KILCOOLE SIGHTSEEING TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Garden of Ireland in Nine Hours: Mountains, Monastic Ruins, Whiskey and Wicklow Wolf Brews
A private, curated 9-hour day trip from Dublin that pairs sweeping Wicklow Mountain vistas and Glendalough’s ancient valley with a Glendalough whiskey tasting and a Wicklow Wolf craft-beer tasting.
Garden of Ireland in Nine Hours: Mountains, Monastic Ruins, Whiskey and Wicklow Wolf Brews.
Drive out of Dublin into the raw folds of the Wicklow Mountains and you enter a landscape of steep ridges, quiet lakes and an enduring human story: Glendalough’s monastic ruins set within a glacial valley. This private, nine-hour curated experience combines scenic photo stops, free time to walk the monastic site and upper lake, a hosted Glendalough whiskey tasting, and a visit to Wicklow Wolf Craft Brewery to sample their collaboration stout and other bold brews.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Wicklow Mountains and Guinness Lake
Travel through the dramatic hills and valleys of the Garden of Ireland with planned photo stops, including views of the striking Guinness Lake—an ideal introduction to County Wicklow’s rugged, lake-scattered terrain.
Glendalough’s Monastic Valley
Explore the ruins and walking trails of Glendalough National Park, where the ancient monastic site and the story of Saint Kevin anchor a free period for independent wandering and photography.
Glendalough Whiskey and Wicklow Wolf Brews
Enjoy a hosted Glendalough whiskey tasting, then end the day at Wicklow Wolf Craft Brewery for a tasting flight that includes a special collaboration — “The Still Hand,” a 13.1% barleywine aged in ex-Oloroso whiskey barrels — showcasing two County Wicklow producers.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
The day moves deliberately: private pickup in Dublin, a scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains with intermittent photo stops, a stop at Guinness Lake, time to walk among Glendalough’s monastic remains and along the Upper Lake, a curated whiskey tasting, and an evening visit to Wicklow Wolf Craft Brewery before returning to Dublin—an active, taste-driven loop through landscape and local craft.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a private 9-hour experience, running from pickup in Dublin through return in the evening.
Pickup is arranged from Dublin — the tour begins from your Dublin accommodation.
Bring comfortable walking shoes for uneven terrain, weather-appropriate clothing and a rain jacket, sun protection, a reusable water bottle, camera or smartphone, and a valid photo ID for the beer tasting.
The tour involves uneven and sometimes steep walking and is not suitable for wheelchair users; the brewery tasting requires guests to be 18+ with valid ID.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The tour is a private 9-hour experience.
Where does the tour start?
Pickup is arranged from your Dublin accommodation; the tour departs from Dublin.
Are tastings included?
Yes. The itinerary includes a hosted Glendalough whiskey tasting and a visit to Wicklow Wolf Craft Brewery for a beer tasting.
Is there an age requirement for the brewery tasting?
Yes. The Wicklow Wolf brewery tasting requires guests to be 18 years or older and valid ID is mandatory.
Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility?
No. The tour involves walking on uneven and sometimes steep terrain and is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
Is lunch provided?
Lunch in the Glendalough area is at your leisure; the itinerary allows time for a meal but does not include a set lunch.