How many days do you have total? If you have limited time (a week or less) and want to concentrate on the west coast - stick to the west coast. There is no rule one must visit Dublin.

What other destinations. what are your interests and how long altogether.

Galway is a great base for a massive area with good road links and lots of features on the doorstep as it were. But why go to New York if you only plan to visit Times Square?

I loved Galway Bay:

And I did walk the Claddagh !!

If you ever go across the sea to Ireland,
Then maybe at the closing of your day,
You will sit and watch the moonrise over Claddagh,
And see the sun go down on Galway Bay

Just to hear again the ripple of the trout stream,
The women in the meadows making hay,
And to sit beside a turf fire in the cabin,
And watch the barefoot gossoons at their play,

(gossoon is a boy )

We will spend 7 or 8 nights in Ireland.
Flying into Cork and out of Dublin.

So far thinking about 2 nights in Killarney and 2 nights in Dingle. Our last night in Dublin since we are flying out early for the States.

That leaves us 2 or 3 nights. Any suggestions.B&Bs? Castles?
We like nature (not too much walking), history, pubs, great food and unique experiences. Considering the Hawk Walk at Aillwee Caves.

On our tour in Oct 2011 we found that we got to see everything we wanted to see in 2 full days in Dublin. In my opinion, the places worth seeing are the Gaol, Dublin Castle, Guinness, Jamison, St Patricks, and Christchurch. We had time in the evenings for some delightful music in the pubs. The Temple Bar is a fun area in the evenings for the younger crowd. We stayed near Trinity College. Dublin was very walkable from there.

I agree with bean11 .. but you want to see Trinity College also

especially the Library and Book of Kells.

Do you want the rest of the Galway Bay Song !!

ttandy on Feb 23, 13 at 10:10am
Any suggestions.B&Bs? Castles?
We like nature (not too much walking), history, pubs, great food and unique experiences.

The best chowda I ever had was at Ryan's FXB Grills in Dublin. Do do the Guinness Storehouse, a museum describing how they make it including a pint of the freshest stout you'll ever put in your pie hole. The B&B Phoenix Park House was pleasant, along with the traditional Irish B&B breakfast.

Before you leave Cork go out to Blarney Castle and climb the stairs (?) to kiss the stone. That is unique. The photo in my profile shows me in the act. They charged me €18 for two photos, but you are not obligated to buy. There is a souvenir shop there also, full of all the Irish stuff you'll ever need. It's a 25 minute city bus ride from downtown.