I don't have any suggestions, just wanted to post that it sounds fabulous.

It has been 20 years since I was there. Here are a few places we went that were interesting.

Galway

Cliffs of Mohr

Dingle Penisula

Waterford factory

Dublin

How lovely, and what a great time of year to go, too. I have been to Dublin many times on business, and love the city. Dublin created a tax haven regime a while back and so many financial companies were based there. Though I've not been in 10 years, I love the historic Dublin walking tours I did there and would seek those out. It's also become a great foodie town. I think we used to stay at the Merrion.

The driving part of your trip will be breathtaking. My fave is the Cliffs of Moher.

I once took my sister with me when I had business in Dublin. We flew into Dublin and out of Shannon. We stayed at Adare Manor the night before we left out of Shannon. Lovely!

Don't forget to spend a night in a pub with some great music while you are there!

On an travel site I’m on, someone just asked for recommendations for things to do in Dublin. One said Delicious Dublin - great guide and good insights into Irish food. Another said Kilmainham Gaol. If you can’t pre-book tickets, they release a batch every morning at 9 a.m. at the ticket office.

I’ve thought of a few other places:

We took a James Joyce walking tour. Typical of most towns there are walking tours for everything.

Dromoland Castle just north of Shannon. My sister and DBIL have stayed there several times. DBIL played golf.

Muckross House near Kilarney.

I have the Rick Steves Audio Europe app on my phone. He has loads of information about Ireland. The app and content are free. If you do download it, go to ”add Tours and Interviews,” then scroll down to Ireland. He has 2 Dublin walking tours plus a great many more 15-20 minute commentaries on various parts of Ireland- things to see and do.

I used the Visit A City app for planning our time in Venice and it was great. Gave us good directions to get from place to place. Knew which museums were open which days. They have Dublin too.

When in Dublin, try visiting or at least standing outside of The Temple Bar. There is a live online web camera that I check almost daily just for the fun of it. Here is the link: https://worldcams.tv/ireland/dublin/temple-bar

Let us know when you are there and stand and give KT a wave!

I've been twice in the last ten years but not since Covid and may go again this fall now that I've located the townland where my great grandparents lived.

This link hits the main sites and is easy to navigate. Depending on how you plan your drives and how long you'll stay you can visit many of the biggies. Many of these places are not in Dublin itself but are listed as day trips.

https://www.getyourguide.com/-l31/?cmp=ga&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=15511486280&cq_con=130891973997&cq_term=what%20to%20see%20in%20dublin&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&campaign_id=15511486280&adgroup_id=130891973997&target_id=kwd-1463895960&loc_physical_ms=9003800&match_type=e&ad_id=569326922048&keyword=what%20to%20see%20in%20dublin&ad_position=&feed_item_id=&placement=&device=c&partner_id=CD951&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmN2iBhCrARIsAG_G2i5n6v7X1pKSjRMT1HeFWtmYVR5fs_bCFm--2vcAdr0oAlkGjldba64aAj6iEALw_wcB

There are a lot of sites that focus on hiking, climbing, biking tours or horseback riding along the beaches. We saw kayakers along the coast near Connemara and on the River Shannon.

DUBLIN -

Trinity College, the Books of Kells, the Old Library and the Long Room. They have started to prepare for a 3 year renovation so I'm not sure what might be available when you are there. Supposedly it will close this October for 3 years.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/world/europe/dublin-trinity-library-restoration.html

Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery - touristy but interesting

Grafton Street - shopping, Bewley's for tea and people watching, try for a window table

St. Patrick's Cathedral and Christ Church - both were originally Roman Catholic but since the Reformation are now Anglican, part of the Church of Ireland. Check to see if there is an available concert - we attended a choral recital.

Temple Bar -a lively area frequented by both tourists and locals, good for music, pricey beer

Kilmainham Gaol

Top walks near Dublin - I've done the Howth Cliff Walk and the River Liffey stroll

https://www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/the-10-best-walks-in-and-around-dublin

Other places that I enjoyed:

Dingle, a jaunting cart ride in Killarney Park, Muckross House and Abby, Cliffs of Moher, Glendalough, Ross Castle, Boyne Valley (Newgrange and Knoth - megalithic passage tombs)

Ross Castle, Blarney Castle &Mills ( lines may be long to kiss the stone but I was there on a damp day in Oct and there were no lines).

Glengarriff on Bantry Bay along the Beara Peninsula (Garnish Island and garden)

Powerscourt Estate, Avoca Handweavers

Kilkenny Shop has a number of shops around Ireland and focuses Irish crafts & designers

Galway - the Latin Quarter, Quay Street, Galway Cathedral (spectacular amount of stained glass and marble. We couldn't take the ferry to the Aran Islands or Skellig Michael due to high winds and rough seas.

Victor's Way - I haven't been, but it does look rather intriguing - adults only.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/victoria-s-way-indian-sculpture-park

Northern Ireland - Belfast : Titanic Museum, Giant's Causeway,

I wish you luck planning your trip - there's is much to see and do.

Maire

Our last trip was also in late Aug-early Sept in 2019. I second just about everything Maire Cate suggested. We truly enjoyed Dublin and the Kilmainham Gaol (recommend getting tickets ahead of time) and we found a small archaeology museum we enjoyed. Of course the other ’usual’ sights are a must and just walking along the river as we searched for a place to eat was enjoyable.

We also loved Cobh (in the south and where the Titanic sailed), Killarney, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Giants Causeway (could have easily spent more time there), Dingle and the cart ride, Glendalough, Belfast. So much to see and do and it’s all gorgeous and friendly.

I only stayed at 2 historic hotels - the Slieve Donard, just south of Belfast and the Ashford Castle in County Mayo. https://www.slievedonardhotel.com/

The rest of the time we stayed in nice hotels and a few B&B's. Our days were so packed that we really didn't have the time to enjoy all the lovely amenities that the luxury places offered.

The first time I went with my son who had a break between moving and starting a new job. It was rather last minute so I hired the driver/trip planner/retired history teacher that my girlfriend had recommended. I let him book everything which worked out great - if the weather forecast was poor he'd shift our plans and reservations. I knew they drove on the opposite side of the road but I wasn't aware they had traffic circles (aka roundabouts) which can make for an interesting drive. We didn't heed him in Dublin or Galway but it was quite relaxing to sit up front and have him explain the history behind everything - plus he knew everyone and all the good cafes.

If everything works out my DS and DDIL will go with me. They hope to spend a few days biking along the Wild Atlantic Way while I wander through some areas that I still want to visit.

I loved all of the above and also the ruggedness of The Burren National Park. If you can, visit the island of Inishmore.

I love Ireland! I’ll get back to you!

Ajuju …. didn’t your DH say he wasn’t really that interested in going, and you should ask Jilly from the board? Or did I dream that?

Well, anyway, I am available those dates.

Seriously, what a trip! I’ve never been, love this thread and can’t wait for your trip report! 😍

In Dublin - the Jeannie Johnson Famine Ship. A replica of a famine ship showing just how dire the situation was for those leaving due to the famine and a fascinating explanation of why it was the first ship to make the trip to North America without a death onboard. The tour of the ship and the story of it's history is about an hour long and we found it fascinating - very reasonably priced, about 20.00 Cdn each. The Library at Trinity College Dublin. Start with a student-led tour of the College and end up in the Trinity Library. It is breathtaking and houses the Book of Kells - a manuscript created by monks in the 800's. We did a hop on/ hop off tour on our first day in Dublin- choose one with a live commentator - well worth the very reasonable cost. Have seafood chowder and brown bread at a pub. Have a Guiness! The Epic Museum is fascinating if you are interested in the history of the mass immigration due to the famine. You are able to look up any relatives of yours who may have travelled from Ireand to the US or Canada.

In Galway - we just wandered around the streets and stopped in at many pubs for the live music or a meal. There are tons of quaint shops and buskers abound. One of my favourite people watching cities.