Ireland trip recommendations?

[nightandday]

H and I recently booked a trip for August to Dublin, Galway and the Aran Islands. Any suggestions on what to do/see there? Places to eat? TIA

[anasara]

We went to Ireland last May.  We mainly stayed with my family in Glenbeigh (County Kerry) but did stay 2 days in Dublin.  My favorite thing in Dublin proper was Kilmainham Gaol, which served as a jail for several centuries & is most famous for being where many men were executed for planning the Easter Rising of 1916.  We're both big history people & had a rental car so we drove to Bru na Boinne (archaeological grouping) which was about a 30-45 min drive outside the city.  I'm not a beer drinker but we did the Guinness tour which DH loved since he drank my beer (included in the ticket) too, LOL.  We also walked around St. Stephen's Green & Trinity College where DH was thrilled to participate in a pick up cricket game.  So far as eating recs I'm vegetarian so my experience is limited.  However we had really good & affordable South Indian meal @ Delhi O'Deli on Moore St which is walking distance from O'Connell St where all the buses stop.  

[Deleted]

In Dublin we did the Kilmanhaim Gaol (highly recommend), Guiness Factory tour (recommend, especially if you like beer), and a little self-guided pub tour. We had a very good dinner at Winding Stair. I was hesitant to go out in Temple Bar because I thought it'd just be gross and overrun with drunk kids, but we actually had a great time bar hopping in that area.

In Galway, we really enjoyed McDonagh's for seafood - I had amazing local lobster. There is a little spot (doesn't look like much from the outside) a few blocks from the city center called the Cottage Bar. They serve all local beers produced by the Galway Bay Brewery, and really good food too.

We didn't make it to the Aran Islands, but I've heard they are beautiful. If you have the time, a day trip to the Cliifs of Moher would be worthwhile. They are absolutely breathtaking.

Have a great time! We had so much fun in Ireland, and it is such a gorgeous country1

[frlcb]

Dublin - Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Tour, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, St Stephens Green, Kilmanhaim Gaol. I hate the Temple Bar area but every time I am in Dublin I think it gets worse and worse with drunk, rowdy hen and stag parties and tourists. There are so many pubs all over Dublin that finding one that isn't there shouldn't be an issue. I would do a day tour out to Wicklow and Glendalough, or Malahide Castle. I was just there in October and we are going back in May with our kids. Here is some pics from my trip if you are interested:

passportsandpushchairs.com/ireland-through-instagram/

[peppermint]

Another vote for Kilmainham Gaol, my favorite part of visiting Dublin. I've been there 4 times and am going again in August! Grafton Street is always busy if you're into shopping. The Guinness tour is also interesting, even if you're an't super into beer, a lot of good history there. Galway Bay should be beautiful in August, if you have time to walk around down on the bay, I'd recommend doing that, it is gorgeous. I'll also second McDonagh's in Galway for fish and chips. No advice to give on the Arans, as I've never been. My favorite thing to eat in Ireland is always seafood. It's so fresh, and most restaurants and pubs have some kind of chowder or soup that is always delicious. Hope you enjoy your trip!