We are arriving in Dublin, taking the gobus directly to Galway. You can rent a car there if you don't feel confident about driving the first day. Staying there as a base for four nights and then headed to Balluycotton for five nights and then back to Dublin for four ngihts. We were back and forth between Galway and Dingle but we really wanted to go to Inismor for the day so that won out.

Thank you Macross this is a very helpful!

Will you rent a car? What are your interests? Cities, scenery, museums, food, pubs, music? Do you like to move fast and cover lots of ground or more slowly and immerse yourself in one or two places?

I was typing in the dark. We have been to Galway several times I like using it as a base for trips but you have so many choices for evening music and places to eat.