My husband and I are planning a 4 - 5 day visit to Ireland in late March. We will be arriving in Dublin from Frankfurt. We have previously been to Ireland and explored the counties of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Clare.

I am interested in exploring other areas we haven’t yet been to. Ideally I would like to pick a place or two to use as our base then explore from there. We prefer visiting pubs, heritage sites and taking in the landscape rather than staying in a big city.

Recommendations on locations to explore and/or stay would be appreciated.

Co. Galway and Clare is stunning country. The Burren (Co . Clare) is wonderful, almost lunar landscape if you like the outdoors (March can be good but sometimes windy), and there is lots of pub trad music in that area (Google "Doolin&quot.

You can also check the Munster driving tour here:

http://www.hidden-dublin.com/tours/munster_index.html

and see if you missed anywhere! We loved Dursey Island, Castletownbere and the Beara penisula, not least since it is well off the tourist trail.

We absolutely loved the Connemara region of Ireland when we visited in May '07. Rolling hills, misty lakes, horses and sheep in open fields, wildflowers, waterfalls, etc. Postcard scenery, for sure. We based ourselves in Clifden, a wonderful little town not completely overrun by tourists and were able to do the Connemara Loop, explore the coastline and even venture into Cong, Co. Mayo from there. I highly recommend stopping at Kylemore Abbey (gorgeous!) and walking through Connemara National Park.

While we didn't make it as far north as Westport, that town would be another base for exploring the beautiful Mayo and Sligo region, I would think.

You should be able to see my trip report by clicking on my name and there's info about the area and some photos there. Good luck!

Would Co. Antrim be an option? The coast road, Devil's Causeway, the Glens.. very scenic, IMO.
Or would you prefer to focus on the ROI? If so, Co. Wicklow is right south of Dublin and also has many beautiful sights.

I agree that Connemara is absolutely lovely. I would describe it as "lovely and serene" though, not spectacular. Regardless, for some reason it was one of my fave places we visited while living in Dublin this summer. There is something captivating about the place.

I highly recommend Co. Antrim. Now THAT was SPECTACULAR!! Just an incredible experience (it helped that we had a fabulous, sunny day). We started at Larne and drove up the coast, then headed back to Dublin around Bushmills but wow, I wish we could have just kept driving along the coast for another day or so. I had no idea (nor do many others, I believe) it would be so fantastic.