Following many helpful suggestions on this board I've reworked our itinerary to limit some of the driving and realizing we can't see everything in one trip. We have 9 days and 9 nights, leaving on Day 10, May 19-28.
First 2 days - Dublin. We arrive at 7:30 am and think we can do some limited walkabout the 1st day depending on effects of jet lag, then the hop-on hop-off bus tour the 2nd day.
Day 3 - 21 May. Drive to Kilkenny, visit Kilkenny Castle, St Canice Cathedral. Spend the night at a nearby B&B.
Day 4 - 22 May. Drive to Ennis for 2 nights, visit Bunratty Castle & Folk Park on the way.
Day 5 - 23 May. Fleadh Nua, Ennis
Day 6 - 24 May. Visit Cliffs of Moher, 1 night at Atlantic Sunset B&B which is right nearby. (Wanted a couple of nights there but they were booked)
Day 7 - 25 May. Quick visit to Doolin (or not), then a scenic (?) drive toward Westport for 2 nights at Moher House B&B. Google maps takes us east of Galway and Lough Mask. Would it be better to go up through Galway and west?
Day 8 - 26 May. Visit Kylemore Abbey and Connemara NP.
Day 9 - 27 May. Long drive through the Irish countryside to Carlingford, Why Carlingford? My wife's maiden name is O'Hare which is the reason for the trip, and she needs to visit P.J. O'Hare's Irish Pub. Google maps takes us near Ballaghaderreen which is mentioned in a book she has read.
Day 10 - 28 May. Return rental car. Flight home scheduled for 12:25pm departure.
Suggestions and advice from natives and experienced travelers will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance.