I spent a week in Ireland last year. Based out of Dublin and did day trips. Giant’s Causeway rocks. Totally. It is unbelievable. I didn’t find Dublin to be more expensive than Paris or London and I’ve been to both. The Guinness “Experience” was a waste of time and money. Take a guided tour of Trinity College and see the Book of Kells. Loved Dublin Castle. I found the food good and fell in love with Jameson and ginger. Didn’t have time to tour the jail but I heard it’s very good.
Yes, we’re going to to the Causeway; it’s part of a very long full day Game of Thrones-theme tour that includes The Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle, Giant’s Causeway, Larrybane, Ballintoy Harbour, and Cushendun Caves.
We’ve got the Burren on the list, and I believe our accommodations in Killarney are in the National Park, so that’s covered too. 
Thanks again for all the input; we’ve decided to go ahead and get reception for one of our cell phones as a backup GPS, and we’ve added a few more things to our list. We’re definitely very excited!
Can anyone confirm the driving times that are being quoted online? Barring any side-stops, going straight through (which isn’t going to happen, but still…) and taking main roads, it says less than 4 hours from Dublin to Killarney, and 2.5 from Galway to Dublin. Our trip from Dublin to Killarney will be very relaxed, but we’ll be heading back from Galway to Dublin and have booked dinner at the Merry Ploughboys that evening, so we need to be checked in at the hotel and getting road grime washed off by 4PM at the latest.
Its been a few years but… if you are near the Cliffs of Moher, like traditional irish music and are looking for a place to stay, try a B&B in or near Doolin. Great session music at the pubs. In Galway? A trip to the Aran Islands is a good time. Rent a bike at the dock and pedal around. There is also a ferry from Doolin. We went to Inishmore and spent the night. Dun Aonghasa is ancient cliffside fort worth seeing. Slieve League in Co. Donegal is a must see if you are in the area. Hike to the top of some of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe. It is NOT necessary to do it the morning after too many Guinnesses in Killybegs the night before. (Trust me on that one.) In general, get out and walk. Take the little detours some else mentioned. Congrats and have a great time. Its almost impossible not to.
P.S. - Depending on where you are, be careful with “Up the Black and Tans” stuff. The Black and Tans are hated by many in Ireland. If you want a Guinness and a Harp in the same glass, order a “half and half”.
Its been a few years but… if you are near the Cliffs of Moher, like traditional irish music and are looking for a place to stay, try a B&B in or near Doolin. Great session music at the pubs. In Galway? A trip to the Aran Islands is a good time. Rent a bike at the dock and pedal around. There is also a ferry from Doolin. We went to Inishmore and spent the night. Dun Aonghasa is ancient cliffside fort worth seeing. Slieve League in Co. Donegal is a must see if you are in the area. Hike to the top of some of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe. It is NOT necessary to do it the morning after too many Guinnesses in Killybegs the night before. (Trust me on that one.) In general, get out and walk. Take the little detours some else mentioned. Congrats and have a great time. Its almost impossible not to.
Oops.
People go to Italy to see the history. People go to France to see the art. People go to Ireland to see the people. The best part of Eire is just talking to the locals or hanging out in a pub chatting.
For driving, once you’re on the major roads, it’s not too bad if you can keep your focus on where you are and where you’re supposed to be. Around the Ring of Kerry, as God is my witness, there will come a time when you’re sitting on the wrong side of the car, driving on the wrong side of the road, on a road the width of bike path, in the pouring rain when a herd of suicidal sheep will pop over the hill and charge you. It just happens. My favorite driving moment (other than the sheep) was using a U.S. based navigation app on the phone which couldn’t handle clockwise roundabouts. The second you entered one, it would start shrieking “TURN RIGHT. TURN RIGHT. TURN RIGHT. TURN RIGHT…”
In Dublin, I did the Wicklow Mountain tour with these folks and can’t recommend it highly enough. Great people, great alcohol, great sightseeing.
Stay away from Galway on a Friday night.
Not driving in Dublin is a very wise decision. I’ve never had trouble anywhere else, but Dublin maps and street name changes had me reduced to a screaming harpy.
Can not stress enough - Spring for the automatic transmission. No matter how well accustomed to a stick shift you are, there will be so many other things to think about, give yourself a break.
Take a “walk” through a couple of roundabouts on google maps before you go. Every street in Ireland has been photographed by them, so you can jump into the map and look around at any point. Getting a visual perspective on how the ramps work will make your first day driving much more enjoyable.
If you’re at all new to driving left, consider asking the rental place for a “learner’s” sign. It’s basically just a big red “L” that alerts other drivers you’re new to all this. Folks will be incredibly accommodating if they see you’ve got one.
Be sure to get both pounds and Euros before you leave the city. I got stuck once because I thought I’d get pounds once I got to Down, but the toll to exit there didn’t take Euros.
Re: Politics Conversation is an art form in Ireland. Civil disputes are simple good-hearted entertainment for the most part. If it begins to get heated, just say “Ah, but we are friends nonetheless” and change the subject. But don’t hold yourself back from it; getting to know people is the best part.
My European friends are just openly disheartened and confused by what’s happening here. They don’t understand how our current GOP majority happened, much less President Trump. They want to hear it from us. If you’d rather not go there just say “It’s distressing, I’m glad to get away from it for a bit.” or something similar.
I disagree, I think sturdy shoes are a necessity. Even the sidewalks are not the smooth, even surfaces we are accustomed to. If you do a lot of walking even in the city, your ankles will be getting a major workout. But I do agree about extra pairs. And bring some 2.5 gallon ziplock bags for when you need to put wet shoes into your suitcase. And a bunch of thesecome in handy to help shoes dry overnight.
This is actually dangerous, don’t do it or say it, and if you drink them at home DO NOT order them in Ireland. The Black and Tans were a brutal “police” force and much hated.
Mostly good advice, but please don’t talk if someone is singing. Instruments, OK, maybe, but myself I wouldn’t then either.
Refusing food or tea is nearly impossible, but make your best stab at it, and always try at least once.
You should each have a “party piece” ready to share. This can be a song or a poem or a story even just a short joke. Nobody minds if it’s bad. It’s like showing up at a potluck supper; you need to bring a dish. If folks start going around the circle, you just need to have something to share.
Yep.
Congratulations! Wishing you all the best!
Except far less expensive. 10% is fine.
I suspect but haven’t done Dublin to Killarney that 4hrs would more or less do it.
Galway City to Dublin City in a motorcar can be done in approx 2hrs these days with the motorway but bear in mind rush hours.
Thanks to everyone once again for all the insight, advice, and congrats. 
It is all very appreciated! I’ll check back in when we get back and let you know how it all went. 