Easter 3 ½ day jaunt to Ireland planned: 2 couples, no kids, want to have great food and see some of the country. Arrive Dublin early morning Monday, pick up car at the airport, fly back Thursday night. Will have Wednesday evening / Thursday in Dublin, so want to have two nights away from Dublin, preferably in different places.

We’ve worked out 3 possible itineraries:

Galway: Drive there Monday and stay Monday night, drive about ½ way back on Tuesday and find somewhere to stay.

Donegal: Basically same as Galway plan.

Wexford/Waterford: Drive down the coast to Wexford, stay Wexford Monday night, Tuesday go to Waterford, and either stay there or somewhere between Waterford and Dublin.

Will probably find hotels/restaurants via TripAdvisor, but any recommendations would be welcome.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

For my money I would always suggest West Cork & Kerry as the best place to drive around for scenery. Lots of good places to eat along the Wild Atlantic Way (Home | Wild Atlantic Way) perhaps start in Kinsale and work your way around some of that.

Galway and Wexford is fine and all, but if you're on a short trip (which you are) then driving through West Cork and Kerry are definitely the best choices for lots of amazing scenery, great hotel/B&B options, and good food. West Cork - Beara Peninsula, Dingle Peninsula, Sheep's Head Peninsula, Glandore + Drombeg Stone Circle, Gougane Barra. Kerry - Muckross House and Gardens, Killarney National Park. The Ring of Kerry Drive is more well known, but also more touristy and longer. The Beara Peninsula is shorter, wilder, and more beautiful IMO. Plus, by staying focusing on West Cork and Kerry, you're not have to crisscross the country from Galway to the East coast.

If you choose to come closer to Cork city, you also have the options of Kinsale, Cobh, Blarney Castle (and kissing the Blarney Stone), and the Jameson (whiskey) Distillery, all within 30 minutes of each other.