ireland

A few questions and comments: How long is your whole trip? Do you have to arrive and depart from Dublin, or can you land in Shannon and leave from Dublin? Where do you plan to play golf? Are you planning to rent clubs or are you bringing them? Two nights in Galway is only one full day, which you plan to use for golf. Did you want to see anything in Galway? The ferry to Aran Islands actually leaves from Rossaveal, so you need to get there from Galway. I have never coordinated taking the Rossaveal ferry over and the Doolin ferry back, if that is what you are suggesting, so you need to check into the timing of that. Also, be aware that bad weather or rough water can cancel the ferries all together, so have a Plan B for that day in case you can't go. Doolin is also several miles away from the Cliffs of Moher, so you will need to look at bus schedules (www.buseireann.ie) to see how to get there from Doolin, and then on to Bunratty. Honestly, renting a car is the best way to see the west. Otherwise you will spend a lot of time waiting on buses (and schlepping your bags everywhere). You would need to rent in Galway, since you won't find rentals in Doolin or Bunratty. But with six adults and luggage, you might want to consider two cars (at least). If you rent in Galway, your ferry plan for Aran Islands will be to and from Rossaveal, since you can't take a car on the ferry. So allow driving time after that to get to Doolin. Giant's Causeway is not a day trip from Dublin, and I don't believe you can get by train. I think you can train to a point, then take a bus (I have always driven, so I am not sure about public transport.) If it were me, I would skip Giant's Causeway because it is the outlier in your plan, and you really don't have time for it.

Yes, I agree about deleting Giants Causeway. we would be better suited to focus on the other locations mentioned. Golf will be a morning event. What are your suggestions for Galway?

It is tough to answer your question without some of the background information I asked for. You really need to think about all of the steps involved in what you are planning. I asked about golf clubs - have they made any reservations at courses? Have you looked at a map and at ViaMichelin.com to see how far things are from each other (add 25% for a more realistic estimate of driving time)? Have you sat down and plotted out how long each activity will take to see whether it fits in your timeframe? I'm concerned that you are leaving soon and haven't even settled on how to get from place to place. Six people aren't as mobile as one or two. When do you leave, and how long is your trip?

We arrive on a Saturday and depart the following Saturday. Our flights are both in and out of Dublin. We hope to rent clubs. I have emailed courses for tee times but have not heard back yet. We are not of the mindset to linger for hours looking at scenery, but just enough to appreciate. I would prefer not to drive, however tours do not seem to play well into my plan. We have lodging reservations so we are in Galway, Kerry, and Dublin. Hope that puts it in perspective.