Our next May Ireland trip is all set EXCEPT for deciding whether to spend two nights in Belmullet and explore the peninsula or two nights on Achill. They both have great walks and views, and we'll get one night of likely trad session music in either place. Both itineraries are preceded by Sligo via Céide Fields, Downpatrick, and Moyne Abbey and followed by Aasleigh Falls on the way to Inishbofin (slight over-simplification), so it's just peninsula versus island.
We like moderate hikes, Neolithic sites, scenery, ruins, and pubs and not particularly interested in posh castles or working abbeys. We own border collies and have lots of raptors around our house. We've been in the area before so other nearby must see/dos have mostly been ticked, although suggestions wouldn't hurt.
Please comment if you can compare them. Telling me how wonderful xxx was doesn't help very much. I only considered Belmullet because it made a list of the "10 most under-visited spots" in the the Irish Times awhile back.
Thanks,