Irish MNers - 6 days in Ireland with 18 year olds - what would you do?

[MsFogi]

My dcs have been to the North year after year to see family but have asked to go to the South after their exams (June). We have six days - what would you do? I don't want to be spending the whole time driving/repacking bags so was thinking 2-3 nights in 2-3 places - obviously Dublin and I was thinking Galway too, I don't want to end up in throngs of Americans in Kerry! Any ideas where we could go? Just a chilled out time to wonder around and a big bonus would be somewhere with really good Irish music (but not stuff just put on for the tourists, one of the dcs is studying music and keeps making noises about wanting to get involved in the Celtic scene so it might be nice to see some good music at a pub/festival).
And, in Dublin which area would be the best to get a hotel?

I think I'm alone in not liking Galway! Cork is nice. West Cork is beautiful. Kerry is lovely we didn't find it overrun with Americans!

What's your budget for Dublin? It's got really expensive.

I would skip Dublin, and either fly into Shannon and spend my time in Clare and Galway, or fly into Cork and spend my time in west Cork and Kerry.

The Burren is just down from Galway if you want to limit driving. Maybe then down to Limerick and back across. Cork is going to add to the distance if you go that way.

Or go North instead. The giants causeway and Carrick a Rede rope bridge are a good day out.

Dublin has turned into a bit of a mixed bag. Rough. Full of homeless but also good shopping. Good city vibe near grafton street area. But reallt my advice. Sligo. Mayo esp achill and Conemara down to doolin and spanish point. FAB Fab. You could do galway and clare or mayo sligo.iykwim. i domt like galway city atall much prefer conemara and the Atlantic coast. The aran islands are brilliant. Enjoy

West Cork is brilliant. I recommend the Castletownbere area. Nice little town with some lovely small art galleries. Lots of good places to eat. You can get the boat over to Bere Island in about 15 mins - nice little beach at the back of it called Rerrin if the weather is good. Great crab sandwiches near the boat.

Allihies which is a bit further on from Castletown has some lovely pubs which do excellent and frequent trad music.

There's whale watching trips nearby and kayaking too. There's even a Buddhist retreat centre and good rock climbing.

Kenmare isn't far either.

Thanks so much for all the pointers so far - I will rethink Dublin!

For trad music go west. Or north West, Sligo has lovely scenery and a beautiful coastline and the Coleman Irish Music center which holds regular concerts.
www.colemanirishmusic.com/

And if you can move your dates, the Fleadh is in Wexford this year.

fleadhcheoil.ie/