If you pull up the map I posted I sent you to Kinsale via Waterford thinking that Waterford would be a good stop off for the new Glass displays and a bit of lunch? Then along the coast road by Dungarvan and Yougal maybe a look in at the Jamesons Distillery in Middleton and Down to Cobh for the night. I love Cobh its a wonderful working town with real genuine Irish people a couple of good museums and an amassing Cathedral. Your significant other will be more than happy with Fota house gardens and Blarney Castle gardens before you head to Kenmare on the main road N22.

http://www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com/

http://www.tours.jamesonwhiskey.com/Home/The-Jameson-Experience-Midleton.aspx

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=215571892271980732006.0004a17dfceeabfc6496d&z=8

The scenic route to Kenmare would follow the coast and take in Beara and the Sheepshead peninsula's but you will have time to do these from Kenmare if you chose. Taking the direct route gives you time to have a look around Cobh and Fota/Blarney.

http://www.eastcorktourism.com/cobh.php

http://www.fotahouse.com/

http://www.blarneycastle.ie/

-- Edited by tony2phones on Friday 22nd of April 2011 04:15:36 AM

Here's a LONG answer to your SHORT question: 

Seems like the consensus is via Cork.    

Now, given my history, it might be safely assumed that I would disagree -- but, in THIS case, I do NOT.     

Ireland is FILLED with many locations that are great places to STAY, and many MORE, that are great places to visit.

Think of the difference like this:  Great places to stay, need to be sipped slowly, and savoured, like a fine wine -- where as, great places to visit are more akin to downing shots!  

I absolutely think that Millstreet is perhaps the FINEST town in all of Ireland, but the route from Kilkenney to Kenmare via Millstreet is HARDLY the most scenic ...   UNLESS you are willing to wander and meander.  Recommending an over-night would do you AND Millstreet a GREAT dis-service.

Cobh, on the other hand -- while an interesting place to visit for the Cathedral, the Heritage Center and the Harbor views-- has never really 'Grabbed' me as a location for an over-night ...  

Were I you ( as opposed to YOU being ME    ), I would recommend an over-night  outside of Cork City, since it's only for one night.  That could mean Cobh, Kinsale or even Little Island ( the SAS Radisson Blu that I've stayed at the last two years). From Little Island, Cobh is just a short drive away, should you feel up to an additional excursion.  Likewise, as mentioned, Fota Island is also nearby

Given your hip problem, long drives on meandering, slow and potentially rough surfaced, narrow roads means long hours in the car, with few opportunities to stop and stretch..  instead, drive the N9 down to Waterford and then pick up the N25 to Cork.  Short and direct, on good roads that are wide enough to pull off (or, over!), should you need to stretch.

Hands down, the N71 through West Cork is truely a scenic delight, but it is LONG.  AA Roadwatch suggests the N22 toward Killarney, turning off onto the R569 in Clonkeen at Poulgorm Bridge as shortest -- and there ARE some interesting stops along the way, BUT ...

My recommended route FOR YOU is to take the N71 to Bandon, then turn off onto the R586 and follow it through Dunmanway and Drimoleague to rejoin the N71 just outside of Bantry.  THEN, merely continue via the N71 into Kenmare.  It is NOT the MOST scenic route, but it does have SOME great sights -- Bantry Bay, Caha Pass and some rugged, West Cork areas.

Ultimately, HOW you go is going to be dependant upon HOW you FEEL, on the day.  I've always claimed that I usually plan TWO trips before I go -- and then 'Pick-And-Choose' which plan to follow, as best suits, based on energy, interest, and the weather ...  

Given YOUR penchance for Planning, that MIGHT be my BEST suggestion yet!  

Bob

Michele: I need more detailed maps for route planning. I have been using the aa website for driving times, and it only gives a mini-map of the route. I also have a laminated map that's inadequate. Where can I get a better map with more details for driving and route planning? Do you recommend a particular map?

Current Challenge: How to break up the drive from Kilkenny to Kenmare with a 1-night stop?

I cannot seem to figure out how the ferry crossing figures into the drive from Kilkenny to Kinsale. On the aa web-site if you check the driving time from Kilkenny to Kinsale, it doesn't mention a ferry crossing, and it seems so much longer than the drive from Kilkenny to Cobh. I must be doing something wrong.

Oh yes...unfortunately, if we break up the drive from Kilkenny to Kenmare with an overnight, it will be a 1-night overnight on Saturday night. You said Saturday night is very busy in Kinsale.  Would Cobh be easier or better for a 1-night overnight on Saturday night? (Between Kilkenny and Kenmare.)

Bob has a lot of great info on route planning,   but I need a better map and a highlighter to follow his route suggestions. (I'm a bit geographically challenged.)

Melissa,

Don't forget to use my website. I have all ferries within Ireland listed on my Transport page. But this is the one we are talking about: http://www.passagewestmonkstown.ie/cross-river-ferry.asp

The ferry would be only if traveling from Cobh to Kinsale.

The free map from Tourism Ireland isn't bad. However, I've called them 3 times since January and nothing has arrived yet. The Michelin map (Ireland only - not Britain and Ireland) from any bookstore. The Ordnance Survey Atlas. Just looked at their website and they seem to be out of them. You might find them from another source. 

Try this: http://www2.aaireland.ie/routes_classic/ Get the "miles" and divide by 35 for better drive times.

Another overnight place to stop would be Blarney. No ferry involved.

Michele

You can do Kilkenny to Kenmare in a road total of under 4 hours.

So Plan B

Leave Kilkenny and head to Cashel (1hour) the guided tour is included in the entrance fee of E6 this is about an hours stop. From Cashel to Cahir (25 minutes) for the Castle and possibly Swiss Cottage so say two hours. Another (2 hours) plus any stops (maybe take a look at Millstreet?) gets you to Killarney on the main road instead of cutting the corner. Coffee and cakes before the last leg (1/2 hour) to Kenmare. Just another normal 8hour day on some good roads. Not that there is anything wrong with 85% of the rest of the roads in Ireland.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&doflg=ptk&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=215571892271980732006.0004a193ce2a9babf6d2d&ll=52.30624,-8.45151&spn=1.652583,3.532104&z=8

Another of my creations using Google maps which let me move the route around to suit varying needs.

Mitchelin 712 Ireland used to be up on my wall when planning trips and an old AA map which is now out of print sits in the glovebox of the car with the compass. Don't think you will be doing any exploring of strange Bohereen to go to that extreem.

Hi Michele: Thanks for the link to the ferry in County Cork on your web-site. I glanced at it and I will read more about it. I tend to get hooked on 1 web-site for route planning...and forget about the others! I keep forgetting you have a transportation section of your web-site! I will play with that.

I appreciate the other link you sent...with aa and google... It does give the option of selecting a route from Kilkenny to Kinsale via a ferry...now all I have to do is choose the right ferry! I guessed the Cobh ferry...and I glanced at the directions which were very funny, very Irish...as one of the steps said "turn onto an unnamed road". Ha Ha hee hee! 

I have realized one of my challenges is I've had lots more time to plan previous trips. But I'm trying to plan this trip which far less computer time...due to my bursitis of the hip and due to babysitting an active grandbaby. So I look at a new link...then I don't get computer time...then I forget about the link!

That reminds me of a book title. I'll Get There It Better Be Worth The Trip.

GreatIsland: Thanks for recommending an overnight in Cobh between Kilkenny & Kenmare. I'll enjoy exploring the link you provided for Cobh. 

The Scaffolding was initially a 5year plan to prevent more water seeping through the Limestone construction and causing further damage. Trust me it might spoil some of the views looking up from town but once you get up there it seems insignificant. There are a few minor disruptions and places you cant get to but nothing is taken from the experience. The guides are local Irish with good knowledge and tales. As an engineer I actually found the steel work and Aluminium sheeting an achievement in itself and have I already said that for 6 Euro you wont get better value for money anywhere else. It's 4Euro to park the car up the hill if there isn't a space on a street at the bottom, some of us might have a problem walking up the hill and wandering round the place for an hour but there are plenty of spots for a sit down. Whilst in Cashel have a look into the folk museum and IRA museum which are usually overlooked and I would guess many visitors wouldn't know the place existed, I can't remember anyone making comment or asking questions about it. That could also be said about many other of the towns features, you might also want to callin at the Bru Boru Heritage Centre which is slightly better known.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60242816@N02/sets/72157626573128992/

http://www.discoverireland.ie/Activities-Adventure/cashel-folk-village/419

http://www.cashel.ie/tourism.php?sect=Local%20Attractions

http://comhaltas.ie/locations/detail/bru_boru/

Michele, EngagingKate, & Tony2Phones: Thank you all for reassuring me unanimously that the Rock of Cashel should stay in my itinerary, in spite of the scaffolding.

Michele, I'd sure like to see the show at Bru Boru if its on. I looked but can't tell from the web-site if the musical evening is still on in mid-September...I think maybe not... I'm determined to hear it someday though. I'm glad to hear its worthwhile.

Tony2phones: Thanks for those new links, I'm looking forward to exploring them.