Booked last minute airfare into Dublin for end of March. Trying to create plan that's not too crazy. South? or West? Will not spend any meaningful time in Dublin. We have four full days as well as two half days on travel ends.
We are comfortable driving on left (as well as distance up to 4 hours) and have been before (though my partner has only been to Dublin/Belfast/Causeway coast/Derry/Donegal (recently).
I've done Connemara north to Westport as well as Galway south (cliffs of mother/ RofK) to Dingle/Killarney/Kinsale to Waterford (but not Cobh) as well as Wicklow/Glendalough all more than 20 years ago and we plan to repeat this area as it's new to my partner and I'm sure it's changed dramatically.
Initial thinking is head south - wicklow mountains / glendalough and stay in Kilkenny. Then heading west and south to Killarney and deeply exploring Dingle, Kerry cliffs (haven't been) and north as far as lahinch before spending last night near Dublin airport.
or
Second option is heading toward Athlone (also have never been) for first night then heading west/north -- deeply explore Galway coast/ Connemara goes as far north as Westport before heading back toward Dublin for last night. Perhaps Strokestown? really out of the way, but would really like to visit this landmark.
We don't expect sunny days are prepared for weather and are also fine (in fact happy) with off the beaten path a bit -- we LOVED Donegal and frankly missed too much. Is Dingle over run? Kerry Cliffs a better less touristy experience than moher? Cobh wort a visit?
Our main interests are the stunning scenery (which we know we will get with both options), at least one pub with music at night, one high end hotel experience, as well as historical sites/castles/ring forts/ruins.
Open to opinions on which area to focus. Thanks in advance.