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Things to do in Wicklow

Our most recommended things to do in Wicklow

From Dublin: Half-Day Trip to Glendalough and Wicklow

1. From Dublin: Half-Day Trip to Glendalough and Wicklow

Escape the hustle and bustle of Dublin and soak up the serenity of the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough on a day trip by bus. See sights such as Sugar Loaf Mountain and Roundwood village. The tour starts mid-afternoon, leaving you time for lunch or a pint of Guinness before the experience begins. After getting picked up from your chosen pickup point in central Dublin, enjoy a brief sightseeing tour of the capital as you travel to Glendalough.  Take in panoramic views of the aptly-named Sugar Loaf mountain and pass through the quaint village of Roundwood on your journey through the Wicklow Mountains. Upon arrival at Glendalough, soak up breathtaking Irish scenery, history, and wildlife at the "Valley of Two Lakes". Enjoy at least 90 minutes of free time to explore the Celtic Christian monastery ruins which were built on the lakeside by Saint Kevin many centuries ago. Discover intricately carved stone Celtic crosses and round towers where monks hid golden chalices and other valuables from the many Viking raids which took place in the region. Stand by the water's edge and scan the oak trees to see if you can spot the endangered native red squirrel at play. As you explore, try to spot the location where the Braveheart wedding scene was filmed and where PS I Love You's Gerard Butler famously bumped into Hilary Swank. Return to Dublin after an amazing afternoon in the fresh air of the Wicklow Mountains with photos and memories of your Irish adventure.

Wicklow Historic Gaol: 1-Hour Tour

2. Wicklow Historic Gaol: 1-Hour Tour

Take a trip back in time and experience prison life in Wicklow Gaol as it would have been endured by its 18th century inmates. After being greeted by either the matron or the jailer, step through the Gates of Hell to begin your partially guided tour of this fascinating museum. After descending down a narrow spiral staircase, discover the dark history of the jail from your guide, including the number of prisoners held in Wicklow, the crimes they had committed and the torture methods used on the inmates. Hear fascinating stories of famous prisoners housed at Wicklow, and their executions at the gallows!  As you proceed through the jail, feel a shiver down your spine and ask your guide about accounts of paranormal activities. With the help of videos, holograms and lifelike mannequins, bring to life the inmates' experiences. For you younger inmates, there is a fun quiz to complete as you make your way around the museum, which can be checked at the end of your tour. If you've demonstrated good conduct throughout the tour, the jailer will decide whether you're lucky enough to receive a special release form!

Wicklow: Private Day Tour from Dublin

3. Wicklow: Private Day Tour from Dublin

Start with a pick-up at your chosen location and drive south into County Wicklow from Dublin. Your qualified guide will share many stories and local folklore about the places you will visit. Tailor the tour to your liking and decide to visit the Powerscourt House Gardens in Enniskerry. Explore the gardens at your own pace and then relax over a coffee looking out towards the Wicklow countryside and sugar loaf hill. You can also do some shopping at the Avoca craft shop. Afterward, drive through the Wicklow Mountains National park with some scenic stops along the way. Such as the Lough Brays, Luggala, the Guinness family Estate, and the P.S. I Love you bridge. Actually many films and TV series were made in this national park such as "The Vikings", "P.S. I Love You", "Leap Year" and today they are filming Enchanted II. Enjoy some lunch in an Irish Pub near Glendalough. Taste some lovely fresh Wicklow produce. Explore Glendalough and the 6th-century monastic site of St Kevin. Enjoy a walk in this wonderful scenic valley with its two lakes and a mixture of deciduous woodland. If there is anything else you would like to do, your guide is with you and would be happy to help arrange this.

Wicklow: Glendalough Guided Night Hike and History Tour

4. Wicklow: Glendalough Guided Night Hike and History Tour

The adventure starts in the evening twilight, meeting at the Glendalough Visitor Centre where everyone will get a chance to meet one another and run through any questions they may have for the guide. Once the group is happy and ready to go, the first bits of history will begin to emerge as the church, tower and tombstones come into view under the setting sun before moving on to the see the first reflections of the gloaming sky in the first of the "two lakes" of Glendalough (Irish for glen of the two lakes). As the tour moves into the vegetated sides of the valleys, the group will get to share the coming of night with Sika deer grazing as the sun sets. Once the sun has fully left us for another day, stargaze as we pass through the Miners Village and travel through the 6th century Monastic sites in darkness. Along the way the guide will entertain you with all the culture and history that this amazing place has to offer, before returning to the starting point 4.5 hours later, with a head full of stories and an enduring calm that only unique experiences like Glendalough under the night sky can instill.

Other Sightseeing Options in Wicklow

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What people are saying about Wicklow

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 30 reviews

Our ride was comfortable, and our guide was knowledgeable! Jackie guided us to the best parts of the tour and have us wonderful information along the way. He made the trip very memorable and enjoyable!

Lovely trip to the lakes and glendalough, very historical and scenic. Perfect if you do t have a full day, gives a small taste of the amazing scenery of Ireland

A very beautiful day in the mountains. Vincent is a talented driver!

Tour guy was incredible, views from glendalough were amazing

Great tour guide Alex. We definetly had 'the craic'