Oh! So many replies to start this comment..... which to do first.... ok, I'll risk it:
What's wrong with 10 days in a pub?!!
OK, done....
I see you've put a VERY short time on the Ring of Kerry. Have you thought about golf at Waterville Golf Links or Dooks Golf Club? Both pretty spectacular (though I know September is the busy time at Waterville.....). There is a new golf course that just opened in Waterville - Hogs Head Golf Club. Not sure if it will be open to the public, or members only.... but two courses in waterville begs the suggestion to STAY in Waterville! (But I'm prejudiced....). Also you've left off the Skellig Ring, which is a part of the Wild Atlantic Way OFF the Ring of Kerry. Nice in so many ways - and tour buses miss this, so you can see things the typical tourist in a bus just dreams of! Also on the Ring (RoK) is McCarthy's castle ruin on the beach in Ballinskelligs; Ballycarberry castle ruin near Cahersiveen (also has 2 nice ring forts).
Also - you're spelling Killarney incorrectly through the entire question - just want to make sure you're getting good info when you google B&B's etc..... I stay in Killarney twice a month, so yes, strongly encourage Killarney Golf & Fishing Club.... but don't overlook Beaufort Golf Club and Ring of Kerry Golf Club, near by....
An alternative is Lahinch Golf Club when you're going from Galway to Killarney. I've not played it but friends from N.J. play it every time they come to Ireland for a run we do in August. They love it.....
Hop on Hop off in Dublin is fab. They sell a two day and it's often on Groupon. I used it when I'm there a couple of days for my regular bus, as it swings around all the places you want to be!
You say 2 1/2 hours from Dublin to Galway, but with traffic, maps being very wrong on timing versus reality, and the fact that you'll want to stop somewhere in between and enjoy sights (Athenry, for example) I would say give yourself 4 hours to get Dublin to where you stay in Galway. Seriously, don't trust Google maps or any other electronic map.
The drive from Killarney to Cork is beautiful!! Give yourself time to enjoy it and stop in, say, Glengarriff or Ballyvourney (castle ruin) or Macroom (castle). I know Blarney, well. If that's a priority I'd suggest staying nearby. There's a nice little village in Blarney, and lots of AirBnB (Apple Computer is based near here) so you may find a fun place to stay. The gardens at Blarney Castle are some of the best - so don't forget to add that time to your itinerary. I've actually ONLY been to the gardens, not the stone--- since I live here, though I've been to Blarney numerous times, I like to say "You don't have to do what everyone else does!" As your husband really wants to do that, I'd strongly suggest early or late - you want to be there when the tour buses are NOT!
One thing you don't mention other than golf is what you like to do - walking? history? museums? photography? Let us know what kinds of things you want to see/do and we can all give better feedback!
Sorry for this being so stream of consciousness!
Susan
Expat living in Waterville, Ring of Kerry
