Change of Plans

I posted the "Need Advice on Dublin Trip" a few posts ago. After talking with my wife, I think I've worked out a way to extend the trip to 7 days (5 full, 2 half) and push the trip into April. Given the extra days and the warmer weather, I'd like to use Dublin as a base for 2-3 days and then somewhere South or West as a base for 2-3 days. We can either rent a car or take a train for the second leg. There were some great ideas in my earlier post for Dublin. Does anyone have ideas for:

1) City/hotel #2
2) Itinerary for that leg of the trip.
3) Any changes to the Dublin itinerary given the different time of year.
4) A local guide we could hire for a day or so to help us get a sense of the history, etc.

Thanks so much to all of you. You're like an interactive guidebook!

cool, you're staying for longer, which helps the ecomony! You'll get a medal from the government for that :)

Between South or West, I'd definately 100% choose the west. You can get the train from Dublin to Galway (3 hours I think, about €40 per person return) and hire your car in Galway. Then you've got ALL the West / North West open to you within a few hours drive.

I recommend Aran for at least a day-trip from Galway (also saves on car rental :) but then again, transport is by mini-bus or bicycle, neither of which might be great for the missus. However the view from Dun Aeoghus is unforgettable.

Otherwise you've got all the Connemara, and if you don't mind the distances, maybe as far as Westport (one of the most picturesque towns in Ireland) etc. You could stay the night in Sligo, Westport or somewhere up that way, go back to Galway for the last night, and then get the train back to Dublin.

I can't recommend any hotels, in Galway they're pretty much all equal.

Galway would be a great base indeed, and if you're looking for a place to stay, I strongly recommend bed and breakfasts. It's a wonderful way to meet some friendly Irish (that certainly sounds redundant!) and get all the blood sausage and other goodies you can eat. Also, B&B owners are always excellent sources of information relating to sights to see and things to do in the area. There are many bed and breakfast networks in Ireland that you can use to find a place to stay in almost any region (here is one: http://www.irishbnb.com/).

I also suggest you visit the Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs rise approximately 400 feet out of the ocean, and the view is absolutely spectacular.

Finally, if you are in the Cork area, you could swing by Blarney Castle. Although you have to climb to the top to kiss the famous eponymous stone (to get the "gift of gab") - which might not be the best idea for your wife given her state - the grounds are beautiful to walk around and explore, with many gardens and benches to relax on.

I wish you luck in planning the rest of your trip. Have fun!