Travel Itinerary Suggestions for Ireland in November

Ireland will be going off daylight savings at the end of October, which means that sunset will be around 5:15 PM or thereabouts during your visit. Add the fact that you're bound to see some wet weather while you're there. Point being that you'll need to get started early each driving day to ensure that you'll arrive at your destination before nightfall. Don't want to be driving on unfamiliar roads, on the left, in the dark and in the rain.
Am assuming that when you say "Wicklow Park" you mean the National Park - mainly the Glendalough monastic settlement, which is well worth a visit on your way to Kinsale. Will make for a long day but an early start will make it do-able.
Suggest a couple of nights in Kinsale - lots to see and do in the area.
From there it's a relatively short drive to Killarney. Might suggest 2 (or better yet, 3) days there, using it as your base to explore the ROK and Slea Head Drive on the Dingle peninsula.
You can probably stop by the Cliffs of Moher on your way up to Galway. Might cross the Shannon on the Tarbert ferry just to make it a more scenic drive...and to avoid having to go anywhere near Limerick.
Have only done the ferry to the Aran Islands from Rossaveel - just west of Galway town. It was a direct shot from there to Kilronan on Inishmore, as opposed to what I'm told is a much more lengthy and meandering journey if you catch the ferry near Doolin.
Galway would be a good base not only for the ferry, but for exploring Connemarra, our favorite area in Ireland. From there it's a reasonably short drive back to Dublin.
We found a GPS to be quite helpful, as well as a good road atlas (Collins' in our case). Also benefited from previewing our daily drives using Google Street Maps - helped to have seen turnoffs, roundabouts, signage, etc before I had to negotiate them for real.
Getting out of central Dublin in a rental car can be pretty daunting unless you're familiar with driving on the left (and shifting with your left hand - since default rentals are manual transmission). Might consider returning the vehicle at the airport the evening before you fly out to avoid having to take it back into the city for drop-off.
Also, you know that Urquhart castle & Loch Ness are in Scotland, right?

Thanks so much! Very helpful information. One more question...have you heard of Ashford Castle? It looks beautiful.

Yes - beautiful place. The village of Cong is itself quite pretty. It's where the old John Wayne/Maureen O'hara flick "The Quiet Man" was filmed back in the 50's. Still looks like the movie set that it was back in the day.

Very cool. Love the film history. Thanks again!

And may Mary Kate Danaher ( Maureen O'Hara) rest in peace.

From Killarney to Dingle ( and u need to expierence Slea Head the Dingle peninsula), if weather is good to take a trap, hike, or drive the gorgeous Gap of Dunloe. Very unique and I nearly had it to myself on a November day in 2014. In Killarney , the National Park and Muckross house is worth your time.

Lastly why aren't you flying back to LAX from Shannon?

"And may Mary Kate Danaher ( Maureen O'Hara) rest in peace. "

Ah, it breaks the heart...

Yes we will be staying 3 nights in Dingle so the Slea Head is on our itinerary. Thanks for the input! And can anyone recommend a great B&B in Kinsale?

If you have enough ime , please try and visit and stay at the Ashford Castle. It is beyond outstanding. We were there with our TAUCK tour, a few years ago. Unfortunately, we were only there for two nights. We can't wait to go back. The castle and its grounds are spectacular.

Ashford Castle is now (with the new owners and even further upgrades) the third best hotel in the world, according to a recent Travel & Leisure magazine. We were there two years ago, and it was fabulous, so I can't even begin to imagine how wonderful it is now (with the upgrades, etc.). And, of course, their rates seem to have wiggled upward, too.

But, definitely stay there for a night or two. It truly is an experience you will remember for the rest of your life!! They offer specials from time to time, and if one does not show for when you might be there in November, just email them and ask if they have any special rates available. Definitely book the Hawk Walk with the School of Falconry at Ashford Castle. Clearly one of our favorite travel memories. You can find all sorts of videos people have posted on YouTube of their Hawk Walk experiences. I don't think you have to stay at Ashford to book the Hawk Walk.

If you have not already booked your return flight from Dublin, you might consider leaving from the Shannon Airport, which would save you backtracking to Dublin. And, Shannon is one of the few airports where you actually clear US Customs before returning to the US. And, since it is a relatively small airport, it makes departures easier (lines for security don't seem to be as long as in much larger airports, etc.).

If you leave from Shannon (or even if you don't), another wonderful hotel is Dromoland Castle. But, between Dromoland and Ashford, Ashford is a much more impressive "castle." But, both are truly lovely hotels, as is Adare Manor (which is also a reasonable distance from the Shannon Airport).

If you stay overnight in Kinsale, we can recommend the Old Presbytery Inn. We liked the room that is downstairs with the little balcony that overlooks the car park (which is a private, walled courtyard parking for guests only). The owners are dear people and they run a nice inn. Very clean and tasteful...easy walk to good restaurants, etc.

If you are near Ashford, check out Kylemore Abbey (not a place to stay, but a historic place to visit) and a drive thru Connemara is also lovely.

For Dingle, don't miss Connor's Pass....breathtakingly lovely.

Dress in layers, and definitely have some good shoes for moist weather. Pack a light pair of gloves, too. It can be very windy and chilly in Ireland (we were there in late August and wore two layers most days).

Have fun!! Safe travels. You'll LOVE Ireland.

If you have time on your way to Kinsale from Dublin, take in the Rock of Cashel. It's very impressive.