Dublin to Cong, Co. Mayo, Ireland (Ashford Castle)

I haven't personally taken this route, but I am almost positive there is train service from Dublin to Galway. Then from Galway, I'd suggest having a private car/driver (or taxi) take you to Ashford.

Ashford Castle can recommend drivers for the leg from Galway to Cong, and I know one in Doolin who is excellent (who you could contact to see if he would be willing to do the drive for you: Tony McGann, Doolin Taxi). If you will subsequently traveling elsewhere within the western side of Ireland, Tony could drive you there, too. He drove multiple legs for us, with days off between legs when we had two-day stops, such as at Ashford .

You will absolutely LOVE Ashford Castle. If you haven't discovered the Hawk Walk that can be booked thru the School of Falconry right there on the Castle grounds, be sure to check into that....fabulous experience!! Info on Ashford's web site, and you can also find various YouTube videos of the experience.

If you don't want to drive, trains run from Dublin's Heuston train station (not Connolly station!) to Galway ever 2 hours and the journey takes 2.5 hours. On the majority of these trains, you won't have to change trains en route (check schedules online at: www.irishrail.ie). Once you reach Galway, the bus station is adjacent to the train station. Buses do run from Galway to Cong and the journey takes 1 hour (check schedules online at: www.buseireann.ie). There are also buses that could take you from Dublin to Cong that might not involve a change in Galway. But a train would be faster, at least as far as Galway. A train allows you to get up and walk around, while a bus is more cramped. A train is also not subject to traffic urban traffic congestion like a bus is. But whichever way you choose to go, just know that you'll need to budget at least 5 hours (probably longer) by public transport from the time you land in Dublin until the time you would arrive in Cong. That's a lot to deal with when you're jet-lagged and unfamiliar with the area. Consider spending a night in Dublin first to get over the jet-lag before you begin the public transportation. And ask Ashford Castle if they have any more direct options (shuttle vans?) that might be offered. But brace yourself for higher prices using their provided options instead of public transportation options.

Ashford Castle is absolutely the BEST.