Help with Itinerary

Luxury hotels are easy to find in Ireland and Dromoland and Ashford are also both castles. I would go for Ashford as it is more off the beaten track and full of atmosphere. Connemara has probably the quantist and dramatic scenery and you could get there pretty easily if you're staying in Ashford even though it's another county

There are many luxury castles in Ireland. Ashford and Dromoland are both in the west, one of Ireland's most dramatic areas. They are both spectacular; Ashford has the advantage of a falconry. If flying into Dublin, you could make your way to County Kerry, another of Ireland's beauty spots. Killarney is a wellknown area with lots of activities. From there you could travel up to Galway City for a city experience, and finish your trip with a castle as a splurge at the end.

Thanks for your suggestions, all the locations listed where at the top of my list and this helps narrow it down. Ashford castle looks beautiful and I will work around that. I really wanted to see Connemara.I will get my map out and start playing!

Lough Rynn Castle in County Leitrim meets your equirements for a spot of luxury, as would Kilronan Castle in nearby County Roscommon

I don't want to spend the entire trip in a car
For me, this statement is the key to your trip.

It's very easy to underestimate driving times in Ireland. You've expressed an interest in Connmemara so I recommend that you head west but restrict yourselves to the part of the west coast that's around Connemara. Actually, Connemara is one of my favourite parts of Ireland with lots of fascinating places to visit but also with very slow roads. So allow a minimum of two full days/three nights there, basing yourselves in somewhere like Roundstone (Google-able if you're interested.)

If you do decide for Connemara and Ashford Castle, you can easily spend several days in that area, although it's just a bit late in the season and weather could be a factor in your plans. It's well worth spending 1 night on the Aran Islands, visiting Kylemore Abbey, spending a day or 2 in Galway City, and either driving or spending a night or 2 around the coastline of Galway & Mayo. Clifden is a larger, more lively town with more chance of hearing music. Roundstone is a beautiful coastal village with lovely beaches if the weather is fine (not warm, but sunny). Cong, where Ashford is located, is one of my favorite places. It's small, but you can visit the ruined abbey, the river walk, and travel around the lake, which is absolutely gorgeous. A good day drive is up the lake to Westport.

You could visit Connemara and still have ample time for another area, such as Kerry.

I would spend a day or two in Dublin, then get the train to Galway, and spend the rest of the time there. I'd get in a night in Galway, then 2 nights in Aran. With the rest of the time I'd hire a car and either go North-West or South-West. I personally prefer the North-West - try to climb Croagh Patrick, head out to the Carrowkeel megalithic cemetary, go for a walk in the Ten Pins, and of course the lakes and rivers.

Then it'd be back to Galway, drop off the car, and a nice easy train back to Dublin.

That way you're not spending all your time in a car, you'll have gotten a taste of rural Ireland (can't get more rural than Aran and Connemara!) and you'll have the freedom to potter around without having to worry about making deadlines.

Good idea of Sean's to take the train to Galway and hire a car from there. Besides, driving out of Dublin is never easy and always seems to take me far longer than I'd ever imagined.

Yes, renting a car in Galway is better than driving in Dublin.