First Trip- Itinerary Advice

I would suggest flying in and out of Shannon and not Dublin, because the areas you are interested in seeing are much closer to Shannon. You can pick up a car at Shannon airport.

Ditto on Shannon Airport, as you'll have more time to see the sites you want. With a car rental it also makes the logistics much simpler. The West coast is where the great majority of Ireland's grand scenery, culture, Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking pockets), trad music, etc. are anyway.

For day #4, I recommend driving (or hiring a tour guide) to take in part or all of Connemara, a good two days plus of driving along the 110 mile loop on the N59 west out of Galway. Connemara is the most beautiful part of Ireland in my experience. You could overnight in Clifden, an attractive, lively town at the loop's west end.

Have you considered visiting one of the Aran Islands? Ferries depart from Doolin as well as from Rossaveel west of Galway.

Agree with David—stay in Connemara. Many beautiful drives there as well as Connemara National Park. Sky Road out of Clifden, then up to Killary Fjord, through the Doo Lough Valley to Croagh Patrick is a great day out. The village of Cong, Kylemore Abbey and Westport are other great places to explore. You can also take a ferry from Cleggan to the island of Inishbofin. Lots to do in one of the most beautiful areas of Ireland.

Good idea to go straight to Galway on arrival day, but I'd suggest Aircoach straight from Dublin Airport, rather than going into the city to get a train. You'll be there in a couple of hours.

Days 2 and 3 -- The Cliffs and Burren can be seen (by land) in just a day. That frees up a day for the Aran Islands or Connemara. Or to see the Cliffs from the ocean. This ferry from Doolin offers a combination tour. (I didn't take it, took the ferry from Rossaveal which was excellent.)

Rather than adding Dingle or Killarney to this busy schedule, I'd suggest splitting days 4-6 between Galway (as a base) and Dublin. That gives you more time for Connemara/Cliffs/Burren/Aran, saves you a long drive south and a hotel change, and allows either a scenic drive across to Dublin or a Galway-Dublin train (2 hours). And there's plenty to see and do in Dublin for whatever time you can give it.

Too bad you don't have more time, but hopefully you'll return.

Edit -- See this current thread about the Doolin/Cliffs/Aran option.

Hi from Wisconsin,
If you can change your flight to Shannon, that is a good idea. If not, a coach from the airport saves you getting into Dublin, and that can be time consuming.

Katheryne, I think I have that spelled close enough for you to know the earlier responder, we will call her Kate, has a excellent suggestions. She mentions all the places I would. N59 out of Galway gets interesting beyond Oughterard. If you drive back to Galway from Cong, do not take the roads east of the lake. Not much there, better to take small roads from Cong to Maams Cross. Also don't go south of Maams Cross and then east along Galway Bay to get back to Galway. You would think that would be interesting, it just isn't.

A tip about driving. Once you are on the road it is obvious where you should be. If you try driving in the right hand lane, as a driver, you know immediately something is wrong. It is nice to have a person riding shotgun who doesn't constantly gasp, but who will do three things for you. 1. remind you to get in the left when you start up the car. 2. Parking in Ireland allows you to park on either side. 3. the other time for caution is right hand turns at intersections. A left hand turn is simple, left lane to left lane. But right hand is far lane to FAR lane.

enjoy
wayne iNWI

We are doing something similar in a couple weeks with our 26 year old son, his first visit! We booked airline tickets to Dublin and can't change them. Our original plan was to rent car/drive to Galway day one (we've both driven in Ireland before). Now thinking the bus/train option sounds better to Galway. We are staying in a what will hopefully be a charming airbnb near the promenade. We will rent a car to drive to Cliffs, round of golf at Lahinch and then day in Connemara before driving it back to Dublin.

We are staying in Dublin three nights where we'll do Guinness Storehouse and then son must watch ManCity play in some finals Saturday night. Day trip to Newgrange Sunday...booked Grafton Hotel and at The Fitzwilliam for all three nights (will cancel one) but thinking now we might stay closer to airport Sunday night with a 10am flight.

Some questions:
How much time to allow for arrival in Dublin before bus departure? if we land at 845a; is 1030a bus possible?
Has anyone used a private car service to Galway from Dublin?
Hotel recommendations in downtown Dublin for Friday/Sat night and an airport hotel for Sunday night?
Other thoughts?
Thanks!

Do try and see the Cliffs of Moher from the sea rather than land. I was terribly disappointed when we visited. The cliffs were very very busy asnd you don't really get the full feel of their height from the top.Think about doing this as a combined boat trip with the Aran Islands...

Driving from Galway to Dublin- stop at Athenry, described as one of the best medieval towns in Ireland with ruined castle, abbey ruins and wall and then at the early Christian site of Clonmacnoise.