Hi Guys! My husband and I booked a last minute trip to Ireland from April 5-April 14th, landing in Dublin on the 5th at 7am. I lived in Dublin for 1 year in 2009 and I can't wait to bring my husband so he can experience the magic too. I've seen a lot of the country but it's his first time so I want to make sure he's getting the best experience in the short stay that we have. We tend to travel for food and culture and we're not into the touristy things or sightseeing too much. He would rather relax in a pub and take in the atmosphere then go to a museum or pay to see a castle.Our biggest priorities are eating, drinking and listening to sessions. We don't want to rush too much, be able to take in the scenery and take it slow.

April 5th: Land in Dublin @7am, rent car. Night in Dublin.

April 6th: Dublin

April 7th: Dublin (possible day trip to Wicklow, Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough)

April 8th: Drive to Clifton and spend the night. Can you recommend somewhere to have lunch on the way?See Clonmacnoise on the way and drive around the Sky Road.

April 9th: Drive the coastal path to Galway. Stay in Galway for the night. Maybe do a pub crawl?

April 10th: Spend the morning in Galway. Make our way to the Cliffs of Moher (do a cliff walk starting in Doolin and maybe have lunch here). Any stops on the way? Stay in Ennis.

April 11th: Drive Slea Head and Dingle Peninsula. Stay in Dingle. Check out pubs for music.

April 12th: Drive to Kenmare (passing through Killarney and possibly see Ross's castle) and do the Ring of Beara. Visit Molly Gallivans. Sleep in Kenmare.

April 13th: Early morning to Kinsale. Spend the day in Kinsale. Sleep in Kinsale.

April 14th: Drive straight to Dublin Airport to catch 2:30pm flight to Rome. How much time should we allot to this if we a) stopped at the Rock of Cashel b) Drive straight to the airport. I assume we don't need to be there before 12:30.

A nine day pub crawl around Ireland - can I come too?
Starting with Dublin, everybody has their favourites but do try and include Mulligans and Kehoes on your itinerary; the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl might be right up your street though, so check out their website. The Guinness Storehouse has become very popular for visitors - even patronised by our neighbour Queen Elizabeth.
Moving west, consider Athlone as a stop off point, after Clonmacnoise, for lunch. The West Bank Bistro is good for lunch and you have to wander into Sean's Bar nearby, even if it's only a coffee at that time of day.
Motoring from Clifden to Galway, O'Dowd's in Roundstone is a good place to stop for their famous chowder but don't miss a walk on nearby Dog's Bay strand beforehand to work up an appetite.
Galway itself is always a lively spot so plenty of choice when it comes to bars and restaurants; put Tigh Neachtain's on your to-do list.
Can recommend the Doolin to Cliffs of Moher walk; for sustenance, Doolin itself is more known for its evening pub scene, so you might venture a litlle bit along the road and try Vaughan's Anchor Inn in Liscannor for a bit of lunch.
You could give some consideration to pushing on a bit further than Ennis that day, perhaps Limerick City or Adare (the Bunratty Folk Park along the route is worth a stop, if time permitted).
You won't die of thirst in Dingle, you will be relieved to hear. Dick Mack's and Foxy John's are two to get started with; if seafood is your thing, try Into The Blue for dinner.
On the Kenmare to Kinsale leg, two places you should try to stop off in en route. Not sure when the season starts for the boats that run out to Garnish Island in Glengarriff but it's a lovely short expedition if you can fit it in. Clonakilty is a nice town to take a break in and you might even venture into de Barra's pub when you're there.
In Kinsale, there's a pleasant walk from town out to Charles Fort - and the temptation of dropping into the Bulman on the way back. You certainly cannot leave town without having a pint in the Spaniard. Fishy Fishy is a very popular dining spot for....you guessed it...fish.
It you manage to drag yourselves out of bed in time, including the Rock of Cashel into your journey onward to Dublin Airport should be feasible.
And just to prove that my interests are not limited solely to the consumption of food and drink, can I make a single recommendation to you for Rome. The church of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale might not match many of the others for size but then again, as we all know, size isn't everything.....
Enjoy your trip!

Thank you so much! This is one of the most helpful posts I've ever seen! Sure,come along witth us why not?

If others are like me and are having problems getting post to post it is the reason. I just lost everything I typed. Don't get the car till you leave Dublin. I love Cobblestone in Smithfield Sq for trad. That whole sq has some gems. Use Luas for getting around. I could eat early bird every day at The Boxy house. They have the best salmon and other items for a great price. Make reservations for your first night. I have been seven times but never visited the jail until last trip. Wow is all I can say. So worth it. Make a reservation and then visit Glasnevin cemetery making your way to the right of the cemetery you will find the Gravediggers pub/Kavanaughs. Eat in the newer part, great food and good pour.

You could stop in Tullamore on your way to Galway. The tour is fun.

Be aware that you will go through US immigration and customs in Dublin ... so unless you have TSA Pre-Check and are traveling on an airline that offers it, I think I'd give yourself more time to check in for your flight home. (You'll also be returning a rental car —so that will add time to the process ... returning the car, getting a shuttle back to the front of the airport).

Ditto on not picking up the car until the day you leave Dublin.

Drive straight to Dublin Airport to catch 2:30pm flight to Rome. How much time should we allot to this if we a) stopped at the Rock of Cashel b) Drive straight to the airport. I assume we don't need to be there before 12:30.

You are flying within Europe so 2 hours should be enough but allow three since you have to return car.

But I am not American and I'm flying into London.

Don't collect your rental car until the 8th -- you don't want/need a car in Dublin. Much more trouble than its worth.

Kilbeggan Distillery Experience - How to Find Us If you didn't want to do Tullamore we enjoyed Kilbeggan.

I got that you weren't flying to US so said two hours would be plenty of time at Dublin airport. Duty free is very liberal with the tastings there btw.

Do not collect the rental car until you are ready to leave Dublin. Dublin is a pain with a car.
And in case you are doing research, the correct spelling is Clifden (not Clifton).