reenster

I'm tagging along with my husband on a work trip to Dublin end of March and would love some suggestions for the itinerary. He will be arriving in Dublin for work 5 days prior to me, so jet lag for him is not going to be an issue and he will be the one driving. Unfortunately, because of his work schedule we will not have much time, but want to make the most with what we have. We want to do and see as much as possible without feeling rushed. I realize with our time constraints we will be just scratching the surface. Interested in any and all input. Hotels (we are set in Dublin), food (we like anything from hole in the walls to Michelin - as long as the food is good), tours and anything else you can think of. Here is how the trip breaks out. Thank you in advance!

Day 1 - I arrive in Dublin in the evening and we stay there overnight
Day 2 through Day 4 drive to the West. This is where I need the most help. Want to see Ireland countryside and Cliffs of Moher. Thinking these 2 nights we stay in Galway and explore the area there. Or should we do just 1 night in Galway and another night somewhere else?
Day 5 - we are driving up (through Connemara?) to Ashford Castle for the night which is on my bucket list.
Day 6 - we have the day to explore but have to be back in Dublin that night as my husband has work meetings first thing in the morning
Day 7 and part of Day 8 - I'm on my own in Dublin. Interested in museums, good food, maybe a little shopping
Day 9-10 in Dublin with my husband. Guinness tour. Maybe a quick day trip somewhere?
Day 11 - fly out in the morning

Tony2phones

You don't see much of the Connemara on a drive from Galway to Cong unless you take a full day heading out along the N59 to Clifden for the Sky Road, up past the National Park and Doamond Hill and then Kylemore Abbey, along Killary Fjord to Leenane. From there to Cong you can drop to Maam and the 345. Personally I would cut over past Joyces sheep dogs to the 300 and by Lough Mask and Clonbur.

To see more of the Connemara you could spend the night in Clifden and have a night out with the locals, could be stark contrast to Ashford.

Edward2005

When I last visited Dublin in 2004, there was a group out of Trinity College leading superb walking tours. I took two: one was a general history of Dublin and the other focused on 1916-21. Historical Walking Tours of Dublin was the group's name; I don't know if they are still around.

Ozarksbill

Lovely Ireland! It may press you timewise but do see the West Coast, e.g.,Kilarney. Like Celtic music, pub bands? Dublin has lots. We wandered around in Dublin on foot, trad places like Trinity College & Book of Kells, Nat'l Gallery, Christ Church, Dublin Castle...and a bit of rebellion history at Kilmainham Gaol. Forget Guinness tour I would say. As for day trip with DH, for sure either Glendalough to the south or Bru na Boinne to the north.

reenster

Thanks so much, all! Does anyone know drive times between Dublin and Kilarney, then Kilarney and Galway? Like I said, we want to see as much as possible but don't want to drive all day either.

Tony2phones

Both could take/fill a couple of days.

But straight driving,
Dublin to Killarney probably 4 1/2 or 5 hours.
Killarney to Galway about 3 1/2 hours
and Galway to Dublin 2 1/2 on a good day

reenster

Thanks, Tony. So would you suggest heading straight to Galway from Dublin and eliminating Killarney given our time constraints?

Tony2phones

You have 3 1/2 days between leaving Dublin and checking into Ashford Castle.

Then you have 1/2 a day an overnight and 1/2 the next day for Ashford and its options.

I don't know what time you husband finishes work on Day 1 or if you will have somewhere to get a bit of shut eye after your flight. But the last train from Dublin Heuston to Killarney leaves at 7pm. If you caught that you could be in Killarney for 10.15 that night? So Day 2 you could take a tour from Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Gap of Dunloe or Dingle. Or explore on your own, Muckross, National park etc.
1st train to Killarney leaves @ 7am but you would be in too late to take most tours.

Day 3 rent a car from Killarney (Budget) or Kerry Airport (all operators)and make your way north, maybe see some of west Clare, Galway would be possible but its a long day. Possibly stay Ballyvaughan or Kinvara?

Day 4 aim for Clifden for the night calling into Galway and taking the N59, few options on that route. Check in grab something to eat and maybe do the Sky Road to the Viewpoint for Sunset, Back into Clifden for some music.

Day 5 past the National park and Kylemore Abbey on the way to Ashford.

Day 6 after lunch make your way back to Dublin, possible calls, Clonmacnoise, the Distilleries by Tullamore or Belvadere house? Drop the car in Dublin or the airport. If you rent from Budget in Killarney you could drop at Budget in Galway and get the express bus back to Dublin.

Day trip from Dublin either Glendalough and Wicklow or Newgrange and Knowth.

reenster

Thank you so much Tony and others! You have been super helpful!

Tony2phones

Just a thought.
Late March? Good Friday is the 25th so no pubs open and restaurants might be limited. Tours run over Easter but it might well be busier. Dublin will be busier with the 2016 Centennial events.