BTW the fetival is 11 -15 Nov this year since the website has not been updated yet.

We're a week later. I found the festival information some time after we had booked everything. Oh well, we'll have a great time anyway I'm sure!

What about staying in Adare-your last night-It was 40 min to Shannon. Very clean and pretty town-some really good restaurants. And a celtic village.
I agree-conemare and southwest coastal towns were my favorites--the entire country is beautiful but these areas really stood out. Mizen Head and Sheeps head are by far more interesting and beautiful than the other peninsulas. Far more dangerous to drive-but not many tourists. Buses can't even reach sheeps head. Definately hike out to the lighthouse at both!
If you are flying into Shannon I would hit the Cliffs and maybe the Burren(if you aren't to jetlagged) andspend your first night in Ballyvaughn-go to Conemare the next day.

If you make it to the Sheepshead lighthouse, I would definitely have rain gear available. Storms come up in a hurry there and the walk is 30-45 minutes each way as I remember. Also, the trail gets pretty muddy, so appropriate shoes are a good idea.

Bill

Again, thanks for all the suggestions and commments!