Welcome to Michele's Forum.

Eight days makes for a delightful, 'First Taste' of Ireland.  You are wise to limit your sites to the SW portion with that timeline.  Given your wish list, a self-catering base in Kenmare, Killarney or Killorglin would probably best suit.  Securing one at this late date MIGHT be difficult, but there are LOTS to choose from.

http://www.irelandyes.com/irelandselfcatering.html

You would likely need to rent it for a full week -- one that typically ends on Fridays.  Partial week / non-traditional periods can sometimes be negotiated.

Last June, four of us rented an in-town 2 bedroom apartment in Killarney that included parking from: http://www.parkplacekillarney.com/     

In April of 2012, a one-bedroom with balcony (parking NOT provided):  http://www.thecourtyardkillarney.com/penthouses.php 

Skellig Michael is VERY weather-dependent and NOT for the faint-hearted ---  

OPW Safety Video:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuJ8Dw_iNwU

More info:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nb0lFoKhas

A lot depends upon your goals and ambitions.  I've 'done' Dingle a number of times -- Both involving an over-night, as well as in a 'day trip' from various external bases.  Based upon interests and available time, the peninsula can be enjoyed in a few hours -- OR -- a few days.  That is the JOY (and MISERY) of visiting Ireland!  It is SO jam-packed FULL of interesting sites, vistas and people that even those of us who visit regularly and often, can STILL manage to discover new and interesting things around nearly every corner . . .

Day Trips:  In 2005, we rented a house in Killorglin.  http://ireland.activeboard.com/t35423148/old-report-june-2005-round-ireland-in-a-mini-bus-the-guilty-/

In 2011, we visited whilst based in Adare.     http://ireland.activeboard.com/t42977148/march-april-in-adare-a-tale-of-joy-and-woe/ 

In 2012, we based in Killarney:   http://ireland.activeboard.com/t49038325/scenes-from-a-wedding-april-2012/

   From Killarney, the drive to Dingle town takes about 1 1/2 hours, with brief, photo stops along the way -- Inch Strand (beach) and a few of the scenic 'pull offs' just beyond it being most memorable.  The Slea Head Drive beyond, with stops at the promontory Fort, Beehive Huts, Gallarus Oratory and Kilmakeadar Church, will take 3 - 3 1/2 hours, before returning you to Dingle Town.  From there, driving via Connor Pass (briefly stopping at the observation car park and the waterfall slightly beyond) will bring you back toward Tralee and eventually, Killarney and will take about 2 hours. 

Given the vast amount of day light available in August, it makes for a long, fascinatingly interesting, scenic, yet easily-paced day.

NOT my normal 'Go To' Ireland info source, but this article DOES show some interesting details: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ricksteves/dingle-peninsula-loop-trip-20272095/?no-ist

Ireland Travel Rules

Rule #1:  For EVERY rule there is an EXCEPTION.

All OTHER Rules:  See Rule #1!     

With Eight days, In-and-Out of Shannon and interest in Galway, Dingle, Killarney and Kinsale -- Here is ONE suggestion:

Whilst I can think of NO place in Ireland that isn't worth a visit -- I agree with Michele (NO surprise, there!  ) that you should 'Drop' Kinsale.  While it IS a lovely, sea-side, harbor town -- SO is Galway and Dingle.

Day 1:  Arriving in SNN, early in the AM after an over-night flight, head to Galway (about 2 hours by car)  for two or 3 nights.  Park the car and visit / tour the city, catch a nap and acclimate.

Day 2:  Take a drive out into Connemarra  --   http://ireland.activeboard.com/t50055177/n59-galway-route/   

Day 3:  Day trip to Inis Mor    http://www.aranislandferries.com/inis_mor.php   

Day 4: Drive to Killarney via Limerick and Adare.  Visit some of Killarney's many attractions.

Day 5:  Day Trip to Dingle

Day 6:  Day trip to Blarney and Kinsale    OR    (MY choice)  Daytrip to Kenmare and Healy Pass, returning via Glengarriff and the N71

Day 7:  Gap of Dunloe Tour  OR Ring of Kerry drive  -- Note that Kenmare to Kilorglin via Killarney constitutes about 20% of the 'Traditional' Ring of Kerry route.

Day 8:  Drive to Ennis or Bunratty via the Cliffs of Moher to over-night for your departure the next day.

It would also be possible to break this up into 1 and 2 night stays -- 'Touring Your Way' between destinations, too -- but this might afford you the possibility of Self-Catering in Killarney town, as you originally requested.

Just realized that I didn't directly answer your previous questions about ROK and Skellig --

If you had two weeks for the area, I would give a definite YES to tour the FULL Ring of Kerry -- and not just the 'Tour Bus' section -- but you only have 4 - 5 days, so I repeat that the N71 from Kenmare to Killorglin constitute "enough" -- when included with the Dingle drive and Slea Head.

I have never visited Skellig Michael and although I would LOVE to, I'm not certain that this reasonably fit, nearly 63 year old, lifetime smoker is up to the challenge -- Particularly, since my wife is leery of heights, small boats and open ocean!         

After watching the OPW video that I provided the link to, if YOU still wish to do so -- Be aware that visits there are HIGHLY weather-dependent -- and have an alternate plan in hand, should the trip be canceled.  Departures are from Portmagee -- about 1/2 around the ROK -- so bear THAT in mind, as well.

Like Dingle, the N59 Connemarra 'Loop' can be stretched over DAYS -- OR seriously 'compressed' depending upon weather, interest and available time.

The N59 Route map includes a few good castles -- like Aughnanure      http://www.oughterardtourism.com/mysitecaddy/site3/attractionsaughnanurecastle.htm

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is well worth a visit.

One of the finest Restored Castle tours is at Ross Castle, in Killarney.

My 'Go To' site for ruins and restorations is:  http://www.megalithicireland.com/  You can select 'Fortifications' for an over-view, or use to side panel to search by County.  It's also a Great source for Abbeys, Monasteries and Round Towers.