Melinda,

Welcome to the forum. Since you are moving all around Ireland I don't think that self-catering will fit into your plans. Most self-catering rents for a week from Sat-Sat. There are some mid-week and weekend rentals available. But doing it yourself for just a couple of days is hardly worth the bother. Best to be able to settle in for a week for self-catering.

There are literally thousands of B&Bs in Ireland. I am still working my way through them all! You will find a portion of my recommendations on my "Lodgings" page and even more in my book. I think B&Bs will be ideal for your trip, with the exception of Dublin where in the city center you will have choices of guesthouses and hotels.

Prices for sandwiches from supermarkets, petrol stops, etc. would range from 3 euro and up, depending on what's in it. Since you are vegetarians you will probably opt for a "salad" sandwich. However, I hope you are going to eat more than sandwiches. I don't know if you eat seafood but it is excellent in Ireland, as are dairy products. Most restaurants have vegetarian starters and entrees and will work with you to build a meal you can enjoy. If the wait staff does not understand your requests you can ask to speak with the chef. As for those famous Irish breakfasts, tell your B&B hosts in advance of your requirements so they can anticipate your needs.

Since you are starting in Belfast and ending in Dublin you will want to check on drop-off charges for your car.

I am unsure of all your overnight stays, but my day by day comments are below: 

Day 1 - As of now, we will arrive Belfast in the evening, and plan day 1 (next day) to be a lowkey day of rest, recover and maybe wander around a bit. * Fine.

Day 2 is a Belfast day. * Good.

Day 3 - drive to Giant's Causeway, sightsee. * Take the full day for GC & Antrim coast
 
Day 4 drive to Derry/sightsee. * Unless you really want to see Derry, I suggest going to Enniskillen for two nights.

Day5 -  drive to Enniskillen/sightsee/ look around since my fatherwas born and raised there. * See suggestion above.

Day 6 to Galway. * Fine.
 
Day 7 Galway * Fine.
 
Day 8 drive to Dingle * Long day. You could go down the coast of Clare for Cliffs of Moher.
 
Day 9 Dingle. * Fine. Don't miss Slea Head Drive.
 
Day 10 drive to Cork. * You are missing out on a lot of the southwest. Killarney and/or Kenmare are beckoning!
 
Days 11 & 12 Cork/ Kinsale area. * Kinsale is cute but I much prefer Kerry. Cork City is a large more industrial town.
 
Day 13 drive to Dublin. * Long driving day. If you are staying in the city center consider turning in your car.
 
Day 14 dublin. * Consider taking the hop-on hop-off bus tour. 
 
Michele

Hi Melinda,

I'm an ovo-lacto vegetarian who has made a couple of trips to Ireland. I think you'll find produce to be wonderful in Ireland, and I'm sure your husband will love the dairy. I'm a little concerned about your relying much on sandwiches from petrol stations and supermarkets. I encountered many, many mayo-y sandwches (salad sandwiches). Of course, you can still eat, but I wouldn't count on always finding a convenient, on the go vegan sandwich. You might rely more on produce and bread. I never had problems getting vegetarian options in restaurants, but I do eat dairy and eggs.

You might already have this, but here's some info on travel from the Ireland Vegetarian Society:
http://www.vegetarian.ie/guideirelandpage.htm

Happy travels,
oopsy

Melinda,

Welcome to the forum! There is a small restaurant in Galway which specializes in Vegetarian cuisine. The name is Cobblestone and it is on Kirwan's Lane, which is in the heart of the pedestrian district on one of the old medieval side lanes.

Slan Go Foill,

Bit