First trip to Ireland - itinerary help?

I think that sounds like a great trip. My wife and I did a somewhat similar trip two years ago - two nights each in Dublin, Kilkenny, Dingle, and Galway. There are, of course, other places you could stop and stay at along the way, but I think you've got a great itinerary to see the best of the island.

I would recommend stopping in Kilkenny at least for a few hours to see the castle and St. Canice's Catheral, among other things. I would also definitely see the Rock of Cashel - it was great.

No doubt I would stop at the Cliffs of Moher on the way from Dingle to Galway - we did, and they are spectacular. Note that you can take a ferry from Tarbert to Killimer, which was not very expensive and saves a decent amount of time over driving through Limerick. We followed Rick's drive through the Burren, and while the landscape is pretty incredible, it wasn't the best part of our trip.

For Dublin, we stayed at Staunton's on the Green, which we thought was great.. It's on the south side of St. Stephen's Green, so it's walking distance to almost everything in the city, but very quiet at night. http://www.stauntonsonthegreen.ie/.

For Dingle, we stayed at Browne's B&B, which I would highly recommend. It's an easy 15-20 minute walk from the very middle of town (so note that there are more centrally located ones). But the hosts were amazing, sat down with us and talked about what we wanted to do when we were there, gave us loads of advice about the town as well as the Slea Head drive, etc. Breakfasts were awesome there. http://www.brownesdingle.com/.

I wouldn't recommend where we stayed in Galway (the Connacht Hotel).

I wouldn't try to see Kilkenny AND Cashel as one day of sightseeing and still check-in in Kinsale. (Cahir Castle and the river walk to the 'Swiss Cottage' is just south of Cashel and could be added if you break the drive south up a bit.)

Once you're in southwest County Cork, you might want to slow down. I love the local produce and the photogenic rolling hills. This is cow country, while everywhere else is sheep. Think about making time for a Farmer's Market in Bantry, at bit of shopping in Kemare, maybe even Garnish Island--not to mention hiking the Dunloe Gap or touring the Muckross House in Killarney--on your way up to Dingle.

You'll want to wake up super early to fit in any sightseeing in on your way, if you want to make it to Galway before rush-hour traffic. I like staying in Clifden when I'm in county Galway. Too many panhandlers, and college kids who should be studying instead of loitering, in the city. Clifden is actually one of the closer large town to Inishbofin. Once you reach Westport, you're well north of that destination, yet still a county south of Donegal.

I can't comment anymore, since we had to head back to Dublin from Westport 'cause we ran out of time on our three-week trip.

Thanks so much for your input!