We are traveling to Ireland early October. I have been to Ireland before, my husband has not. We have decided to focus on the south - Dublin and Galway being the northernmost points. We are traveling from Toronto and arrive Dublin mid morning on October 8th and depart Dublin mid morning on October 16th. Wish we had more time, but this is all the time I can afford to take off work and hope to get the most bang for our travel time. We like off the beaten path, small towns, nice pubs and good food. Here's my plan thus far....

October 8 & 9 - Dublin
October 10 - pick up car @ Dublin airport and drive to Kilkenny - then on to Cashel - overnight in Cashel
October 11 - drive to Kinsale - overnight in Kinsale
October 12 - drive to Kenmare - overnight in Kenmare
October 13 - drive to Dingle - overnight in Dingle
October 14 - drive to Galway - overnight in Galway
October 15 - drive to Tara - overnight in area
October 16 - depart Dublin

Wanting to see quaint towns and make stops along the way.

Greatly appreciate your feedback and suggestions.

Thanks.

Okay, just a few suggestions for quaint towns or stops. I tried to sort them by the travel dates you mentioned.

Oct 10
Dunmore Cave, 10km North of Kilkenny, just a minute off N78.
Fethard, tiny walled town, between Kilkenny and Cashel, not on direct R691 but slightly South on R692.

Oct 11
Caher, castle & Swiss cottage
Glen of Aherlow, taking you a bit West off the direct route, from Cashel to Tipp. Town on N74, then South on R664, West on R663 through the Glen until you go South on R662 to Mitchelstown where you will meet your direct route to Cork again (M8)

Oct 14 (nothing off the beaten path here)
Ennis, almost everybody's darling in the West, as well as
The Cliffs of Moher
Quin Abbey, only a few kms West of Ennis, is nice to visit
If you do not take the Shannon ferry from Talbert to Kilrush:
Adare

Oct 15
Clonmacnoise, bit South of N6, take R357 to Shannonbridge, R444 to Clonmacnoise, and R444 further on back to N6/M6.
Kilbeggan, on N6, small old Whiskey destillery to visit

Happy travels!

Michelle9,
Hi! I went to Ireland in April 09 and did a similar itinerary. I was with my 3 children so a little more hectic. I would advise making two of your stays 2 nights. We were also in and out of places and it is too hectic. For example, we stayed in Kilkenny for one night, left to visit Rock of Cashel, Cahir, Swiss Cottage and then arrived in Kinsale for our overnight. One night in Kinsale afforded us no time to see Kinsale. We did Dublin 2, Kilkenny 1, Kinsale 1, Kenmare 2, Dingle 2, Lahinch 2. Cut something out and think that you might get there again.
I loved where we stayed:
Kilkenny - Rosquil House
Kinsale - Rivermount House (a bit out of town)
Kenmare - BrookLane Hotel or Lodge
Dingle - Castlewood House (awesome)
Lahinch - Vaughan Lodge
Good luck!

With the exception of your first two nights in Dublin, realize that you are changing locations <b>every night.</b> That is a LOT of driving, checking in, checking out, packing, unpacking. I think that most of what you'll be seeing will be through car windows. I understand that you want to make the most of this trip, but I really believe that you'll enjoy it more if you pick two or maybe three locations and give yourself time to enjoy them.

Remember, though Ireland is a small country, you can't move very quickly. You may know this from your previous trip, but averaging about 35mph is a decent rule of thumb.

What jent said - really. It does take a surprising amount of time to relocate, find your B&B, check in, unpack, pack, check out, find the landlady to pay, and get on the road each day.

I agree with the recommendation to stay in a couple 2-nighters - Perhaps skip Kenmare or Kinsale and stay the other night in the one you keep? Instead of Galway and Tara, pick one for two nights?

I've done trips with a different B&B each night, in Scotland, and in Ireland. Never again - I would much rather get to know the little charming towns and pubs than see them through a blurry car window.