@ kcoyne123 - Don't worry! You can do this, and in fact much of the "work" (high-level planning) has already been done for you and is available for free just a few clicks away. So relax, pour yourself a cup of Bailey's or your choice of refreshment, and follow along...
You've got about 10 full days. That's a little on the short side (but not as short as many try to do Ireland in) so you'll need to make some choices and tradeoffs, but it's certainly doable. I would begin this way: 1. Check out Rick's suggested itinerary ideas (see below), then using that as a starting point, get (if you don't already have it) the latest Rick Steves Ireland guidebook.
1) On this here website, look at the navigation panel at upper-left. Click Explore Europe > under "Countries" click "Ireland" > in the main (center) section scroll down and click "Plan" to expand the Plan section > click "Ireland: Recommended Itinerary". Viola, there's your starting point (direct link here).
You can follow Rick's recommendations closely or loosely, it's your trip so make your own choices. Note that some (many) folks regard Rick's suggested itineraries are pretty aggressive (fast-moving), and some folks prefer to slow down a bit (you probably shouldn't go faster than he suggests, the suggested pace is for folks willing to get up early each day to try to maximize their time in Europe). You may make different choices about where to go, but the suggested itineraries make a great first draft/rough plan that you can customize.
2) About the guidebook: Guidebooks are cheap in the scheme of your trip, it'll not only save you the cost of the book many, many times over, more importantly it'll give you a MUCH better trip. Use the book for planning and bring it with you for day-to-day use - it's money very well spent.
I'll add just a few tips from personal experience and learned from wise, experienced travelers here:
You have days planned in Dublin at both the beginning and end of your trip. You will make better use of your time if you don't do that (be in Dublin) twice. Since you have to be there at the end of your trip - the night before your flight home (so you don't miss your flight), when you arrive in Dublin, don't stay; push straight on to Galway. Flights almost always arrive in the morning or around mid-day. You're going to be jetlagged and tired from the flight so on your arrival day you won't be at 100% (for some, pretty wiped out). Don't expect too much of yourself on arrival day, but don't completely waste it either: use it to push on all the way to your actual destination, without stopping to rest up after the flight. So get on a bus direct to Galway (there's also a train, but I think the bus is a better, more efficient and convenient choice). It's super easy, comfy, relaxing and to me a no-brainer. Get off the bus in Galway, check into your B&B, go walk around the pleasant town in the fresh air, and try hard to stay awake until after dinner. Sleep deeply, and wake up with a smile - your Ireland trip actually starts that next (first) morning. END your trip in Dublin, because, well, you have to. Pushing on to Galway after your flight effectively buys you an extra day.
Ireland is awesome, you and your family will have a great time. Hope this helps get you started.
