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Waterford Crystal and Kilkenny Castle Full-Day Tour

Experience the elegance and heritage of Ireland’s southeast on our private Waterford Crystal and Kilkenny Castle Tour. Travel in comfort and style in a luxury vehicle with your own expert driver-guide as you explore a perfect blend of craftsmanship, medieval history, and breathtaking architecture.

At the House of Waterford, witness the artistry behind one of the world’s most famous crystal brands. Enjoy a guided factory tour where master craftspeople shape, cut, and engrave exquisite crystal pieces using traditional techniques passed down through generations.

In the medieval city of Kilkenny, step back in time at the majestic Kilkenny Castle. Once the seat of the powerful Butler family, the castle’s restored interiors and lush parklands offer a glimpse into centuries of Irish noble life. Nearby, explore the awe-inspiring St. Canice’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, and climb the adjacent 9th-century Round Tower—one of the few in Ireland still accessible—for panoramic views of the city.

We will be able to recommend a place for a light lunch.

This tour is perfect for those seeking a luxurious, personalised journey through Ireland’s artistic and historical treasures. Whether you’re passionate about heritage, architecture, or craftsmanship, this immersive day promises a rich and memorable experience in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East.

Pick up time at your hotel: 8 am
Drop-off: 6 pm

To skip the queues, we recommend using our concierge service. With this option, we can handle purchasing of your House of Waterford and Kilkenny Castle admission tickets for you. If you choose to proceed, please email us after booking this tour online, and the cost of the tickets will be charged separately. The price per person is €19.50 for the House of Waterford and €8 for the Kilkenny Castle.

  • duration-icon Duration: Full-Day
  • family-icon Suitable for: All age groups
  • group-icon Group: 1-3 (larger groups, contact us)

Sites we will visit

House of Waterford
House of Waterford

The House of Waterford, located in Waterford City, is home to the world-renowned Waterford Crystal. This elegant visitor centre offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship behind the iconic crystal creations. Guests can enjoy a guided factory tour, witnessing skilled artisans at work—from glass blowing to cutting and engraving—using centuries-old techniques. The showroom displays stunning chandeliers, trophies, and glassware, showcasing the brand’s artistry and heritage. As both a working factory and a museum-like experience, the House of Waterford is a must-visit destination for those interested in Irish craftsmanship, design, and the legacy of this luxury brand.

To skip the queues, we recommend using our concierge service. With this option, we can handle purchasing of your Waterford House admission tickets for you. If you choose to proceed, please email us after booking this tour online, and the cost of the tickets will be charged separately. The price per person is €19.50.

Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle

This is one of Ireland’s most iconic and well-preserved castles. Originally built in the 12th century by the powerful Norman Butler family, the castle has undergone many transformations over the centuries. Its impressive structure features grand halls, period furnishings, and beautifully restored rooms that reflect centuries of Irish history. Surrounded by lush parklands and formal gardens, the castle offers a peaceful setting for visitors to explore both indoors and out. Today, Kilkenny Castle stands as a symbol of the city’s medieval heritage and is a highlight of any visit to the region.

To skip the queues, we recommend using our concierge service. With this option, we can handle purchasing of your Kilkenny Castle admission tickets for you. If you choose to proceed, please email us after booking this tour online, and the cost of the tickets will be charged separately. The price per person is €8.

St Canice`s Cathedral and Round Tower
St Canice`s Cathedral

St. Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower, located in Kilkenny City, is a remarkable example of medieval ecclesiastical architecture. Built in the 13th century, the cathedral boasts stunning stained glass windows, intricate stone carvings, and historic tombs that reflect the city’s rich religious heritage. Adjacent to the cathedral stands the 100-foot-high Round Tower, one of the few in Ireland that visitors can climb. From the top, enjoy panoramic views of Kilkenny and the surrounding countryside. This sacred site offers a unique blend of spiritual, architectural, and historical significance, making it a must-visit destination in Ireland’s medieval capital.

Includes

  • Private tour in a luxury car
  • Fully-qualified tour guide

Excludes

  • Meals
  • Admission tickets
Price: €690

Plus booking fee

You will get a full refund if you cancel your tour up to 7 days before your tour date

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Got A question?

We’re all ears! Give us a call or drop us an email and our knowledgeable team will be happy to help you.

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Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Pick up at your hotel in Dublin, Louth, or Meath at 8 am.

End point

After the tour we will drive you back to your accommodation. Drop-off at 6 pm.

Breaks

Breaks when requested.

We will schedule time for a light lunch.

Waterford Crystal and Kilkenny Castle Tour Showcase

Waterford Crystal and Kilkenny Castle Tour
Kilkenny Design
Kilkenny Castle
St Canice`s Cathedral
Newgrange Day Tours

Experiences of Our Guests

tripadvisor-icon (1)

Superb Day Tour, Highest Recommendation

We were returning from a trip to Asia and only had one day to spend in Ireland. At the last minute, I booked a day tour with Owen to the Cliffs of Mohr and Bunratty Castle. My wife and I have traveled to 15 countries and I can honestly say that Owen is the BEST tour guide we have ever experienced. He made our single day in Ireland an unforgettable experience. Owen is extremely knowledgeable, providing great insights about the places we visited and Ireland as a whole. The best thing was he made us feel so comfortable from the first moment. It felt more like we were family than customers. The time en route passed quickly because of the great conversation and wealth of information.

Mar 2025 • Couples

Burgoyne Hughes

Great Driver & Tour Guide

We had a private tour to a couple places we wanted to go and Owen was a great driver, very friendly and very knowledgeable about the country. We went to Rock of Cashel and to Jerpoint Park and it was a great day—he even took us to a local grocery store on our way back to Dublin. His vehicle is so comfortable, so much so that I let my husband ride in the front and we both had great views and were quite cosy. I highly recommend hiring Owen for any private tour you need in the area. You will not regret it. In addition, and as a bonus, he is a super nice person.

Oct 2023 • Couples

AliciaRJ

Went to New Grange and the Hill of Tara with a few little suprises along the way!

I had an incredible time on my tour with Owen. He was friendly, very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. My expectations were far exceeded on my tour and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to tour the incredible history and magic of Boyne Valley.

Jun 2024 • Solo

Roxie H

Phenomenal Tour!

Owen was a phenomenal tour guide, and we felt he curated the perfect experience to maximize our time in Ireland! We were impressed with each and every stop he suggested during our personalized tour of County Wicklow. If you’re looking for an exceptional experience with a guide who pays attention to little details, Owen is the guide for you!

Jul 2024 • Family

Stephanie Waller

The G.O.A.T. of Tour Guides

Owen is not a tour guide, he is THE tour guide. He was the MVP of my Ireland trip. I could listen to him talk all day, no stops or attractions necessary. The second you step into his car, you can immediately see he’s a kind, family man with a love of Irish history. He masterfully tailored the tour to our family’s needs and interests; He shifted between providing detailed information for history lovers, and giving broader, more general information for those of us who were learning about Irish history for the first time. This is one of the many ways Owen makes each of his private tours special for his guests. He took us to two great cafes in the Irish countryside, and recommended an excellent steakhouse back in Dublin for dinner (the cheesecake was just as good as he said it would be. Owen always has your back!). We visited a couple of megalithic sites; and were even able to fit in Trim Castle and the Hill of Slane. Both were “must-do”s on my bucket list, and we wouldn’t have gotten to them on our short trip without his help. Thank you so much Owen!

Aug 2024 • Couples

Tara T

World`s Best Historic Adventure!

Owen was a magnificent guide full of unique knowledge and wit! We’re from the US and it was our first trip to Ireland. We have some Irish family ties and wanted to see special sites like The Hill of Tara, Newgrange and Trim Castle. All the group tours were booked up but Irish luck was with us when Owen and his private tour granted our request to take us around with a few days notice. Owen was like a warm, witty podcaster, full of terrific knowledge of Irish history. My daughter is a history major from a top notch school who’s studied history abroad and she was astounded with his accuracy and the new information he provided to all of us. We highly recommend Owen and hope we someday we get to tour with him again ! We plan to return !! Thank you Owen for everything – including the delicious scone we stopped for in the nearby village ! It’s was a treat we will remember.

Aug 2024 • Families

Alicia T

Awesome Wicklow Tour With Owen

We need more than 5 stars to tell you how amazing our trip with Owen was! We toured the Wicklow Mountains, stopping at a monastic site, the Upper Lake in Glendalough, and Powerscourt Waterfall / Gardens. The weather was a bit foggy in the morning, so we missed the Lough Tay Guinness Lake, but the view at the Upper Lake more than made up for it! Owen is a class act. My wife was a bit woozy going through the mountains, and he allowed her to ride up front and made several adjustments to our path/schedule to make things more comfortable. We really enjoyed chatting about culture, family, and just life in general with Owen. We will definitely be booking another trip with him the next time we make it to Ireland!

Aug 2024 • Couples

Pat A