12 day Ireland trip this May 2026 - Itinerary advice?

I assume you're not renting a car until you leave Dublin? You really won't need one there.

What time is your Dublin flight leaving to return to the USA? I am risk adverse so I wouldn't be in motion on that day and be much closer to the airport than Northern Ireland. I'd instead keep your activities in the Galway area instead of going to Northern Ireland and make your way back much closer to the airport on your last night. Remember that you will clear US immigration process in Ireland when you depart so you need to allow 3 hours at the airport.

If you decide to go to N. Ireland be sure to apply for and get ETA for all three of you. It is legally required whether or not it is ever checked. Here is a recent discussion on that topic https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/ireland/ireland-travel-uk-eta

Night 8, stay in Lisdoonvarna. For an outstanding dinner (not cheap, but outstanding), go to Wild Honey Inn.

Years ago, we did the Hawk Walk at Ashford Castle, north of Galway and maybe 20 miles from Glenn Abbey (where I’ve never been). From the looks of the fancy cars parked out front, I’d guess it’s not an inexpensive place to stay, but would likely be a great experience, and you could do the Hawk Walk, too - highly recommended. With just the one night at Glenlo, you wouldn’t have to go too far to establish yourselves for night. If you wanted to be a lot farther north for Night 10, the Ashford might night be right for you.

After visiting Northern Ireland, we had our last night in Trim before turning in the car at the Dublin Airport for our flight home.

@CL - Yes we are not renting the car until our last day in Dublin
@Cyn - Thank you for the recommendation of Ashford Castle - we had looked into them but they sadly do not have rooms that accommodate the three of us.
Our search continues! I appreciate your insights!

Driving from Dublin to Dingle without any detyours is going to take 5_+ hours PLUS time for stops (lunch and comfort breaks can easily add a couple of hours to that time...)

Doing a detour via either kilkenny bof Kinslae will add to that meaning you are hardly going to have any time in either place. Adding Kilkenny will add at least an extra hour to the drive. Kinsale even longer. If you seriously want to see either place then you need to consider an overnight in them...

Driving times in Ireland are slow and it will take a lot longer to cover distances than you might expect. Just finding somewhere to park can easily add in 15 minutes...

Spend night 8 somewhere around Doolin which will give time to explore trhe Burren. With its limestone scenery it is completely different to anywhere else in Ireland.

You fly out of Dubkin airport at 1pm. What time do you have to arrive for check in? Portrush to Dublin is going to take about 4 hours to drive - and don't forget you have to drop off the car too which will add extra time. That would mean a ridiculously early start to get to Dublin airport from there.

After a leisurely start to the trip ththose last two nightsa are beginning to sound very rushed. ISs it really worth while trying to include Northern Ireland in such a short time as you aren't going to have much time to see or do anything there. Glenio Abbey to Portrush is goiung to be 6+ hours drive PLUS time for stops.

There is so much else you could see in County Galway or Mayo rather than spending all your time doing a drivcing tour around Northern Ireland. (Don't forget Ireland and Northern Ireland are two separate countries. You will need an ETA to visit Northern Ireland.)

While in N. Ireland, recommend visiting The Giant's Causeway and The Rope Bridge.

I second Wasley's suggestion to skip Northern Ireland. You're doing way too much driving for the time you're there, and you're already missing the chance to spend anytime anywhere. Also, nobody mentioned that there might be a "wrong side of the road" learning curve which will slow you down a bit. A talking navigator (mobile or dash) is a tremendous help, which means you need roaming data with your carrier (often expensive) or making other arrangements (buying an esim, downloading maps while in WIfi, etc).

Thank you to everyone for your feedback!
We have retooled the itinerary accordingly, and are now looking at

Nights 1 through 3 in Dublin
drive to Dingle (via Rock of Cashel)
Nights 4 through 7 in Dingle
drive to Cliffs of Moher
Night 8 in ballyvaughn
drive to Donegal
Night 9 in Lough Eske
drive through Antrim Coast
Night 10 in Portrush or Ballymena/Glenarm Castle
drive to Portmarnock
Night 11 in Portmarnock
day 12 fly out of Dublin.

Still a bit crowded at the end, but not quite as much.

Are you sure your daughter wouldn't prefer to spend that time with grandma rather than in the car? This is A LOT of driving. You're trying to see both Dingle and the Antrim Coast (which are as far apart as two places can be in Ireland) in 11 days. While it's possible, I wouldn't want to be in the backseat of that car.
I recommend choosing sights and activities that will be enjoyable for your daughter:
1. the Giant's Causeway is a very fun place to visit and has a great myth around it.
2. a boat ride, maybe from Galway to the Aran Islands via the Cliffs of Moher. IME, kids are not impressed with cliffs. Some of them do enjoy boats, especially if they get to see some dolphins or puffins or something. There are also boats on the Shannon River that I think a kid would enjoy.
3. the beach. There are all kinds of beaches all over Ireland. Sandy one, rocky ones, ones with tide pools. Kids love the beach.
4. Sheep dogs, horses, hawks and other animals. Consider a farm stay?
5. Castles. I don't know if Glenlo Abbey is a child's idea of a castle. I'm not knowledgeable about castle stays. I prefer my castles ruined (e.g., Dun Luce, GC's neighbor).
6. Glamping. It's available all over Ireland. Wide variety of accommodation.