Kenmare and Kilkenny are two of my favorite places, and are good bases for exploring places.

We stayed at O'Donnabhain's, a gastropub and B&B in the center of town, an old Victorian building renovated and clean, huge rooms. They also have self-catering lodges available, which might be cost effective for four if they offer short breaks.

Kenmare: The Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara are both stunning, as is the area around Killarney National Park.

Gleninchaquin Park in Beara is incredible, stone circles, waterfalls, just gorgeous. Very narrow road! Brightly colored towns along the Ring, lots of stone circles. We took a walk up through a forest and found two on a mountain, right next to each other.

Ring of Kerry - more traveled and wider roads, but more tourists than Beara. We enjoyed the 'extra' loop of Ballinskelligs, and Valentia Island. If the weather is nice enough, look into a trip to Skellig Michael, if you aren't afraid of stairs and heights!

Killarney National Park has Muckross House, Torc Waterfall, and Gap of Dunloe - fantastic place to walk, or ride with a pony trap.

That should just about fill of your Kenmare stay.

For Kilkenny, on the way between you should check out the Swiss Cottage, Cahir Castle, and the Rock of Cashel.
Kilkenny itself is a lovely medieval town, with a nice restored castle, and two lovely cathedrals. Nearby is Jerpoint Abbey, worth exploring. We stayed at Alcantra B&B, and the hostess was great. It's about 4 long blocks from the Castle, walking distance if you're up for it. We had a great night of trad music at Kyteler's Inn, and good food at Marble City, across the alleyway.

I assume you'll be renting a car? It really is necessary to explore all the good places

Check out my trip reports if you like - I went to those areas in 2002, 2006 and 2011!

THanks GreenDragon for your help!
Do You suggest a night in Cork and one less in either kenmare or Kilkenny? If so which would you do one less night?
THanks again
erb

bookmarking

I can't really recommend Cork, as I've never been there Not yet, at any rate! Ireland does tend to make one want to see it ALL, but of course, with limited time, you cannot. The decision I've made each time I'm in the area is that there are other things I'd rather see more than Cork (Ring of Beara was the last one I gave up Cork for). Next trip I am likely going with girls who have been on the Ring of Kerry before (I've been 3 times now) so I could skip that this trip for Cork.

Oh, and it's not outside the realm of possibility of doing a day trip down to Cork from Kenmare, either!