We will be visiting Budapest beginning May 5. We can be there 4 1/2 days and 3 days in Dublin, or 5 1/2 days in Budapest and 2 days in Dublin. Dublin wasn't on the radar initially, but we could get an inexpensive inter-Europe flight from Budapest to Dublin, and will be flying back to the US from there. We figured we may not ever get to Ireland, and why not, even though its just a sip. So James, you seem to be one of the RS experts on Budapest, and probably preferential to Budapest, but can one get a good feel for BUD in 4 1/2 days or is another day needed. We would like to do the baths one day and the trip to the little villages outside of town another. We like markets, gardens, and walking on narrow little streets in the Old town, and perusing interesting little shops, toys, handicrafts etc, and of course bakeries and charming local restaurants.
Perhaps you haven't been to Dublin, but hopefully someone that has done both these cities can advise me soon. For Dublin I have done little research at this point, so am thinking one day in the Old Town, and one or two days on excursions into the countryside. We usually rent a car, but our minds at this age are too engrained to drive on the "right" side of the road, so not willing to take the risk.
Thanks to all for your suggestions.