My brother, on his way home from a conference in Scotland, is going to be making a quick stop in Ireland to visit my daughter and her fiance in a little over a week. They have much planned for him for that Sunday. But on the Monday, while they work in Dublin, he's interested in seeing Glendalough. I've done some research here. But I've been unable to find a recommendation for a specific bus tour. Can anyone recommend one they've used and liked?

I know he's been doing some research on this himself. But Fodor's is always such a good place to get first-hand recommendations. I thought I'd see if I could get some good info to pass along to him.

Thanks!

Bus Eireann offers a day tour. I haven't taken it myself, but I've read several very favorable reviews. Go to http://tinyurl.com/5aqnyt and click on "Day Tours from Dublin."

Thank you, Tim! Both for the link and for telling me of good reviews.I was glad to see it also had info on other tours in case my brother decides something else would fit his time better.

You're welcome, CAPH52!

I've heard St. Kevin's Bus Service recommended several times. http://www.glendaloughbus.com/

You don't need a tour - just someone to get you there. In fact, it's better without a tour. Glendalough is a beautiful, mystical place best experienced without a large group.

I was there two weeks ago (drove there with my husband and kids). It is well worth the trip from Dublin!

Kelly

Thank you, Kelly! I'll pass along that link.

Hello! We took a "Wild Wicklow" tour to Glendalough last month. Having nothing to compare it to, it was very nice. Our tour guide was very knowledgable, and seemed to get us into a few areas other tours weren't going. However, I would have loved to have had another few hours to walk around on my own. It is a magical, beautiful place, and I'd suggest finding a tour that allowed more than 2-3 hours to wander.

Enjoy!

Thanks for your input, Margot. My brother's already at his conference. So I'm relying on my daughter to remember to pass this along to him when he gets there. But I'm going to tell her to let him know that both you and Kelly suggested finding a bus ride rather than a tour.

I'm so jealous of his getting to do this!

<i>You don't need a tour - just someone to get you there. In fact, it's better without a tour. Glendalough is a beautiful, mystical place best experienced without a large group</i>

Kelly- I SO agree. When I was there, it was a cold, misty March day. I sat down right in the middle of the cathedral and closed my eyes. I tell you true- I felt long-ago monks walking by me with lanterns. It gave me goosebumps. I've no doubt they were there.

OOps, tried to add this...

CAPH, make sure your bro knows the legend of St. Kevin's cross. If he can wrap his arms around it, he will have a wish come true.

Thanks, Paula. Now I'm even more jealous! Maybe next year when we go for the wedding.

I'll be there in four weeks -- and now, you're getting me REALLY excited!!!

Have a great trip, Songdoc!

I thought I'd check back in to say that, because the timing worked well, my brother did the Wild Wicklow tour.

He was very glad he got to see the area. But not so impressed with the tour. He said he didn't find the tour guide to be very engaging.

The tour stopped once for coffee and again for lunch. Since he very rarely eats lunch, for him, it was a bit of a time waster. He said had he been on his own, he would much rather have used the time from those two stops to further explore the Wicklow Mountains (with which he was very impressed).

So, basically, for anyone pulling this up looking for info on getting to Glendlough without a car, he very much agrees with those posters who said it's better to find a bus ride rather than a tour.

And, again, thanks to all of you who shared your info and your thoughts.