Ireland 14 days, April 2027, public transportation only - newest itinerary draft

It will take you most of the day to get to Cork by way of Waterford, not including the time you spend in Waterford. That leaves one full day for Midleton, Kinsale AND Cobh? This really gives short shrift to the only two destinations on your original itinerary (Cork and Waterford). Could you not add one more night in Cork? I would take it from Galway.
Unless your flight is before noon, I wouldn't stay at the airport. Stay in nearby Malahide and take a taxi to the airport.

Hello
We did almost similar trip using public transport, local group tour and private hire in Aug 2024.
We didn't got to Cork or Kinsale.
We stayed in Killarney for 3 full days. Did Muckross House, Gap of Dunloe and Deros tour to Dingle.
From Killarney, the plan was to take buses to Ennis then to Doolin, where we stayed 3 nights. (We ended up took a taxi from Ennis bus station to Doolin).
From Doolin we did Aran island, Cliff of Moher then on the last day we hired private driver to see the Burren area and drop off in Kinvara for 1 night.
From Kinvara we took bus 350 to Galway, where we stayed 3 nights(daytrip to Connemara) before taking the bus for our flight out of Dublin. (We stayed in Malahide for our final night).
We could have skipped Kinvara and go all the way to Galway with our driver.
It was 500 euros but worth it, since it includes full day sightseeing.

You can certainly do Waterford on the way to Cork by taking a morning train from Dublin to Waterford then THE afternoon (not Sundays) train at 1625 to Limerick Junction, change for Cork (one of two trains a day) or the hourly bus #40 (which is an hour faster than the train) from Waterford to Cork.

The problem to solve is luggage storage for the day- on line sources say Nannybag but on checking that is no longer true.

Dingle to Galway is about 5 hours by bus with changes of 30 minutes each at Tralee and Limerick.

Cork to Dingle is 4 hours or a bit less by bus, change at Tralee.

G3rryCee,
Isn't there an Expressway #40 bus that takes about 2 hours from Waterford City to Cork? And I plugged in a Sunday, every hour.
I don't think I was clear.
That Sunday plan :
Dublin to Waterford
Waterford to Cork.

Thanks for all your help, as always.

Holly, I'll look at Malahide. I'm sure it's much more charming than an airport hotel. Thanks for all the details. Sounds like a great trip!

Pat, been meaning to respond because I did Ireland in March and live in the same city as you. If you want a splurge, check out Ashford Castle in Cong, about an hour from Galway. So wonderful and I think your husband would love their whiskey flights or classes. I bought a package that included breakfast, a multiple course dinner at George V restaurant (fabulous) and our room which was cheapest but still wonderful. We did historical boat tour and School of Falconery experience. I was going to return to SD for my 6th surgery in three years so I wanted a real send off from Ireland and Ashford Castle did it.
In Dublin I used points for rhe Conrad. We did the a Guru Walking Tour, Tours of Postal Museum (where uprising occurred), Epic Museum, Goal (the prison-can't remember the exact name) Book of Kells and Museum of Irish Literature. We took train from Dublin to Cork which worked out great.
I have to run out but will update who we toured with and stayed in Dingle and Galaway as well as where we ate.
The business class flights from SD to LHR and Dublin were very good. Dublin airport was user-friendly and get access to a non-BA lounge with your BA business class ticket (if my memory is correct).

Itsv, how did you get to that hotel in Cong?
I'm hoping to also take advantage of several credit card reward points.
How is your recovery progressing?
Thanks for the info. I look forward to hearing more!