First time to Ireland

This is easily do-able, but I'm not sure you will need that much time in Kinsale. It is a small town, and the main attraction is Charles Fort. Without a car the walk to Charles Fort might be too long for someone with a hip replacement ( I think it took me half an hour to 45 minutes), unless you don't mind paying cab fare. To get to Kinsale you have to catch the bus from Cork, and it's about an hour trip. Kilkenny might be another place you could spend a couple of nights or more. Or, you could steal a night from Killarney, and spend two nights in Kinsale, and two in Kilkenny?

Thank you for the tips. Will stay less days at Kinsale if it is a small town

I agree, too much time in Kinsale. I would add the day to Dublin and use some of the extra time to take the hop-on hop-off bus to get a great overview of the city. You can also hop off anywhere that looks interesting, look around, then get back on. As it stands, you only have one full day in Dublin, and you can't do much with that. You should be able to easily get a cab to Charles Fort in Kinsale, and it won't cost that much.
EDIT: I see that you have a full day back in Dublin at the end of your trip, too. I would suggest that you take the HOHO bus in your first couple of days. Then, on your return day, you can finish up seeing anything you missed the first time. Kilmainham Gaol is a must-see, in my opinion.

Greetings! We will also be in Dublin....and Kinsale on almost the same dates! We are, however, heading to Kilkenny For 10th and 11th, leaving Kinsale the 14th stopping by Killarney on the way
to Dingle. We leave on the 20th, so will make one other stop before returning to Dublin. I've been reading, watching and listening to RS far too long to miss a few days in Dingle! Perhaps you might like the area as well?

krmagness

Are you renting a car?

Yes, but only for part of the trip. We will train/bus the first part of the trip. We have also planned for a driver around the Dingle peninsula so we can really enjoy the views. We will rent 2 days in Cork area as I'll be researching 2 ancestors that departed Cobh in the 1850's from Macroom and Cooldaniel.

More details...train to Kilkenny, Train to Cork, from there you can take a bus to kinsale. Bus back to Cork where you can either take a bus or train to Killarney. There is a bus that then goes to dingle.

Thank you for the great inputs. We are changing the itinerary a bit to accommodate to go to Dingle Peninsula

HI from Wisconsin,

If you are not into very touristy...then you better skip Killarney. I have been around the entire coast of Ireland and crisscrossed the country many times. Killarney is the most touristified of all of Ireland. Killarney's Black Valley is nice, the city is horrid. And Kinsale has moved up the list for tourist visits. What was once a nice fishing village is now jam-packed with tourists. The forts nearby are of interest.

I do like the limited number of miles your plan suggests. Here are two suggestions. Just north of Dublin is the Boyne River Valley. Now it does contain New Grange a major tourist attraction. But the river valley is lovely and whether you go toward Drougheda to see Saint Oliver Plunkett's head or up stream to some nice vistas and small villages along the way. You can have a very Irish day trip. Trim, Hill of Tara, Slane, Navan, and Kells with its crosses. Trim castle is a bit further and maybe this can be an overnight.

South of Dublin is Glendalough. Again a tourist attraction with a car park big enough for busses. But the Wiclow Mountains are wonderfully wild. Druid Glen is nearby. Cut across to Kildare to visit St. Bridget's. A bit of a drive further, maybe an overnight so you can go slow is Abbeyleix with Morrisey's Pub, one of the best traditional pubs in Ireland and serves an excellent pint of Guinness.

When I look for non-tourists areas of countries I take their nation-wide tourism book (Fodor's, Fromers, Rick's book) and look for the counties that aren't covered. And I go there.

As always, Ireland should be sipped, one pint at a time. Slower is better. Ask for "a slow pint of Guinness, please." If ppoured correctly, it will take 4 maybe 5 minutes to get it. You'll think they forgot, but they haven't.

wayne iNWI

I am planning our first trip to Dublin, Ireland. Researching how to get around on public transportation. Is there a train from the airport to the center of town? Metro? Bus?
What time of year is the best weather?
Thanks!