Take the 747 airport bus into downtown Dublin. Buy a Rambler Pass for three days which you can use on all buses in Dublin. It costs $17.50, as of 2011. Buy a return bus ticket if you plan to walk everywhere in Dublin. Do not rent a car on your first day, traffic in Dublin is always clogged up and you will spend all day in traffic jams. Buses have priority in special bus lanes.
Check into your hotel. Most buses stop on O'Connell Street, where some of the better hotels, so for convenience try and book a hotel there.
Visit Trinity College and its library on your first day. Visit the National Museum of Ireland and the National Gallery of Ireland on Kildare Street. You can spend all day in these three places to learn about Ireland's history.
Have lunch in the St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre where the restaurants are on the top floor and all have panoramic views over the St. Stephen's Green Park. The shopping center is a five-minute walk from both museums and Trinity College.
Shop till you drop on your second day. Grafton Street is one of the most stylish shopping streets in the world where you can find everything from clothing to traditional Irish food stores and cafes. When you get tired of shopping walk to the St. Stephen's Green park and watch the ducks picking up the breadcrumbs that passers-by feed them.
Go out for the night in the Temple Bar area which is only a five minute walk from O'Connell Street. It is a mile-long street that has everything for a good night from traditional bars and pubs to cafes and dance clubs.
Take the tram or walk to the Phoenix Park on the Northern side of Dublin on your third day. It is a massive park in the heart of the city, where you can see squirrels and even deer. Have lunch at one of the restaurants near Heuston Station. Walk to the National Gallery of Modern Art from Heuston station and spend the afternoon there.
Rent a car at the airport and take the N11 road to Cork which will take you to some of the most scenic parts of the Irish coastline. The drive will take you more than five hours to Cork so just take it easy and stop by in the smaller towns on the way and immerse yourself in the beauty of Ireland.
Check into your hotel in Cork. Spend two days in Cork which is a small town with palm trees and a Mediterranean feel. You can leave your car in the hotel and go for walks in downtown Cork as it is easy to get everywhere on foot.
Visit the English Market. Shops range from butchers to chocolate shops and small cafes, well worth the visit. Visit the Cork Public Museum if you are interested in Cork's history. Walk around town and see the sights, such as the Church of St. Anne. If you prefer not to walk, hop on a tour bus and they will tell you about the history of the city.
Take a day-tour bus to see the surroundings of Cork on your second day in Cork. You can book a tour in the tourist information center.
Drive to Galway through Tralee on the west coast to see the countryside. Travel on the countryside roads and avoid the motorways. There is always more to see on the small secondary roads. The drive will take more than five hours to Galway so take is easy and stop by in the smaller towns on the way.
Check into your hotel in Galway. Spend two days in Galway. It is a small fishing town with a massive cathedral which is a must-see. Galway has a lively night life with lots of students.
Spend the first day walking around Galway or take a tour bus around the city. Visit Galway Cathedral, the local museums and the seaside. Eat fish and chips in one of the restaurants on the shore.
Take a one-day tour bus to see the surroundings of Galway on your second day in Galway. Visit the cliffs of Mohar or the castles around Galway. You can book a tour in the tourist information center.
Take the road to Belfast, which is in Northern Ireland. Drive through Sligo to see the countryside. The drive takes more than five hours so take it easy and visit the smaller towns on the way to Belfast. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland with good road connections to Dublin. Spend one day in Belfast.
Walk around the city center or take a tour bus around the city. Visit the Botanical Gardens and the Ulster Museum. Go shopping in the downtown area to buy traditional Irish crafts.
Drive back to Dublin from Belfast on the A1 road and catch your flight. The drive takes just over three hours.
