Noura N.United States
Well organized, kind and flexible guide, excellent knowledge. The drive was amazing. Not a thing to change. JOHN was the best.
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Private tour in Dublin John D
Glendalough and Guinness lake Tour from Dublin (Half Day option)
5.0
(10) reviews
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4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
John D.
5.0
Guide rating
86
Reviews
Tours delivered
4 hrs
Avg. response time
Dia Dhuit, hello and welcome to Ireland's Ancient East! I'm John D, also known as Johner D. I can't wait to guide you around a selection of the best to offer on Ireland's Ancient East Coast. I come from a typical large Irish family who migrated from Belfast in the 1970's to Dublin when I was the tender age of 6. My family owned, managed and lived above a famous early house pub on Dublin's quays for 10 years. I grew up as a Dubliner and know and love the city well. In early 2021 I decided to move out of the city and now live in the beautiful county of Wicklow. I moved here because I love this gentle, rugged wonderful space! If you want a piece of the west of Ireland without having to go there, then Wicklow is your place. Having spent most of my 30's and 40's travelling and living overseas both in mainland Europe and south-east Asia I understand the benefit and wealth of knowledge only a local guide can provide. I provide driving tours of Dublin and beyond visiting the best sites along Ireland's ancient east covering counties Dublin, Wicklow, Louth and Meath. I drive a brand new (2026) Ford Tourneo Connect wheelchair accessible vehicle with air con, its licensed as a taxi which means we can use bus lanes and city streets not open to regular car users! All my tours can be altered and tailored to meet your specific requests thus ensuring your time here on Ireland's Ancient East is fun, enriching and maximised to its full potential. Families and kids are most welcome. My vehicle actually has 2 additional seats (where a wheelchair can go) which are perfect for kids, so family tours up to six people are possible, however you need to contact me first to book as all my tours are advertised for 4 people. Why not drop me a line through the message button and let's get planning your visit to Dublin, Wicklow or anywhere along Ireland's Ancient East. Looking forward to meeting you … John. An experienced traveller with a law degree and background in business. Fully licensed and insured small public service vehicle driver and taxi license with Irish Police security clearance.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message John D.
Explore Glendalough, drive over Glenmacnass Waterfall and the Guinness lake in a half day.
Overview of your Dublin tour
Welcome to county Wicklow, the garden of Ireland and it's ancient east. I will drive and guide you around this beautiful county. Wicklow is renowned as the county on Ireland's east coast with breathtaking scenery. If your time in Ireland does not allow you to head west then this trip is a must as you will experience a taste of the west of Ireland in 1/2 day and its within easy reach of Dublin. Our drive will include the Wicklow mountains and valleys, it's stunning lakes including the infamous Guinness Lake (lough Tay) and the monastic village of Glendalough.
Recent Reviews
Kimberly L.United States
John was an amazing tour guide for our family. He was kind, attentive and shared so much information with us about Ireland as we traveled through Wicklow. If you are traveling to the area and are looking for a guide to take great care of you and your family, ask for John D.
Trisha B.United States
The tour was amazing - much more than I had anticipated. John was a fantastic tour guide and flexible with timing and itinerary.
Matthew C.
What an incredible side trip out of Dublin for the afternoon. Starting with our introduction, John was a gentleman and wanted us to have a great time. We saw so much in our four hour trip. John was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. MY whole family had a great time. It was a highlight of our trip to Ireland.
Jon H.Canada
Spent a wonderful day with John touring the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough. The country side is absolutely beautiful. John was a wealth of information and answered any questions we had. The trip to Glendalough was most informative. This was a nice change from organized shore excursions arranged by the cruise line. We can wholeheartedly recommend John as a guide.
Kathleen R.United States
We had an excellent time! Johner is an excellent guide full of knowledge and history. This was our second tour with him and would definitely book a third or more. We can't thank him enough for making our short visit to Dublin some our best days ever.
Your Dublin tour itinerary
-Pick-up from your accommodation between 9. 00 am and 1pm (earlier on request). -We will drive south from Dublin to Glendalough. This famous site was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century and its iconic round tower is over a 1200 years old! We have 11/2 to 2 hours here depending on traffic etc. -To start I will bring you to the visitor centre where you can watch a 15 minute audiovisual telling you the story of this sacred place. -We will then walk down and through the old ruins. You and your fellow travellers can then take a lake walk around this magnificent glacial valley. -From here we shall take a stunning drive up and around the Glenmacnass Waterfall over the Sally Gap until we reach the Guinness lake. There will be lots of opportunities for photo's along the way before driving back to Dublin. Please contact me if you want to customize this tour.
Want to customize this tour?
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Minivan
Transport will be in a brand new Ford Tourneo Connect wheelchair accessible vehicle. My Vehicle is licensed as a Taxi which allows us to use bus lanes and city streets that regular road users cant.
What's included
Other: Me as your tour guide and driver in a licensed E Class Mercedes taxi saloon with Air-con.
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Refreshments, snacks and entrance fee to audiovisual show
Meeting location
Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
Dublin accommodation or Cruise ship.
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Day Trip
Nature Wildlife And Safaris
History
City Highlights
Religious Sites
Tour reference number
852403
Languages
EnglishActivity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Traveller reviews
5.0
FAQs
Who is this private tour in Dublin best suited for?
This private tour is perfect for travellers interested in exploring the scenic beauty of County Wicklow, including Glendalough and the Guinness Lake. It's ideal for those who want a taste of Ireland's stunning landscapes within a short timeframe. The tour is also kid-friendly, making it a great option for families.
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in Dublin be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
Is transportation included?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What happens if a site is closed, crowded, or the weather changes?
What languages is this tour offered in?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
4 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- The remaining balance will automatically be charged to your credit card 30 days before your tour date.