Dublin to Kilkenny: Gaelic sport private day trip
Private ride with a local driver
7h 15mRound tripPrivate driver
Trusted by 2+ million happy travelers across 130 countries
Reviews
Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice 2026
4.9
5281Reviews
About your trip
Journey through Irelandās lush heartland to discover hurling, the ancient Gaelic sport often called the fastest field game in the world. In Kilkenny, its spiritual home, explore medieval landmarks and living traditions, while your professional driver ensures a seamless, comfortable escape from Dublin.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Dublin whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your driverās local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden cafĆ© here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips youāll love sharing later. This isnāt a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.Explore at your own pace
Your professional Daytrip driver collects you in Dublin and transports you comfortably to Kilkenny, managing all logistics so you can focus on history, culture, and Irelandās deep-rooted hurling traditions.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Kilkenny should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
- Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From US$171
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotalUS$514
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Dublin
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Kilkenny
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 4 hours - admission not included
Kilkenny combines centuries-old architecture with one of Irelandās fiercest sporting traditions. What to see:
- Kilkenny Way Hurling Experience, featuring a GAA history introduction, museum visit, on-pitch coaching session, and the chance to watch a live game over a meal
- Kilkenny GAA legacy sites, celebrating one of the most successful teams in hurling history
- Kilkenny Castle, a 12th-century Norman stronghold overlooking the River Nore
- Nowlan Park, the spiritual home of local hurling
- Medieval Mile, a historic route linking the cityās most important landmarks What to eat:
- Classic Irish breakfast with locally sourced ingredients
- Shepherdās pie with rich, savory flavors
- Locally brewed ales and hearty pub fare Take note:
- The Kilkenny Way Hurling Experience should be booked in advance (not included in the price of your transfer) ttps://thekilkennyway.com/kilkenny-hurling-package-2.php
- Comfortable shoes are recommended for cobbled streets
- Many attractions are within walking distance in the compact city center
Back to Dublin
Weāll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?
Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.
Know more about your day trip
Kilkenny has a strong food scene for a city of its size. Parliament Street and the lanes off High Street are home to a range of cafes, traditional pubs, and restaurants. The area around the Butter Slip laneway is particularly popular and is a good spot for lunch between sightseeing stops.
Yes. The Kilkenny Way Hurling Experience includes a GAA history introduction, a museum visit, an on-pitch coaching session, and the chance to watch a live game over a meal. It should be booked in advance and is not included in the price of your transfer.
Kilkenny is around 70 miles (113 km) from Dublin and takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to drive each way. The full round trip with a 3-hour stop in the city is about 6 hours 15 minutes, making it one of the most convenient day trips from Dublin.
Kilkenny is about 70 miles (113 km) from Dublin, roughly an hour and 30 minutes of driving each way. The route through Ireland's green heartland makes it one of the most convenient and rewarding day trips from the capital.
Kilkenny Castle is one of Ireland's most iconic landmarks and well worth a visit. A self-guided walk around the grounds is free, while guided tours of the interior take around 45 to 60 minutes. Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially during summer. The castle gardens are also open to the public and are a lovely spot for a short stroll.
Kilkenny Castle is one of Ireland's most iconic landmarks. A walk around the grounds is free, while guided interior tours take around 45 to 60 minutes. Booking ahead is recommended in summer, and the castle gardens make a lovely spot for a short stroll.
Yes. Kilkenny has a compact, walkable historic center, though the charming cobbled streets and medieval laneways can be uneven, so comfortable shoes help. The signposted Medieval Mile between the castle and St. Canice's Cathedral takes about 20 to 30 minutes at a relaxed pace.
Kilkenny is a very walkable city with a compact historic center. The cobbled streets and medieval laneways are charming but can be uneven, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. The medieval mile route between the castle and St. Canice's Cathedral is clearly signposted and takes about 20 to 30 minutes at a leisurely pace.
Entry to the grounds of St. Canice's Cathedral is free, but climbing the adjacent round tower carries a small admission fee. The tower dates from the 9th century and offers some of the best elevated views of Kilkenny city. Tickets can be purchased on-site, and the climb is suitable for reasonably fit visitors.
Hurling is an ancient Gaelic sport often called the fastest field game in the world, and Kilkenny is considered its spiritual home. The county boasts one of the most successful teams in hurling history, and the sport is woven into local life and pride.
The Smithwicks Experience is a guided tour of Ireland's oldest operating brewery, set in the heart of Kilkenny. The 45-minute tour covers the history of brewing in the city and ends with a tasting. Tickets start at around EUR 20 per person and can be booked at smithwicksexperience.com. Advance booking is strongly recommended, as slots fill up quickly.
Kilkenny is enjoyable year-round, but late spring and summer offer the most pleasant conditions for exploring the city on foot. The Kilkenny Arts Festival in August draws large crowds and adds a vibrant atmosphere to the city. Spring and autumn are quieter and offer a more relaxed experience of the medieval streets.
Three hours in Kilkenny is enough to explore the highlights. Stroll the medieval mile along Parliament Street and High Street, admire Kilkenny Castle from the outside, visit St. Mary's Medieval Mile Museum, and climb the round tower at St. Canice's Cathedral for panoramic views. If time allows, finish with a visit to Smithwick's Experience, Ireland's oldest brewery.
With around four hours, you can stroll the Medieval Mile, admire Kilkenny Castle, visit St. Mary's Medieval Mile Museum, and climb the round tower at St. Canice's Cathedral for panoramic views. Fans of history and local culture will find plenty to enjoy.
Kilkenny is enjoyable year-round, but late spring and summer offer the most pleasant conditions for exploring on foot. The Kilkenny Arts Festival in August brings a lively atmosphere, while spring and autumn are quieter for a more relaxed feel among the medieval streets.
Kilkenny has a strong food scene for its size, with cafes, traditional pubs, and restaurants along Parliament Street and the lanes off High Street. The area around the Butter Slip laneway is a popular spot for a relaxed lunch between sightseeing stops.
Explore similar trips from Dublin
Dublin to Cliffs of Moher: Private day trip
9h 45mPrivate group
From US$239 / per person
Dublin to Cork: Private day trip
10h 45mPrivate group
From US$266 / per person
Dublin to Cork and Blarney Stone: Private day trip
11h 15mPrivate group
From US$276 / per person
Dublin to Kilkenny and Waterford: Private, guided tour
9h 15mPrivate group
From US$265 / per person
Dublin to Howth Cliff and Malahide: Private day trip
8h 0mPrivate group
From US$164 / per person
Dublin to Jameson and Tullamore Distilleries: Day trip
10h 30mPrivate group
From US$266 / per person
Dublin to James Joyce sites: Private day trip
7h 15mPrivate group
From US$155 / per person
Irish history here and abroad: Private day trip from Dublin
12h 30mPrivate group
From ā¬268 / per person
