I am a 38 year old female and am planning a trip to Ireland in May. I am flying into Dublin and renting a car. I plan to spend a couple of days in Dublin and then drive to Kilkenny, Cork, Waterford and Wexford before returning to Dublin. Is it safe to travel alone there? I'd appreciate any experience.

It is safe, check out Carzymina's trip report on Ireland when she went solo. Just be aware like anywhere of situations that may not be good for you and be careful of drunken strangers late at night

That is meant to say crazymina.

I have done this twice for 5/6 days as an add-on to a business trip. the first time I tried to use the train and it was a bust - too slow and inconvenient. the second time I drove and enjoyed it much more.

Ireland is very safe and I never felt the slighest trepidation. Met many congenial people to share a meal with in hotels and restaurants - and would do it again in a minute.

Only one caveat - see if you can get a cell phone with your car rental. I met one older couple who got a flat tire on a small side road and had to wait more than an hour for someone to come along who could change it for them (and I would have been in the same predicament - don't have a clue how to change a tire).

As safe or safer than anywhere you could travel. One suggestion - don't pick up your car until you are leaving Dublin. You don't need or want to drive in the city. So rent the car from the morning of your third day and pick it up on your way out of Dublin.