursion guide of the bus with the number 191-KY-2119 seems to have a very good knowledge of the history of Ireland and also to be a very good driver! Unfortunately, your employee damages your company with a little too much arrogance and self-love! Every guest who books their trips has the same right as everyone else, even if he is not fully proficient in the English language. Therefore, if your bus driver wants to pass on his knowledge to his guests, which must also be mentioned laudably, then it would also be appropriate not to scream through the microphone like with a machine gun without heels and breaks! If you as a guest want to translate the interpretations of the bus driver in parallel with your accompanying friends, you will be insulted by this one of your employees, in front of all fellow travellers as a troublemaker in such a condescending and dignified way that you have regretted having booked this trip at all and getting on this bus. Even the information to your employee that you are talking at the same time as your machine gun presentation, translating, finds neither respect nor understanding with him! But understanding and respect is what he demands exclusively for himself. Even after arrival when trying to have a clarifying conversation with your employee, it was not possible! His self-arrogance did not allow him to fully listen to our words, although we even praised him. We have not yet experienced such a disrespect for guests in our lives and our travels! We were not in Dublin for the first time and we will not visit the city for the last time. However, we will definitely not contact their company again as long as they operate such a customer-unfriendly corporate strategy. Fam. S. + D. from Germany

This was my first trip to Ireland and I wanted to get as much done as possible so l picked the 6 day trip. The tour was really excellent and well paced. I had booked the Bed and Breakfast option and for my the 2 night in Northern Ireland, I was given the lbis in Belfast and the Holiday Inn Express in Derry but there was some mess up in Derry as the Holiday Inn was fully booked. The accomodation in Ireland were all Bed and Breakfast with no lifts inside. The tour company later rebooked us at a 4 star hotel across the river in Derry when the Holiday Inn messed up the booking. Its in times like these that you really appreciate a good and reliable tour company. Kudos to Paddywagon for handling the situation very well and being generous. The rooms booked for the entire tour were excellent. One cannot expect the Four Seasons standard and I thought the stay at most of the accomodation pretty good. The Bed and Breakfast option in Galway was the lousiest in my opinion but it was still acceptable. The tour was extremely well paced and I think it covered all the major sights in Ireland. I read some negative comments about the day tours being rushed. What fo you expect if the destinations you want to visit are hundreds of kilometers away? Do the right thing and do a leisurely 6 tour like I did. I must give credit to the guide and bus driver Danny with whom we toured with for 6 days. I really enjoyed this trip a lot. I was worried about some of the negative reviews about Paddywagon but after day 1, I was extremely confident I would truely enjoy Ireland. Your passion for Ireland's history and culture truly brought our trip to life! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm, making every moment of our tour memorable and insightful. I truely appreciate your effort to be on time, punctual, generous buying cakes, providing chocolates, etc. I hope your boss reads this review and gives you the due credit you deserve Danny. Best wishes again and God bless.

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The Kilkenny Tour by Paddywagon Tours

With tours going to all of Ireland's major attractions Paddywagon Tours is a great way to see the Emerald Isle. Paddywagon offers day tours and multiday tours led by 100% Irish guides who will explain the history and myths of the region.

Paddywagon offers tours from Dublin, Cork, Belfast, and Limerick and with the all-Ireland network of hostels, Paddywagon also offers places to stay while you travel! There is also an option to upgrade to a private B&B on the tours. Paddywagon is one of the only companies that operates all year around, so whenever you’re in Ireland Paddywagon has a tour for you! Paddywagon offers a free airport shuttle service and free daily walking tours available to all their guests. Paddywagon Tours is an exciting way to see Ireland, with songs and stories, laughter and folklore and a great journey to remember forever! They are perfect for the young and the young at heart! Everybody is welcome on Paddywagon Tours!

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