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1 / 10Wicklow & Glendalough with Sheep Farm Visit
, Ireland
Bus & Minivan ToursDay Trips & ExcursionsNature ToursBus TourCity Breaks
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About this activity
A 7-hour guided tour from Dublin through the dramatic Wicklow Mountains, combining monastic heritage sites with authentic rural Irish life on a working sheep farm. You'll experience both ancient history and modern countryside culture in one immersive day.
Our day tour to Wicklow departs from Suffolk Street outside the Old stone church in Dublin. We begin our journey southwards, traveling up past the Blessington lakes.Our first stop is Baltinglass where you will have half an hour to grab a coffee and have a good browse around the 12 Century abbey founded by Dermot Mac Murrough the then King of Leinster. This is a fantastic ruin with a combination of Cistercian and Irish Romanesque architecture. The arches are the Abbeys most prominent feature with alternate round and square pillars. Explore the ruins and discover some intricate carvings.
Experience the working side of Wicklow with a visit to a working Irish sheep farm. Meet your friendly local farmer Ed who will introduce you to his life, from the diverse farming practices of sheep farming to organic vegetable growing. The highlight of this stop is a sheepdog exhibition where farmer Ed will coral the sheep with his trusty border collies. We are the only tour company that introduces you to the real working and living side of Wicklow!
After a scenic rural drive we stop off in Laragh at Lynham's of Laragh for lunch. You couldn’t have lunch in a more perfect setting. (Lunch is not included)
We then visit the beautiful valley and Monastic site of Glendalough. Here was where Saint Kevin settled in the 6th Century, evidence of which still can be seen via 10th/ 11th Century monastic site perched between the hills. Explore the monastic site and take in your surroundings and let your spirit run free. Here you get 1.5 hours to discover the area, before we continue our journey.
We continue on our route heading back to Dublin through the scenic Sally Gap, journeying along the military road which was built after the 1798 rebellion in an attempt to flush out the rebels who were in hiding in the Wicklow mountains. Take your picture at the P.S. I Love you bridge and see Lough Tay – aptly called the Guinness Lake - while surrounded with blanket bog and mountain peaks which are drenched in green and yellow in the summer and pink and purple in the autumn.
Highlights
- ✓12th-century Baltinglass Abbey with Cistercian and Romanesque architecture
- ✓Working sheep farm with live sheepdog herding demonstration
- ✓Meet farmer Ed and learn organic farming practices firsthand
- ✓6th-century monastic settlement of Glendalough in a glacial valley
- ✓Scenic drive through Blessington Lakes and Wicklow countryside
- ✓Only tour combining heritage sites with active farm experience
Insider tips
- ★Arrive early at Suffolk Street pickup to secure a good seat; the minivan fills quickly on peak days
- ★Wear waterproof clothing and sturdy walking shoes — Wicklow weather is unpredictable and terrain around both abbeys is uneven
- ★Bring a camera for the sheepdog display and Glendalough valley; lighting is best mid-morning and late afternoon
- ★Pack snacks or cash for lunch at Lynham's in Laragh, as meals aren't included in the tour price
Good to know
- •Departs from Suffolk Street outside the Old Stone Church in Dublin; return time approximately 7 hours from start
- •Lunch stop at Laragh is unguided and self-funded — allow 45–60 minutes
- •Walking involved at three main sites; abbey ruins and monastic grounds require moderate mobility
- •Tour operates year-round; small group minivan format (typical capacity ~20 passengers)
- •No strict dress code, but layered clothing essential — Wicklow altitude and valley winds can be cool even in summer
Who it's for
History enthusiasts interested in early Irish monasticism and medieval architectureNature photographers seeking dramatic valley landscapes and rural authenticityFamilies wanting interactive farm experiences and outdoor explorationTravellers seeking off-the-beaten-path rural Ireland beyond Dublin's city centre
Best time to visit
May to September offers the warmest weather and best visibility of the mountain scenery; June–August sees peak wildflowers at Glendalough. Visit early morning (pre-10am pickup) to avoid midday crowds at the monastic site and catch optimal light for photography.
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