Flying to Ireland

Im asking for some advise, tips anything you can help me out with!!!
In about 12 months we will be flying to Ireland from Melbourne for a family wedding. I need some advice from people whom have embarked on a similar journey with kiddies in tow, my children will be 8 and 5 by the time we fly. We have family in Dubai and are considering stopping for a night or two with them just to break things up a bit or would this just drag the travel out to much? We need to be in Galway City so do we fly into Dublin and drive to Galway or do we try and fly into a closer airport? We are unsure how long we should stay for we are thinking around 2 weeks including days spent in transit. Can anyone please suggest to me some of the things we must see and do especially ones the my children will enjoy. I would love lots of tips from the who is the best to fly with as we will be flying cattle class, where to eat and where to stay, anything at all.
TIA