There's so much to choose from and we all have our favorites. My favorite small towns in Ireland are in order:

1. Westport, County Mayo. I keep returning here at least once every 2-3 years since 1990. Reasons this is my #1 town.

a. Pubs galore: There are over 30 of them. Plenty of opportunity to enjoy some live traditional music and interact with locals. Just don't limit yourself to Matt Molloy's pub. By all means go Matt's too but make sure to visit some of the other pubs as well. For example, Hoban's can be a lot of fun on a Friday or Saturday night and a good locals hangout.

b. Restaurants: It's become a nice place as a culinary experience as well. The An Port Mor restaurant is one of the best I've ever visited in Ireland.

c. Scenery and Day trips: Not many towns can boast of a view of Croagh Patrick or can claim to be on a beautiful bay like Clew Bay. The town itself is really nice and clean and fun to walk around. You can easily do day trips from there to Connemara, Joyce Country, and Achill Island (not to mention other parts of County Mayo).

d. Craft Beer: Well not important to most people but it's kind of an added bonus for me that Westport has become a mini craft beer destination in the West of Ireland. The West Mayo Brewery is on the road towards Castlebar. The Mescan Brewery is in Westport in the shadow of Croagh Patrick. Reel Deel Brewing is up in Ballina. Quite a few pubs in town are supporting these breweries and their products are excellent. I'll take West Mayo's Stout over Guinness any day and twice on Sundays. They've even started doing an annual craft beer festival at the Westport House at the end of May called the "Grainne Ale" festival. I'm going to that this year btw.

e. Accomodations: plenty to choose from in the town itself or short walking distance. I lament the loss of the Olde Railway Hotel that closed quite a few years ago but love the Wyatt Hotel at the Octagon almost as much. If B&B's are you're thing there are plenty.


2. Clifden, Co. Galway is my second favorite. It a bit smaller than Westport but scores pretty high in all the characteristics I've mentioned above. Yes even craft beer as the Independent Brewery of Carraroe is not too far off and you've also got Galway Hooker and Galway Bay breweries in the county.

3. This is a tie between Ballyvaughn and Kinvara. Ballyvaughn being the quieter of the two but with one of the best pubs in the country with O'Lochlains. Kinvara is a good spot for pubs and trad music.

I'm not nearly as knowledgeable about the southwest as Michele and others here. I've never stayed in Kenmare but many, like Michele, have talked about how nice it is. But since you say you're going to be spending your second week in the Southwest anyhow then maybe something up on the West coast like Westport or Clifden is a perfect compliment to that.

Good luck!

Mark