I figured I better post to make it a triple bill. First off, I would skip Dublin and try to fly to Belfast or Derry. This would save some windshield time, the area up there is nicer than Dublin and the Antrim Coast might keep you in your wife's good books. However, if Dublin is the your preference.....
If you are coming from Italy (which I must say makes me question your sanity), flying and playing the same day should not be a problem. However, playing on a weekend could be troublesome. I would avoid this and try to land on Sunday (if golf is not on the cards that day) or Monday.
I would head straight for Baltray (~1.5 hours from airport) for a game. If you can stay in the Dormy House do it. Nothing much else is happening around there so there is nothing to miss.
Next day up to Co. Down (~2 hours from Baltray). Try to stay in The Slieve Donnard. A decent hotel which you can walk to the course from. They sometimes put on reasonable rates. Newcastle is nothing special, so nothing to miss.
Next day up to Portrush (~2.5 hours from Newcastle). Afternoon game perhaps after a visit to Dunluce Castle or The Causeway. The Bushmills is a decent place to stay.
Now you have a decide what you would rather do. Stay up near Portrush or head back down to play Co. Down again. Either way, I would play one of these two again. If it was me, I would probably head back to Co. Down for a second game. This gets you in easy driving range of Dublin.
Next day head down to The Island for a game.
On the weekend I would hang in Malahide. It is easy to get into Dublin from there and the town has its own life for the evening if Dublin is too much of a hassle. Island View Hotel is a decent place to hole up. If you feel that a weekend game is necessary, The European Club and Portmarnock Links allow weekend play. Alternatively, Portmarnock is a possibility, but don't count on it.
I think it is possible to get a ferry over to either Islay or the Mull, but this would seriously eat into your time. Now if you flew into Belfast....
Ciao
Sean