my daughters and i have been researching for a trip from shannon to giants causeway/ back to dublin. we've narrowed our trip to:

* 4/23 -4/24 flying in to Shannon (already have the tickets... can't change that.

staying in doolin 2 nights. 1st day cliffs, burren, castles. 2nd day aran islands

* 4/25 driving to westport. climb croagh patrick

* 4/26 driving to londonderry

* 4/27- 2 nights in portrush/ portstewart (giants causeway, rope bridge, bushmill

when we leave there on the 29th we will head back down to dublin. our departing flight on may 3. so we have 4 days left. we'd like to spend 2 nights in dublin. suggestions for 4/29 and 4/30 on the way to dublin? or go to dublin and perhaps train to cork for a day?

does this trip sound duable??

I think you are moving up the west coast too quickly, by allowing only a single night in Westport en route Doolin to Londonderry. Londonderry is quite close to the attractions on the North Antrim coast by the way.
Your plan to make rapid progress to the north and then leave you with spare days before departure is not well balanced. You could base yourself in Dublin for the four days, using two to explore the city and two for day trips to say the sites at Newgrange and Glendalough. A train daytrip to Cork would consume far too much time in transit.
Alternatively, you could devote three days to progress northwards (using the Wild Atlantic Way), spend 2/3 nights in Northern Ireland and your last 2 in Dublin.

Agree, perhaps a bit too much travel time. From Dublin a trip north to Newgrange and south to Glendlough well worth it. And yes do enjoy Dublin itself as did we. Won't list details but there is much to see and do. Anyone like Irish pub music? Oh yes, since arriving Shannon why not explore that area down to Killarney and up to the Burren?

After Doolin I would explore Galway and maybe spend a little more time in county Mayo.
http://www.belleek.com/us/belleek-visitors-centre/

I would stop and visit here on the way north. Something I have always wanted to do. Add a night on in Belfast. I love Dublin and you will have no problem finding things to do. Leave the rental car at the airport and bus into the city though. Sounds like a great trip.

My concern, at that time of year, would be the trip to the Arans. Sailings from Doolin are longer and MUCH more weather dependent.
My suggestion would be to do Night one in Doolin (although Ennis would be my preference) and then 2 nights in Galway. You can do Inis Mor from there, either by ferry or small plane.
Pick up your plan from there, spending the remaining extra night in/around Belfast, or in Carlingford.

http://www.fahertytours.com/aran-islands.php

This was a great tour of Inis Mor. They pick you up at the Galway bus station, take you to ferry rt and when you get there they have a van to tour you around the island. Everything was included in price. It was good because Michael lives there and knows the island. He also works with the film industry for filming locations. The ferry is bigger than the one in Doolin so less motion. I love this island because of the cliffs and fort. There is a seal colony and lovely views.

Inis Mor from Galway -- There are shuttle buses that run from Eyre Square to the Ferry Port AND the airport

Ferries: http://www.aranislandferries.com/

Air: http://www.aerarannislands.ie/
Alternative, from Doolin: http://www.doolinferries.com/

Because, it is, after all, YOUR trip! ;-)