Hey all, I've now booked my trip to Ireland (March 1st through 8th) and I need a few recommendations on what to see! I know we will be in Dublin for a couple of days but we'd like to spend as much time as possible in the country-side. I'd like to go to Galway (see Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher), of course I want to see Blarney Castle and head to Cork as well as Kilkenny (heard it's pretty country-side). We will be going up to Belfast so any recommendations on what to see up north would be great too!
Here's some places I've heard about, are they worth a see?
-Mourne Mountains
-Rathlin Island
-Slieve League Cliffs
-Tory Island

Any hostel recommendations? We will be traveling as cheaply as possible. Also, buses, trains or planes? Seems bus passes are very inexpensive but I have yet to view any air or train costs.

Thanks a ton everyone! Super excited!
~Kailani

If you can, rent a car, all those touristy spots are away from bus routes..
If you can't, Bus it.. Look into aircoach they run from Dublin - Cork for about €12 one way, €18 return.. which is far better than Bus Eireann

Don't even consider the train.. 3 times the price of a bus..

The mourne mountains are lovely but don't go out of your way to see them.. unless you want to hike them. as they can be appreciated by just driving thru..

Personally I'd give any island preference over this.
You should really check out Cork (west) Inchadonney is a beautiful beach.. Cobh and Clonakilty are both excellent little villages too as is Baltimore.. just pick one and go.

Up north - Heard of the giants causeway? Never been but would like to. Google it.

Galway and Kilkenny are similar both cool laid back feel.. Galway probably better (and i was born in Kilkenny!)depends on your route..
If you are into countryside etc. and you only have 8 days my advice would be to get out of dublin as soon as you land..

If you do get a car the good news is no matter where you want to go it will not be more than a 6 hour drive.. The bus on the other hand

Hope that helped.

I'm with Anna. Trains will break the bank. Buses, while sometimes crowded, are by far the better option in Eire!