Ireland · GUIDED

15 Guided Tours in Ireland to Build a Day Around

63 tours  ·  from $12 a head

Every Irish trip has one free day too few. These 15 guided tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.

Dublin Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour - Starting in Temple Bar, with more than pub photos
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Dublin Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour

1.Dublin Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,020 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $29Our pick

Walk central Dublin with guides such as Dave, Dan, Keith, Helena, Karl and Barry. Over two hours, you’ll connect Viking Dublin, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, Temple Bar, the Liffey, O’Connell Bridge and Trinity College with local stories, Irish lore, humor and practical pub and restaurant tips.

“James was a great guide. Friendly, very knowledgeable and entertaining. Also communicated very well.”

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Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour - Wicklow Gap and the short photo stop
Full-Day, Glendalough & Wicklow Day Trips, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Dublin

Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour

2.Dublin to Glendalough, Wicklow and Kilkenny Full Day Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,895 reviews · 9 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Leave central Dublin at 8:45 a.m. for Glendalough’s monastic ruins, the Wicklow Mountains, Wicklow Gap, and medieval Kilkenny. A professional guide such as Pat, Teresa, Philip, or Jerry provides commentary while a separate driver handles the roads. Expect walking, changing weather, and a busy but rewarding nine-hour day.

“Philip and Alec were wonderful hosts! We thoroughly enjoyed the trip, despite the bad weather, and Philip's commentary was insightful and entertaining. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a day out of Dublin city!”

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Dublin Book of Kells, Castle and Molly Malone Statue Guided Tour - Trinity College and the Long Room reimagined experience
Book of Kells & Trinity College, Castle Tours, Castle Tours in Dublin, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Dublin

Dublin Book of Kells, Castle and Molly Malone Statue Guided Tour

3.Dublin Book of Kells, Castle and Molly Malone Statue Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,825 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95

Start at Trinity College with an English-speaking guide such as Dermot, Noel, Alan, or Jimmy. See the Book of Kells, the Long Room reimagined experience, Dublin Castle’s exterior and gardens, and Molly Malone’s statue. Expect history, stories, stairs, cobblestones, and plenty of walking.

“Jimmy was awesome! We really appreciated his customer service and gab. We made many small stops that got to show us a lot of what Dublin has to offer.”

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The Little Museum of Dublin: Famous Guided Tour - Pairing It With Other Dublin Plans
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The Little Museum of Dublin Famous Guided Tour

4.The Little Museum of Dublin Famous Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,948 reviews · 30 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $21

Join a lively English-language tour at the Little Museum of Dublin beside St Stephen’s Green. Guides such as Emma, George, Saul, Pauline, and Daryl turn Dublin’s past into a funny, musical story, with stops for U2 memorabilia, Tara’s Palace dolls house, and objects donated by local people. The visit lasts about 30 minutes to an hour.

“This was the highlight of our time spent in Dublin. The Georgian home,displays, stories, and humor told a great story of Irish history. Pauline’s song at the end was beautiful.”

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From Galway: Full-Day Cliffs of Moher & Burren Guided Tour - Starting in Galway and reaching Dunguaire Castle
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From Galway: Full-Day Cliffs of Moher & Burren Guided Tour

5.Full-Day Cliffs of Moher & Burren Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,815 reviews · from $57

Travel from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher along the Wild Atlantic Way with an English-speaking driver-guide. You’ll see Dunguaire Castle, the Burren, Black Head, Fanore, Doolin, and Corcomroe Abbey, with two hours at the cliffs and a lunch stop in Doolin. Guides such as Paddy, Phil, Des, and Gerry are praised for stories, folklore, and local insight.

“The best part was all of the spots we stopped at to explore and take pictures of. Des did a good job explaining everything we saw”

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Dublin Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse Guided Tour - Walking from Jameson to Guinness
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Dublin Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse Guided Tour

6.Dublin Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,608 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $166

Spend about four hours touring Jameson Distillery Bow St. and the Guinness Storehouse with a local guide. Taste Jameson whiskey and Guinness, walk between the two sites through central Dublin, and finish with a pint at Gravity Bar. Guides such as Fergus, Richard, Miriam, and Sean are known for adding lively local stories.

“Absolutely amazing! I highly recommend 😊 Miriam was a great guide! I recommend an early afternoon tour if you want to get a better view of the city.”

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Dublin to Rock of Cashel, Cork City & Blarney Castle Guided Tour - One hour among the ruins at Rock of Cashel
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Dublin to Rock of Cashel, Cork City & Blarney Castle Guided Tour

7.Dublin to Rock of Cashel, Cork City & Blarney Castle Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,536 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $95

Travel from Dublin to the Rock of Cashel, Cork, and Blarney Castle on a 12-hour Paddywagon Tours outing. Guides such as Brian, Leo, Michael, Alex, and JJ have been praised for history, humor, and helpful local tips. You’ll have time for the Blarney Stone, castle gardens, Cork’s English Market, and Woollen Mills shopping.

“You are given just the right amount of time at each location. Our driver Brian was amazing, such fun and informative. He really made they trip a special one. Just be sure to be dressed for the weather and wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking and stair climbing.”

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Big Bus Dublin Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour with Live Guide - Kilmainham, Heuston, and Dublin’s western edge
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Big Bus Dublin Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour with Live Guide

8.Big Bus Dublin Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,387 reviews · 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.) · from $41

Ride a double-decker bus around Dublin with live English commentary or digital audio. The route links Trinity College, Temple Bar, Guinness Storehouse, Phoenix Park, and 20 more stops. Choose 24, 48, or 72 hours, with a walking tour and night tour included on longer tickets. Guides such as Jerry, Pat, and Alan are known for lively storytelling.

“It was a convenient way to travel to some key sites in Dublin but the wait was sometimes more than advertised (in our case at the Guinness Storehouse). The drivers were good, only one of three that we met gave their own narration (he was fantastic!) the other two played the tape which didn’t always match where we were.”

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House of Waterford Crystal Guided Factory Tour - The mold room and the first shape of the crystal
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House of Waterford Crystal Guided Factory Tour

9.House of Waterford Crystal Guided Factory Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,303 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $22

Tour the House of Waterford Crystal with a guide such as Amy or Mary, seeing wooden mold making, 1300-degree furnaces, cutting, engraving, and strict quality checks. The guided visit takes about 50 minutes, followed by a vast showroom and café. It is wheelchair accessible and limited to 10 people.

“We all loved seeing in person how the beautiful crystal is made! Fascinating!!! BE SURE TO GO THERE AND SEE THIS AMAZING PLACE!”

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St Patrick's Cathedral: Self-Guided Cathedral Admission - Entering the 1220 cathedral
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St Patrick’s Cathedral: Self-Guided Cathedral Admission

10.St Patrick’s Cathedral: Self-Guided Cathedral Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,126 reviews · from $12Best value

Visit Saint Patrick’s Cathedral at your own pace with admission and an audio guide in six languages. See Jonathan Swift’s burial place, the Door of Reconciliation, Gothic stonework, and a 39-image Saint Patrick window. Touchscreens, choir recordings, and brass rubbing add context, while guided tours may also be available on site.

“Amazing day and the tour guide David was fabulous.”

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From Galway: Cliffs of Moher and The Burren Guided Day Trip - Crossing The Burren’s limestone country
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From Galway: Cliffs of Moher and The Burren Guided Day Trip

11.Cliffs of Moher and The Burren Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,770 reviews · from $62

Travel from Galway with an English-speaking driver-guide through Galway Bay, Kinvara, The Burren, and Doolin. See Dunguaire Castle, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Lisdoonvarna, and the 200-meter Cliffs of Moher, with 90 minutes at the cliffs and lunch time in Doolin. Guides such as Gary, Tommy, Patrick, and Anthony are known for lively local stories.

“Amazing. Well planned and executed. Narration was wonderful, scenery was unbelievably beautiful.”

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Dublin Teeling Whiskey Distillery Guided Tour and Tasting 1 Hour - Seeing whiskey made from grain to glass
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Dublin Teeling Whiskey Distillery Guided Tour and Tasting 1 Hour

12.Dublin Teeling Whiskey Distillery Guided Tour and Tasting 1 Hour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,765 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $24

Spend an hour at Teeling Whiskey Distillery in Dublin’s Liberties, tracing Irish whiskey from grain to glass before tasting a selection of Teeling pours. Guides such as Marc, Blaise, Gary, and Ivie are known for lively, clear presentations. A café, terrace, bar, and gift shop make it easy to linger afterward.

“The tour was very fun and informative. Iur tour guide, Marc was funny and engaging and clearly knowledgeable and proud of the product Teeling Distillery produces.”

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From Dublin: Half-Day Guided Coastal Tour to Howth Village - Leaving from 13 O’Connell Street Upper
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From Dublin: Half-Day Guided Coastal Tour to Howth Village

13.Half-Day Guided Coastal Tour to Howth Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,331 reviews · from $45

Ride from central Dublin to Howth Summit, join an English-speaking guide for a one-hour cliff walk, then spend 75 minutes in the fishing village. Expect sea views, seabirds, possible seals, St. Mary’s Abbey, seafood, and lively commentary from guides such as Jerry, James, Robbie, or Jeff.

“A really good experience. The guide was very knowledgeable and informative. Would recommend it to anyone.”

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From Cork: Ring of Kerry Guided Day Trip - Killorglin and the story of Puck Fair
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From Cork: Ring of Kerry Guided Day Trip

14.Ring of Kerry Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,284 reviews · from $67

Travel from Cork around the Ring of Kerry with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Killorglin, Dingle Bay, Inch Beach, Waterville, Killarney National Park, Torc Waterfall, and Killarney town. Guides such as Kevin, Paul, Joe, Brian, and TJ are praised for clear stories and good humor. Lunch and optional jaunting-car rides cost extra.

“Guide kept us fully informed throughout the day. Plenty of stops and things to see.”

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Guided Climb of Carrauntoohil with KerryClimbing.ie - The ascent rewards patience and steady pacing
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours in Killarney

Guided Climb of Carrauntoohil with KerryClimbing.ie

15.Guided Climb of Carrauntoohil with KerryClimbing.ie

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,114 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $96

Join KerryClimbing.ie for a guided ascent of Carrauntoohil from Cronins Yard near Killarney. You’ll hike more than 11 kilometers, gain and lose about 1,000 meters, and spend over six hours on rough mountain ground. Guides including Mike, Pierce, Orla, and Keith bring safety advice, local stories, and steady encouragement.

“The highlight of my trip to Ireland! Pierce was an excellent guide, kept us going at a good pace while making sure everyone was still ok. The routes were gorgeous. Definitely too challenging for me if I hadn't had a guide! Worth every penny to feel like I was on a journey with the Fellowship in Lord of the Rings.”

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New in Guided

★ 4.3Jameson Distillery & Guinness Brewery Guided TourFrom $12428 reviews
★ 4.8Guided Delicious Donut Tour with TastingsFrom $7053 reviews
★ 4.9Dublin City Highlights Private Guided Walking TourFrom $15315 reviews
★ 4.4Full-Day Guided Tour to Dingle PeninsulaFrom $67135 reviews
★ 4.8City Gaol Tour with Audio GuideFrom $15108 reviews
★ 4.9Visite guidée de Cork city en français avec guideFrom $3216 reviews
★ 4.6Guided Historic Walking TourFrom $4032 reviews
★ 5.0Blarney Castle: Private Guided Day Tour from Dublin3 reviews
★ 4.92 Hour City Center Guided Walking TourFrom $2612 reviews
★ 4.5Slieve League cliffs cruise. Donegal. Guided. 1 ¾ hours.From $6861 reviews
★ 4.8The Titanic Trail: 1-Hour Guided Walking Tour of CobhFrom $2678 reviews
★ 4.5Castles of Connemara tour departing Galway city. Guided. Full dayFrom $19229 reviews
★ 5.0Donegal Coast One Day Self-Guided E-Bike TourFrom $5966 reviews
★ 5.0Hour Slea Head Drive Tour 4hr – Personal Chauffeur Guide43 reviews
★ 5.0Guided tour of Connemara with 3 hour stop in Kylemore AbbeyFrom $60175 reviews

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Cliffs of Moher Tours49Castle Tours39Whiskey & Distillery Tours38Walking Tours59Ring of Kerry Tours15Tours in Dublin289
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Explore Ireland

Start on a coast road, at a castle gate or on a bar stool.

The coast

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