So I'm finally going to Ireland in mid-April (16th or 17th to 29th) since the Irish government decided to waive the normal visa requirement for Indians this year if they are holding UK visas.

I think I might have bitten off more than I can chew though as I was originally thinking I could do all of Ireland and N. Ireland in a 12 day circular driving trip. I soon realized that this would be a fool's errand.

So now the plan is to cut from Dublin to Galway and loop around the South of Ireland back to Dublin since we fly out of Dublin. We may fly into Shannon instead of Dublin and drive to Galway depending on ticket prices, timings, etc. (we're flying in from LON) but for all practical purposes we're starting our tour in Galway.

Here's the route I have mapped out - part 1 and part 2

Yeah, it's so long that I hit Google Map's limit of 26 spots on one route. I'm pretty certain this is way too ambitious and right now I don't even know what a lot of these places have to see or whether I want to see it. I've just compiled a sort of circular itinerary based on suggestions I saw for places to visit in various threads here and on other websites. Please feel free to refine this list of points and add/remove things. The few things that I think want to keep in, unless others feel strongly, are Kylmore Abbey, Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara. The last one in particular seems like the only "off the beaten path" thing on our list and I've read suggestions to do it over Ring of Kerry if constrained for time. I have also not figured out where we will stop and and for how many night. Help with that will also be appreciated.

Just to give you an idea of things we like and don't like - we like natural beauty, scenic drives, short day hikes. Castles are fine too as long as they are impressive (Kylmore Abbey looks awesome). Overly touristy things like kissing the Blarney stone are out but visiting Barney Castle would be ok if it meets the above criteria. And I could care less about visiting the Guinness factory in Dublin. We would enjoy catching some traditional Irish music in pubs or elsewhere, though we would like to minimize our chances of encountering raucous drunk Americans, particularly college kids, while doing so. (Sadly I will not be going to the old Donegal stomping grounds of my favorite Irish musician, Rory Gallagher.) Dublin is not a priority for us and spending a day there would be enough - it's a big city and it seems there's not much to see, not as exciting as London, Berlin or Paris anyway. Besides, we can always return if we miss something as it has good connectivity whereas it's a bit harder to get to the countryside.

I realize the weather may be suboptimal at this time of year but it is what it is.

With that long intro, your suggestions are very welcome!

Thanks