Ireland in May - 7 days
 

My husband and I will be traveling to Ireland in May for our 14th anniversary and it is our first trip to Ireland - so excited....maybe too excited. We fly in to Dublin and fly out of Dublin. Here is what I WANT to do - please let me know if I am CRAZY! Spend first day/night in Dublin (hotel booked). Next morning drive to Bushmills (my family is from Antrim and so I really want to see the Antrim Coast) and stay overnight in a B&B. Next morning (and here is the clencher) drive to Doolin (Cliffs of Moher, the Burren) stay at a B&B here for 2 nights to recoup from that drive. Day 5 drive up to Ashford Castle (booked for this night), I think this is in County Mayo. Day 6 drive back to Dublin (hotel booked). Day 7 - leave for home. Does this sound do-able? Please help me tweak my itenerary if necessary. Thanks!

aaroadwatch.ie shows Bushmills to Doolin as 249 miles. Now those are Irish miles, not, for example, Texas miles so you may plan on 8 hours of driving time. Then you add in lunch, comfort breaks, "Oh, stop, we just have to get a picture of THAT!" and before you know it you have used up a big chunk of one of your precious 6 days on the ground in Ireland.

Ashford Castle is in Co. Galway. Why not take two more leisurely days getting there? Day one perhaps to Sligo (lots to see and do around that area) and then check out Counties Sligo, Mayo and Galway on the way to the Castle on Day 2.

You won't get to see much of the Antrim coast if you drive from Dublin and then leave early the next morning headed south.

Here's what I think I would consider:
Day 1 Dublin
Day 2 Drive to Antrim coast
Day 3 Explore Antrim coast
Day 4 Drive to Sligo or Enniskillen
Day 5 Drive to Ashford Castle
Day 6 Drive to Dublin

Lots more driving than I like but you are somewhat boxed in with your bookings.

Hey, you're going to Ireland!!! Enjoy! My first three visits were Green Blur Tours with 10 nights in 10 different B&Bs and I lived to tell the tale. Everything is beautiful in May and you'll have a great time.

jaja's itinerary is pretty rushed and hectic -- but MUCH less rushed/hectic than yours and is 10000% more doable.

In your planning figure about 35MPH (and less in the really scenic bits)

I've done the crazies, then a few slower paced trips and now we have rented a beach house for a month out of Galway. I would highly recommend you set your sights to a much slower paced trip and enjoy what you are seeing! Plan another trip for the West Coast. Enjoy!

If you want to figure out driving times, use the AA Route Planner: http://www2.aaireland.ie/routes_beta/

Don't get the car until you leave Dublin, take the bus into the city and back. You don't want to drive in Dublin. I have always want to see the north coast but that drive to Doolin will be a long day. I would stop somewhere along the way, always wanted to see more of County Mayo. Galway is great and you could take a day trip to the cliffs and Doolin. Doolin is one of my fav spots. On the way back to Dublin stop at Clonmcnoise. Is you hotel for the last night at the airport? Clarion is right there and great for early morning flights. Wish you could squeeze in a couple more nights.