Self-guided walking vacation of Ireland: has anyone done this?

While this doesn't precisely answer your questions, I thought I might share a bit of information. In June 2011, two of us did a self-guided bicycle tour (aided by guidebooks by Rick Steves and Lonely Planet, among others) starting in Galway, out to Rossaveal, ferry with bikes to/from the Aran Islands, to Lisdoonvarna and the Burren in County Clare, down to Dingle and County Kerry, with a visit to Skellig Michael.

This took 2 weeks, including a few days in Dingle. A couple of longer stretches were covered by riding Bus Éireann, with our bikes stashed in the luggage hold. We were prepared for rain, but still got absolutely soaked one day, and had to pull up in the next town to dry out for a day.

Don't know what your experience was in England, and this may or may not be an issue on any level for you, but our experience was that if stepping off of a road onto any trail or field, one will encounter sheep dung, and footwear should be selected with that in mind!

Jmb:
We have not walked in Ireland, but have done it in the UK a few times.

You could try Googling "Walking Holidays Ireland" to see what comes up. Then make a list of questions, and see what kind of answers you get:

What routes are recommended? (I dont' know if there are long-distance national trails in Ireland like there are in the UK.)

Do they provide the services you want? Luggage transfer, etc? What will they charge you?

Are they local, and have they visited the properties personally? For me, this is a big one. you want someone who actually knows the area, and can give you some personal attention if you need it. Some booking companies have (literally) never set foot on the paths they recommend.

Once you narrow it down, look for recommendations and reviews of each company online. Sometimes the TripAdvisor forums will have helpful information.

I think once you do that homework, you'll be in good shape!

We've booked three self guided walking trips with Contours but not an Ireland trip. Contours books accommodations, luggage service and provides mapos, guides and route instructions. We've been very satisfied with the accommodations and service.
https://www.contours.co.uk/walking-holidays/ireland.php

Thanks to all! I appreciate your taking the time and sharing your experiences. We will continue to do research and see what we discover. We have traveled a lot in Europe over many years and are now at the point where we like to do different kinds of traveling, if you call self guided walking different, that is!
Thanks again!

Have a look at the Wicklow Way, just outside Dublin.

There is also the Western Way and the Royal Canal Way to mention a few more.