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Post Info TOPIC: Getting from Dublin to Glendalough for a few hours and back on our own schedule
Belo


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Getting from Dublin to Glendalough for a few hours and back on our own schedule
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We will be visiting Dublin in 2 months and, while there, we want to take a half day trip to Glendalough.  We won't have a car, we don't want to sign up for a guided bus tour, and the St. Kevin's Bus schedule doesn't suit our needs.  One suggestion I have seen is to take DART to Rathdrum and a taxi (or a bus?) to Glendalough from Rathdrum.  Another is to take DART to Laragh and WALK to Glendalough (weather permiting, of course).  So I'll appreciate any advice on this topic.  Also, at which DART station should we plan to catch the DART train south from the City Center?

 



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Michele Erdvig


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DART does not go to Rathdrum or Laragh. Check the map. This website may help you make a decision: http://www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie/gettinghere.html

 



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Belo


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OK, substitute Irish Rail for DART, and my question remains the same. Any experience with taxi, private tours, or alternatives?

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tony2phones


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There is the Wicklow way bus but that only runs once a day each way. You will find that even major tourist attractions are not best served by public transport. There are multiple tours from Dublin which would probably make the most practical option apart from walking and cycling

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Michele Erdvig


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Is there a reason you don't want to take a tour to Glendalough? It is a pretty big place and as long as you know the departure time you can go off exploring on your own. No need to stick with the group except for on the bus.

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Belo


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A fair point. But the tours I have looked at that come the closest - Day Tours Unplugged and Collins Day Tours - include other sites and constitute too much time on a bus. i've just about decided against trying to include Glendalough in our planning. Maybe we'll go west and see Clonmacnoise instead.

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Michele Erdvig


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Clonmacnoise would be a good substitute. Although the mountain scenery at Glendalough is wonderful. Clonmacnoise is on the Shannon River and the landscape is flat.

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tony2phones


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Clonmacnoise is no easy reach without a car? You have to get to Athlone then find a trip down (there is a boat trip on a Wednesday in summer season but the lad that used to run mini bus's has retired).

Will you have a car at any point on the trip or are you just on Public transport and local tours?

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Geno


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Good point Tony.  In fact, Clonmacnoise is not a straight or easy trip with a car!  But certainly worth the drive.

Geno



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Belo


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I see there is a train from Dublin Heuston to Athlone, and taxi's abound in Athlone. 



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tony2phones


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By the time you have done that you might as well have had a taxi for Glendalough?

This is the Viking boat tours schedule for Clonmacnoise  http://www.vikingtoursireland.ie/index.php/clonmacnois-cruises/clonmacnois-cruises-dates-and-times  



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Itallian Chauffeur


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These folks offer a 1/2 day tour of Glendalough and Wicklow that includes 2 hours Free time at Glendalough:  http://www.daytoursunplugged.ie/coast-mountains-valleys-lakes-tour/wicklow-glendalough-ps-i-love-you-film-tour.741.html

I can't imagine anything quicker for either Glendalough or Clonmacnoise.  The 'Extra' stops in Wicklow are along the route and seem to only be brief, 'photo ops'.



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Marie


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I took the tour bus to Glendalough when I was over in 2011. Enjoyed it immensely. I cannot, however, remember which one it was.

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