1st trip to Ireland
 

In late May, we will arrive in Dublin at 6am. We plan to drive to Belfast to visit family and spend 3 days in Northern Ireland, seeing Belfast, Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Antrim Coast, Derry. We will then drive to Galway area for 3-4 nights, before spending last 2 nights in Dublin. I am looking for suggestions for the Galway area part of the trip, as well as any other suggestions, including where to stay. Thanks!

You could break up the trip and stay in Sligo for the night. Something along the coast there would be beautiful. Westport and Clifden are also very scenic.

If I ferry into Belfast, heading towards Galway by car (don't do it in the van, too winding) I cut the corner to the M6 taking the N52 towards Tullamore (I actually stay on there to Birr but I live south east of Galway)

As to Galway. West of Galway you have the Connemara https://goo.gl/UL09QA South of Galway, west Clare https://goo.gl/UtW24m and off shore the Aran Isles well Inis Mor the regular day trip tour from Galway.

Thanks for your input. Does this sound reasonable?

Arrive Dublin 6am. Pick up rental car. Head to Belfast, stopping along the way at Newgrange. Spend 3 nights in area, seeing Belfast, Antrim coast sights, Derry.

Leave early on day 4, spend day driving, arrive in Clifden for 2 nights.

Day 6 Galway

Day 7 Cliffs of Moher, The Burren. Stay in Kinvara. Dunguaire Castle Banquet looks like fun, is it too hokey?

Day 8, 9 Dublin

Day 10 Early flight home from Dublin

What do you want to see/do in Belfast? could you just have 1 night there and 2 Portrush (vice versa)
From Portrush to Donegal/Sligo/Ballina depending on sights along the way for 1 night
Clifden 2 nights, drive through Galway with a quick stop to Kinvara. Yes the banquet is fun and not oversubscribed like the Bunratty Corn barn equivalent. Kinvara is also a good town for a night out in general.

Its all a bit tight but possible and I have seen more crammed into the same space.

I think they are visiting family in Belfast.
Sounds good and think you will like staying in Clifden. Have been to Kinvara but not the banquet. I have heard it is better than Bunratty.

Sorry forgot that, ignore my last answer.
Is Dublin set for the departure airport or do you have the option of Shannon? If so Belfast~Dublin~Clifden/Galway~home from SNN?

We bought an amazing airfare from NY to Dublin round trip. I would have preferred to fly into Dublin and leave from Shannon, but the deal was too good to pass on!