Need suggestion on what to see between Galway and Dublin
 

We will be doing a CIE Taste of Ireland Tour in September which ends in Shannon. From there we are going to rent a car and travel up to Galway spend a few hours and then back to Dublin.

Any suggestion of things to see on our way back across Ireland?

I've only traveled between the two by bus or train. But if I'd had a car on that particular trip to Ireland, I would've gone to Clonmacnoise:

http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/mid.../Clonmacnoise/

You could go to Clonmacnoise, as caph said, and/or visit Kildare, which houses the National Stud Farm (horses, not men!), the Japanese Gardens, a huge sacred well dedicated to St. Brigid. These three places are all right next to eachother, easy to see in an afternoon/morning.

I had read something about the Stud Farm-Japanese Gardens, just wasn't sure where it was. Any suggestions for Galway, we are heading up there because that is where my Grandfather originated and should have some very distant relatives. Also will be spending a day before and after the tour in Dublin so any suggestions for that area would be welcome.

The Burren is a particularly beautiful and bizarre place, just south of Galway - a moonscape filled with unusual flowers and plants, some neolithic sites, ruined abbeys and a bear cave :)

Dublin has no end of interesting things, but it really depends on what you enjoy doing.

GreenDragon, Burren sounds very interesting. I will have to see if I can find more info on the area.

Do I understand that you are doing Galway as a day trip from Dublin? As in round trip in one driving day?

If you are planning a one day trip, no over night, it is nearly 200 miles one way, not an easy driving day. 200 miles in Ireland at average speed of 35 mph--well you do the math. You would not have much time in Galway, let alone stops in between.

Look at irishrail for train rides out. There are trains Mon-Fri which leave Heuston Station at 7:10 am, arrives 9:55 and onethat leaves 9:10, arr.11:59. Last train back 6:05, arr. back in Dublin 8:57 pm. Sunday leave Dublin 8:40 am,arr. Galway11:40 am.

If you do an overnight to Galway, then consider some of the great suggestions above: Clonmacnois (my first choice) or the Burren. Kildare and the national stud are great as well, but well off the direct route to Galway.

No, we are doing a tour that ends in Shannon and we need to end up in Dublin. Decided to rent a car and drive up to Galway then back across to Dublin.

Demayco, I second a visit to the Irish National Stud in Kildare not far from Dublin...

http://www.irish-national-stud.ie/

If you are going from Shannon to Galway, the Burren, recommended earlier, is very interesting. You might want to make a quick stop at the Cliffs of Moher on the way to Galway.
But my first choice is stil Clonmacnoise. At Ballinasloe take the R357 toward Shannonbridge and then turn onto a local road to Clonmacnoise. After Clonmacnoise, take the road to Ballynahown and then the N62 north back to the N6, a decent road on to Dublin. There are others here who are closer to the fact and might be able to give clearer and/or better directions to Clonmacnoise.

The Cliffs of Moher and (possibly) the Burren are great for the drive from Shannon to Galway. But once you are driving from Galway to Dublin, you don't want to backtrack to this area.

Irishface's suggestion of Clonmacnoise is spot on. Kildare (Irish stud, Japanese gardens, etc.), nice as it may be, is NOT on this route. It's not a huge distance south of your direct routing, but it's definitely out of the way. At Clonmacnoise you'll get church ruins, round towers, and multiple high crosses -- go for it.

Yes Clonmacnoise would be the most popular tourist attraction along that route. There is a good road between Galway and Dublin, well except when you turn off going to Clonmacnoise.

If you go from Clonmacnoise up to Athlone you'll get back on the motorway the average 35 mph will increase to 55-60 mph and you'll be in Dublin within 90 minutes.

If you have time to kill, Maynooth is between Athlone and Dublin, it is a University town and has a small castle. It might be worth taking a look at St Patrick’s College Chapel on the south campus grounds. Wouldn't be a tourist attraction as such but it's an impressive building.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/...0797c1.jpg?v=0

there are a few religious abbeys and castles between Athlone and Maynooth including a mound in Clonard. I havent been to it myself so it could be hit and miss!!

The Chapel picture is amazing. Not what I was expecting. If time allows we will have to stop by there.

Thanks Fergal!

As far as the Cliff of Moher, we are doing that as part of our CIE Tour before we end at Bunratty.