DUBLIN – GLENDALOUGH, WICKLOW, AND KILKENNY DAY TOUR

Dublin – Glendalough, Wicklow & Kilkenny

Pickup Location – Ulster Bank Bus Stop, Dame Street / College Green

Glendalough

Glendalough, also known as the city of seven churches, was enclosed within a circular wall. The arch is built with Roman style columns meaning the stones were cut specifically to scale and they held themselves up without the need for mortar. If even one of the stones were to be removed the entire structure would collapse.

The very picturesque Gateway has the distinction of being Ireland’s only surviving example of a medieval gateway to an early monastic city. The structure was originally 2-storied with 2 fine granite arches.

Glendalough is home to one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. This early Christian monastic settlement was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th-centure and from this developed the “Monastic City”.

Most of the buildings that survive today date from the 10th through 12th-centuries. Despite attacks by Vikings over the years, Glendalough thrived as one of Ireland’s great ecclesiastical foundations and schools of learning until the Normans destroyed the monastery in 1214AD and the dioceses of Glendalough and Dublin were united.

Close to the monastic city is the ‘Interactive Center‘. The Center features an audio visual and has a model of the monastic site on display. You will be welcomed by friendly and knowledgeable staff where all of you questions will be answered.

In this area is the Pulaphuca Reservoir and is Ireland’s largest man-made reservoir. It is one of two major sources of Dublin’s water supply. The dam generates electricity while the water supplies part of Dublin.

Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is the largest of the seven churches in Glendalough. Its building was done through several phases from the 10th-century to the early 13th-century. Large mica schist stones, which form the foundation up to the height if the west doorway, were used from an earlier church.

The earliest part of the nave with antae for supporting the wooden roof. The chancel, sacristy, and north door were added in the late 12th and 13th-centuries. The north doorway to the nave also dates from this period. Inside there is a wall cupboard, a stone font, many grave slabs and the remains of a decorated arch. St Kevin’s Church is on the outskirts of Tinahely.

Kilkenny

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 as you explore all the main attractions and landmarks.

After the walking tour, you will have a further 1 hour 45 minutes to explore Kilkenny at your own leisure. You may choose to visit the famous 12th-century Kilkenny Castle.

Kilkenny Castle ( Irish: Caisleán Chill Chainnigh)

Built in the 12th-century, the castle was the principal seat of the Butlers, earls, marquesses and dukes of Ormond for almost 600 years.

The Castle was a symbol of the Norman occupation and in its original 13th-century condition it would have formed an important element of the defenses of the town with 4 large circular corner towers and a massive ditch, part of which may be seen today on the Parade.

It is set in an extensive parkland and the central block includes a library, drawing room, nursery and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendor. The magnificent Picture Gallery is situated in the east wind of the Castle. This stunning space dates from the 19th-century and was built primarily to house the Butler Family’s fine collection of paintings.

Smithwick’s Brewary Tour in the midieval city of Kilkenny Wicklow Mountains

After lunch we travel through the county of Carlow into the Wild and Rugged Wicklow Mountains. Continuing over the mountains as part of your Glendalough day tour, we arrive at the world famous heritage site of Glendalough .

Border Colie Sheep Dog

You will have the opportunity to participate in and watch the incredible experience of seeing the Shepard at work with his best friend, the Border Colie Sheep Dog.

“P.S. I Love You”

“P.S. I Love You“,  the romantic drama, released by Warner Bros. Pictures and directed by Richard LaGravenese,  stared actors such as Gerard Butler, Hilary Swank, Lisa Kudrow, Gena Gershon, James Marsters, Harry Connick, Jr. and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, was partly filmed in Wicklow. The film was shot on location in Wicklow and the music scenes that were set in a local Wicklow pub were filmed in Whelan’s (a music venue) in Dublin.

You will fall in love with this place!