Day trip · County Kilkenny
The best Kilkenny Castle day trips from Dublin
Kilkenny Castle, the Medieval Mile, Smithwick’s and Glendalough on the way: here is how to spend a day in Kilkenny, with honest advice on castle entry being extra, your time in Kilkenny on a combo tour, and what Smithwick’s really shows.
See our 6 picks
Kilkenny Castle is an easy day trip from Dublin: tours start at €38, and castle entry costs €8 extra. The train from Dublin Heuston takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. The castle is closed from 2 November 2026 at 13:00 to 5 November at 09:30 for filming, but the park stays open.
Our 6 picks for Kilkenny
Three day tours from Dublin that also stop at Glendalough, then three tours in Kilkenny itself for train travellers. None of them includes entry to the castle rooms.
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from €45 per person Our top pick 9 hours 4.7 (9,644) reviews on GetYourGuide
Wicklow, Glendalough and Kilkenny with walking tours
Guides walk you round Glendalough and then Kilkenny. You get free time for lunch in Kilkenny, maybe a picnic on the castle grounds. Entry to Kilkenny Castle is extra. You meet at the Gresham hotel on O’Connell Street.
Best for First-timers who want a guided walk in Kilkenny
Check availability: Wicklow, Glendalough and Kilkenny with walking tours on GetYourGuide - from €38 per person
From €38
Kilkenny Castle day
10 h 30 min 4.8 (4,069) reviews on GetYourGuide
Kilkenny, Wicklow and Glendalough with a sheepdog show
You explore Kilkenny at your own pace after a sheepdog show and a stop at Glendalough. Glendalough entry is included; Kilkenny Castle entry is extra. You meet at the Hugh Lane Gallery on Parnell Square.
Best for Anyone watching the price
Check availability: Kilkenny, Wicklow and Glendalough with a sheepdog show on GetYourGuide - from €40 per person
10.5 hours
Kilkenny and Glendalough
10 h 30 min 4.3 (125) reviews on GetYourGuide
Wicklow, Kilkenny and Glendalough with free walks
You get optional free walking tours in Kilkenny and Glendalough. The day runs 10.5 hours. The meeting point depends on the option you pick.
Best for Visitors who want guided walks in both places
Check availability: Wicklow, Kilkenny and Glendalough with free walks on GetYourGuide -
from €15 per person 2 hours 4.9 (232) reviews on GetYourGuide
Kilkenny walking tour of the Medieval Mile
A 2-hour walk along the Medieval Mile with a guide born and raised in Kilkenny. Groups are no more than 15 people. There are steps on the route. You meet on Rose Inn Street.
Best for Train travellers who want a guided start
Check availability: Kilkenny walking tour of the Medieval Mile on GetYourGuide -
from €20 per person 2 hours 4.9 (50) reviews on GetYourGuide
Kilkenny walk with a local historian
A 2-hour walk with a certified local historian, in the morning, afternoon or evening. It covers the outside of Kilkenny Castle and its gardens, not the rooms inside. You meet on Dean Street.
Best for History fans who want a small group
Check availability: Kilkenny walk with a local historian on GetYourGuide - from €23 per person
1 hour
Brewery visit
1 hour 4.6 (251) reviews on GetYourGuide
Smithwick’s Experience in Kilkenny
A 1-hour guided visit about the monks who started brewing here and the Smithwick family. You finish with a pint or a soft drink in the bar. The listing does not say you see beer being brewed.
Best for Beer fans with an hour to spare
Check availability: Smithwick’s Experience in Kilkenny on GetYourGuide
Kilkenny tours compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Starts in | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wicklow, Glendalough and Kilkenny with walking tours | €45 per person | 9 hours | Dublin | First-timers who want a guided walk in Kilkenny | The most-booked Kilkenny day, with over 9,600 reviews. |
| Kilkenny, Wicklow and Glendalough with a sheepdog show | €38 per person | 10 h 30 min | Dublin | Anyone watching the price | The lowest price for a Kilkenny day from Dublin. |
| Wicklow, Kilkenny and Glendalough with free walks | €40 per person | 10 h 30 min | Dublin | Visitors who want guided walks in both places | A low-price day with walks in both places. |
| Kilkenny walking tour of the Medieval Mile | €15 per person | 2 hours | Kilkenny (Rose Inn Street) | Train travellers who want a guided start | The most-reviewed tour in Kilkenny itself, and the lowest price. |
| Kilkenny walk with a local historian | €20 per person | 2 hours | Kilkenny (Dean Street) | History fans who want a small group | Top-rated, with a historian as your guide. |
| Smithwick’s Experience in Kilkenny | €23 per person | 1 hour | Kilkenny (Parliament Street) | Beer fans with an hour to spare | The one brewery visit in Kilkenny on our list. |
Wicklow, Glendalough and Kilkenny with walking tours
€45 per person9 hours 4.7 (9,644)
Details
- Starts in
- Dublin
- Who it suits
- First-timers who want a guided walk in Kilkenny
- Why we picked it
- The most-booked Kilkenny day, with over 9,600 reviews.
Kilkenny, Wicklow and Glendalough with a sheepdog show
€38 per person10 h 30 min 4.8 (4,069)
Details
- Starts in
- Dublin
- Who it suits
- Anyone watching the price
- Why we picked it
- The lowest price for a Kilkenny day from Dublin.
Wicklow, Kilkenny and Glendalough with free walks
€40 per person10 h 30 min 4.3 (125)
Details
- Starts in
- Dublin
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want guided walks in both places
- Why we picked it
- A low-price day with walks in both places.
Kilkenny walking tour of the Medieval Mile
€15 per person2 hours 4.9 (232)
Details
- Starts in
- Kilkenny (Rose Inn Street)
- Who it suits
- Train travellers who want a guided start
- Why we picked it
- The most-reviewed tour in Kilkenny itself, and the lowest price.
Kilkenny walk with a local historian
€20 per person2 hours 4.9 (50)
Details
- Starts in
- Kilkenny (Dean Street)
- Who it suits
- History fans who want a small group
- Why we picked it
- Top-rated, with a historian as your guide.
Smithwick’s Experience in Kilkenny
€23 per person1 hour 4.6 (251)
Details
- Starts in
- Kilkenny (Parliament Street)
- Who it suits
- Beer fans with an hour to spare
- Why we picked it
- The one brewery visit in Kilkenny on our list.
- Small group: Kilkenny walking tour of the Medieval Mile takes up to 15 people.
- None of the 6 includes hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point.
- All 6 offer free cancellation.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026. Prices are “from” prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Kilkenny day trip tours from Dublin
Every Kilkenny day trip tour from Dublin on our list also stops at Glendalough. The days run 9 to 10.5 hours, with free time in Kilkenny for lunch and a walk.
None of them includes entry to Kilkenny Castle. If you want to see inside, budget €8 and ask your guide how long you have.
The same tours stop at Glendalough; see our Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains day trip from Dublin. Other daily tours from Dublin go west or north.
Dublin to Kilkenny: train, tour or car
The train is the easiest way to spend a full day in Kilkenny on your own. There are 11 trains a day from Dublin Heuston, Monday to Saturday, and about 5 on Sunday. The first leaves at 07:20, and most take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
The train Dublin to Kilkenny stops at Kilkenny MacDonagh station. The castle is a walk from there. In town, a 2-hour walking tour is a good start.
With a car you can stop at Glendalough on the way.
Kilkenny Castle: hours, tickets and the November closure
Kilkenny Castle is open all year. From April to September it opens 09:15 to 17:30, with last entry at 17:00. From October to March it opens 09:30 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30.
The castle is closed from Monday 2 November 2026 at 13:00 until Thursday 5 November at 09:30 for filming. The park stays open. In November, the park opens 09:00 to 17:00.
- Adult
- €8
- Senior or group
- €6
- Child or student
- €4
- Family
- €20
A guided option in summer costs €12 for adults.
Tips before you book a Kilkenny day trip
Budget for castle entry
No pick includes the castle rooms. Self-guided entry costs €8 for adults, and the historian walk covers only the outside.
Mind the November closure
The castle is closed from 2 November 2026 at 13:00 to 5 November at 09:30 for filming. Plan around it, or see the park instead.
Check the cancellation cut-off
All six picks show free cancellation on GetYourGuide. Check the exact cut-off on the listing before you book.
Know what Smithwick’s is
The Smithwick’s Experience is a guided story with a pint or soft drink. The listing does not mention seeing beer being brewed.
Kilkenny day trips: questions and answers
How do I get to Kilkenny from Dublin?
How long does it take to get from Dublin to Kilkenny?
What can I see between Dublin and Kilkenny?
How much does Kilkenny Castle cost, and is it open?
More Kilkenny tours, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
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Sources (3), facts checked on 25 October 2026
Written by the Things to Do in Dublin editorial team.