Ireland · WATERFORD CRYSTAL TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 8 waterford crystal tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Tour the House of Waterford Crystal for about 50 minutes with a guide such as Amy or Mary. Watch mold making, blowing, cutting, sculpting, and engraving in the working factory, then browse 12,000 square feet of crystal displays and stop at the café.
“You get a great tour of the Warerford master crystal craftsman working inside the factory making more historical and beautiful creations. Great Tour!”
Leave Dublin Heuston Station by reserved train for Kilkenny, where you have time for the castle, cathedral, food, or shopping. Continue to Waterford Crystal to watch artisans blow and cut glass, then return by rail with guide Paddy McArdle.
“Our guide Paddy McArdel was excellent. He helped us understand the history and knew all the town’s people. We went through the castle, churches ⛪️ and restaurants. The Waterford factory tour was wonderful”
Travel from central Dublin to Waterford Crystal and medieval Kilkenny in about nine hours. Watch glass-blowers work beside a 1,400°C furnace, then join a guided Kilkenny walk with time for the castle, cathedral, Black Abbey, cafés, or rose gardens. Groups are capped at 16.
“We had a wonderful time on this trip. Our 7 and 10 year olds loved seeing how Waterford crystal is made as we have collected many pieces over the years. We even had 5 minutes to walk down the block to take a quick picture with the vikiRead more”
Travel from Dublin to Waterford Crystal and Kilkenny in a private car with an English-speaking guide. See crystal showrooms, Kilkenny Castle, the Medieval Mile, and the Design Centre at your own pace, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.
“Our driver, Willy was wonderful. On time and waited for us at all the sites. He also communicated ahead of the trip and answered questions quickly. We learned a lot about the area, thanks to Willy.”
Spend about 6.5 hours with a private local guide visiting Kilkenny Castle, Rothe House, medieval lanes, and the House of Waterford Crystal. Guides such as Brian, Brede, Bianka, and Michael can shape the day around your group, with port or hotel pickup, admission fees, and return transport included.
“Wonderful guide! Our guide was very knowledgeable and flexible. He is from the area and knows the history and culture - very informative. He gave us a really great tour and taste of Waterford and the Kilkenny area. Highly recommend this tour.”
Travel from Dublin with a private chauffeur guide in a Mercedes E or S Class to Waterford Crystal, where you see glass blowing, cutting, and polishing. Walk around Waterford, stop for lunch, then visit Kilkenny Castle and gardens before returning to Dublin. Zac and Taufeeq are named guides.
“Waterford Crystal was on my wife’s “must do” list and the tour did not disappoint. Our driver was knowledgeable about the area and we had lunch in Kilkenny. A wonderful time.”
Travel from Dublin to Waterford and Kilkenny in a small group of up to 14. Watch crystal craftsmen shape red-hot glass, take a private Kilkenny walking tour, and return to Dublin by 6pm. Guides such as Mick, John, and Tony have shaped different guest experiences.
“Our trip to Waterford/Kilkenny was super! The crystal-making process was fascinating to see and Kilkenny was very interesting with a lot of history. Perhaps the best part of the whole trip was our bus driver, Mick, who had a wealth of information about things along the way and about Irish history. A great sense of humor also!”
Meet your private guide at Dublin Heuston Station for an early train to Kilkenny, then continue to Waterford Crystal. You’ll see Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral, the Medieval Mile, Reginald’s Tower, and the crystal centre before returning to Dublin by rail.
“I was disappointed that we were not able to take the train. But we had a local driver who made the tour flexible and fun. Kilkenny Castle was the best castle experience we had in Ireland. And the Waterford Crystal Tour was amazing. We bought crystal that they shipped home at no expense for us.”
Pick a coast road, a castle or a counter.
