Countryside scenery, local pubs w/live music- suggestions?

If you want to fly into Dublin and tour 1 day then do that. After you are finished, take the train to Galway since you aren't renting a car and go on an organized Cliffs of Moher tour from that west coast city. After Galway and organized trips from there head to Limerick or Cork by train and take some southwestern or southern trips from those hubs. There is also a bus system to get you to some destinations. Without a car you will have only local bus access to small towns.

You might want to clarify, are you spending a total of 5 days in Ireland as part of a larger trip?

On the safety issue, I have never felt unsafe in Ireland, even in Dublin. As you are street smart, I don't think you will have any problems.

Regarding the safety issue, you should have no worries, with the possible exception of getting tripped over by drunk guys from stag parties in the Temple Bar area of Dublin. I spent three weeks in Ireland several years ago, a week in Dublin and Belfast with students, and then two weeks on a solo driving tour in the countryside. While a couple of very narrow single-track roads made me nervous, nothing else did. I met lovely people at the B&Bs where I stayed, and it was one of the most relaxing vacations I've ever taken.

I don't know how accessible the Connemara area north of Galway is without a car, but the scenery up there is gorgeous. For that matter, the Burren, which you will pass through between the Cliffs of Moher and Galway, is striking as well, though in an entirely different way. My favorite town was Dingle, both for the town and for the trad music scene, but that's off in the far southwestern corner of Ireland and is probably not practical for you to visit given your time frame. Doolin and Galway are both good places for live music on the west coast. I can't really help with accommodations, as I didn't stay in any hostels and was aiming for middle-of-the-road B&Bs when it came to price.

I wish you a wonderful trip, and clear weather the day you go to the Cliffs of Moher! By the way, if you can arrange to be there at sunset on a clear day, it's a sight to see.

Maybe Lisdoonvarna? Cute little town with a cheap hostel and a great pub that is well known for music--impromptu and scheduled. There is an attached dance hall, too. I had a car, but there is an express bus from the cliffs. You should also be able to access the Burren from Lisdoonvarna (day trips).

To clarify I'll be traveling alone, haven't booked any tours yet anyway but not opposed to it either. So I just want to make sure I can get to places pretty easily :) All great recommendations! Thank you all!!! One more follow up question - where are the best views of Cliffs of Moher? (bus or train accessible) :)

When you visit the cliffs, there is a big parking lot for private cars across the road. Buses park in a lot in front of the visitors' center. I think they are charter buses--you can check on that. You probably book out of towns etc. There is no train.

The visitors' center is built into the hillside. You access the views from the visitor center and the big parking lot. Access from other directions is restricted as it is dangerous: people are blown off the cliffs by the wind every year. Foot traffic along the cliffline also damages the site by tramping down the vegetation and exposing the soils to weathering. You need to stay in the 'legal' areas.

Oh and you needn't be concerned about travelling solo. All will be well. :-)