Kilkenny & Wicklow Paddywagon Day Tour
Since, I haven’t wrapped my head around driving on the left side of the road, my mode of transportation in Ireland has been by bus.
Maybe I’ll give driving a whirl in the summer….. And, I’ll be sure to give all of Ireland ample warning that I’m on the road!
For now, I am quite okay with someone else doing the driving.
My ride! What’s not to love?
A Paddywagon day tour is a great way to check out some of the more popular attractions in Ireland. They have a nice variety of tours to choose from.
I had been spending a lot of time on the Atlantic Coast of Ireland, and thought it was time to wander to another part of the country. I decided to check out Paddywagon’s Wicklow and Kilkenny Day Tour. The tour leaves out of Dublin, taking you through the Wicklow Mountains, with stops in Glendalough and Kilkenny.
Tour picks up at Molly Malone statue in Dublin.
What a gorgeous drive! The countryside is incredibly beautiful.
The first stop is in Glendalough, home to an early Christian monastic settlement.
Walk through the Monastic City Gateway
As you walk through the Gateway, it’s like stepping back in time. It is the only surviving medieval gateway into a monastic city in Ireland. Can you feel the history?
Love all the stonework!
St. Kevin’s Church
After exploring the monastic city, head onto the trails to check out the lakes….. There are two.
I spent so much time in the ruins, I only saw the lower one….. Guess that means I’ll have to go back!
Pathway to the lake
You could spend hours there….. So much to see and explore.
Round Tower in the distance.
Lower Lake
Time goes by much too quickly here….. It’s easy to get lost in the beauty surrounding you.
After we get back on the bus, we head towards the Wicklow Gap….. It’s pretty much a photo opp stop, and then we are off to Kilkenny.
Quick stop for photo opp at the Wicklow Gap.
The bus arrives at the doorsteps of Kilkenny Castle….. You have two hours to explore the town or take a tour of the castle.
The Castle….. Isn’t it magnificent?
Kilkenny fascinates me. I’m not quite sure why….. Perhaps because it’s a medieval town. I guess I’m amazed that ancient structures still exist….. As an American, it is something you just don’t experience on a daily basis.
The Kilkenny Castle on the River Nore
View of Kilkenny, a medieval town.
The town sits alongside the River Nore.
After checking out the castle, and a walk around the town, I had just enough time to grab an Irish Coffee at a local pub.
Time flies by once again, and leaves me wishing I could stay longer….. But, there was a Paddywagon Bus waiting.
Next stop….. Dublin.
Dublin, Ireland
I had such a great day! The tour was such a fantastic way to be introduced to another part of Ireland.
Thank you Paddywagon for sponsoring the trip! The tour was fabulous, and I can’t wait to do another one! Next time I’m bringing friends!
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