Mixing Work with Pleasure in Ireland - Suggested Itinerary

Such a lovely country so little time so lets make the most of it. Saturday as early as possible pick up the rental and drive to Glendalough. Absolutely gorgeous locale. From there via Kildare to the Rock of Cashel. Amazing spot. From there 2.5 hour drive to the Cliffs of Mohr. Spend the night in Doolin. EARLY Sunday start to Dingle via Ennis and Tralee.
2 nights Dingle. Day trip Slea Head and Dingle Peninsula. Pint at Foxy John's in Dingle. Next day drive to Gap of Dunloe, hike it, walk part of the way or take a trap (carriage) ride. Then head off to Killarney to see National Park and the Muckross house. Leave for Dublin early next morning. Last night in Dublin. Fly home.

I think Sunday 24 would be more enjoyable if you just did Slea Head drive from Dingle and didn't try to also include Ring of Kerry.

Since I am also planning a trip to Ireland and I am looking at the map (right now) I have a question for Claudia (hello again).

You said after visiting Glendalough to drive to the Rock of Cashel via Kildare??? On the map Kildare is above Glendalough and slightly to the left and the Rock of Cashel is below Glendalough and way to the left.....probably not the best way to describe a map but it seems that Kildare is out of the way? What am I missing here? Is it a question of better roads?

Greetings from Ireland. Claudia and Kathy are right in my opinion - maximise your time on the west coast. Ardmore is not a usual choice for an overnight, if you can be sure to maximise your nights in Dingle and if Doolin is a possibility then try to stay there, although it is often VERY quiet. April may be so.
It might be a good idea to drop the Ring of Kerry, once you've seen the Dingle Peninsula, then you are seeing the same topography by driving around the Ring of Kerry for another 3/4 hours.
Id stay and enjoy the town of Dingle more, I love it so much that I left my beloved North to relocate to Dingle and the Irish "deep south" :)
Let me know if you have any other specific itinerary questions
le meas/with respect
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide

OK, after reading everyone's comments and looking at the map, I have revised my itenary as follows:
Thu 21 – better half arrives early morning. Spend night in Dublin.
Fri 22 – Pick up rental car and head to Rock of Cashel. Tour it then head to Ardmore and stay at the Cliff House Hotel.
Sat 23 – head to Killarney and tour the Ring of Kerry then head to Dingle. Spend the night in Dingle.

Sun 24 – Head to Limerick and see King John’s castle then to the Cliffs of Moher. Spend the night in Doolin.
Mon 25 – Head back to Dublin, drop off rental car. Take double decker bus tour.
Tue 26 – Dublin
Wed 27 – depart for home

Thoughts? Any suggestions where to stay in Doolin?

I would cut Ring of Kerry and spend more time in Dingle. Driving the Dingle loop is more fun and the town of Dingle is great. Plus the drive you choose to head to the cliffs can be an adventure.

(My friend drove both as well just recently and said they were more impressed with Dingle and didn't really need to do the Ring of Kerry).