Daytrips from Dublin - To Group or Not to Group

Belfast is easy enough to get to either by train or bus from Dublin, so if you don't like being on a tour, that would be easy to do by yourself. I took a Giant's Causeway tour when I was staying in Belfast, and as someone who also hates being herded around on tours, I have to say I was very happy with McComb's. We had plenty of time to explore the Causeway, and also the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge. You mention you are based in Dublin for the trip - if there was any way to spend one night in Belfast, then you could come up from Dublin, spend the day touring Belfast, overnight, next morning go to the Giant's Causeway, and return to Dublin later that night. I also took a day tour through Wicklow with Wild Wicklow Tours, and I did really enjoy my time, but wished for more time at Glendalough. It was a great way to see all the scenery though. Next time I plan on using St Kevin's Bus Service, which is just transport only from Dublin to Glendalough. If you do choose to take a tour, I would not book through Viator, instead book directly with the tour company itself. Viator is basically a middle man, and I find it much easier to only be dealing with the company I am touring with, rather than a middle man.

If you can leave the decision until your arrival, you can check with the Tourist Information at the airport. They can show you a variety of tour options for the places you would like to see. Connemara is not a day trip from Dublin. Cliffs of Moher is doable lbut a VERY long day. You might consider spending a night or two in Galway to see both of those.

On the Bus Eireann tours I have been on you are not herded around by a group leader. They just take you to your destination and tell you what time to be back at the bus. You can take the guided tours offered by whatever site you are at or just go off on your own.
The idea of spending a day/night in Belfast and then going to the Causeway the next morning is a sound idea. You can do it as a day trip from Dublin but it makes for a long day.

Monique - Galway Tour Company had buses that went from Dublin to Galway for Tours to the Cliffs of Moher and Connemera. Also with 2 weeks in Dublin you may want to consider taking the bus to Galway and spending a few nights.

I think in your other post you mentioned there are about 15 in your group. With that many people, you may want to check with the Tourist Information Offices in Belfast, Dublin and Galway and find out the cost to charter your own driver with a small bus or a couple large vans for the days you want to get outside of the city and see places like Cliffs of Moher, Giant's Causeway or Connemara. Your driver can get you to where you want to go, but as it's just your own group, you don't have to follow some set schedule - so if you want to spend longer in one place than a traditional day tour operator might, you can. You can get to some of these places using public transportation, but October is outside of season so the days are shorter and weather in Ireland can turn on a dime. It beats having to wait by the side of a road for a bus to come along and get you, and for the cost that 15 would pay to join a guided day tour operator on a big coach bus, you can probably get your own driver who will point out a few things here and there along the way, but isn't going to herd you around the sights with a flag reprimanding you if you aren't back at the bus ready to leave by a specific time. In agreement that 2 weeks in just Dublin is a long time when a lot of what you really want to see is out in the West or up in Northern Ireland. Catch a train to Belfast and/or Galway and base your group for a few nights and day trip from there. Both are great cities with terrific nightlife and ample accommodation within walking distance of the train/bus stations for your group.

Thanks so much everyone. Your suggestions were very helpful! I should have added in my original post that "duty calls" for us to be in Dublin for the entire 2 weeks and staying overnight somewhere isn't really an ideal option. I know that limits us somewhat but I was trying to see if it could work.
Meantime, I like the idea of renting a private car/driver. Does anyone have experience with that? I wouldnt know what constitutes a good price ...or even where to go to find one. Thanks!