Trying to plan a spring trip to Ireland which would include stops in Galway as that is where my husband's family is from, and Dublin because, well, it's Dublin. Rather than ask how many nights in each you would recommend because they answer is of course a lot, can I ask what your favorite things to do, see, experience are in each of those cities. We are particularly history obsessed, and love a good museum/gallery as well as gardens and just walks. thanks (oh and Irish music !!!)

Next spring* is a long way away so for music keep an ey on the following websites. These will also give you information on what exhibitions are on during your visit.
https://www.visitdublin.com/whats-on
https://dublin.ie/whats-on/
https://thisisgalway.ie/events/
https://www.galwaytourism.ie/galway-events-calendar/
*Spring is a long time period maybe you could provide some dates?

2 or 3 nights in Dublin, depending on flights.
1 night in Galway city.
The real beauty & heart of Ireland can be found out of the cities, so suggest car rental or joining a tour or two.

Thanks, I'm thinking mid May. any favorite places to visit in Galway or Dublin? We are planning on spending at least a week in the countryside

Hi Laura,

Galway is small, but suggest a walk out to Salthill to see the nice views.
Dublin city centre also quite small. Suggest a walking tour, Guinness brewery, Kilmainham, Phoenix Park.
If you have time for more, visit Celbridge, Howth, Glendalough & Glencullen for some different experiences.

Enjoy!

Kilmainham Gaol museum was so moving.
The National Photographic Archives was really, really interesting, a very worthwhile few minutes of history.
The National Gallery of Art is great, much better than I expected. I don’t know why, but I had not anticipated the work there.
Of course, you will want to visit Trinity Library.

thanks all. Did I read correctly that Trinity Library is closed for renovations?

My favourite things in Galway:

an informal trad section where the locals just showed up to play.

Inishmore and Dun Aonghasa: our highlight of the whole trip. We took the ferry from Galway to the islands and rented bikes to see Dun Aonghasa. Forget the cliffs of Moher: those views from the old fort are unbeatable.

Thanks Kleeblat both ideas sound great. Did you stay in Galway town itself?

Yes but I can’t remember where. There’s a Catholic Church in Galway that still honors JFK and has a shrine for him inside the church. It’s worth seeing.

sweet!