Welcome to Michele's Forum!    

Ireland is one of those small places that is deceptively Larger than numbers suggest.  Internal travel is seldom done quickly and there is no truly central location that works for reaching all areas of interest.  The island is only 33,600 square miles (roughly the size of the US state of Indiana, at 35,900 square miles).  North to South, the island is roughly 302 miles at the longest point and approximately 175 miles, East to West, at its widest point.

Now, to people from North America, that SUGGESTS that a central location would place you no further than 150 miles, N/S and under 80 miles, E/W from anywhere.  using USA standards, you might think that from that central point, the furthest drive (150 miles) would mean that you are within two or two and one-half hours drive from the most distant point.  In truth, driving 150 miles in Ireland will likely require a Drive Time of anywhere between 3 and 6 hours -- in EACH direction -- depending on the type of road, weather, traffic and time of year!

General 'Rule of Thumb' for determining DRIVE TIME (which does NOT count in time spent visiting various attractions along the way, or stopping for meals) is by using mapping software like Google maps or www.theaa.ie/routes and dividing the miles by either 30 or 35 MPH (as an average speed).  If the displayed distance is in Kilometers, divide by either 50 or 55 KPH.

For a more definitive answer, we would need to know your agenda:  Which airport for In / Out?  How many days?  Which days?  What do you hope to see / do?  What mode of transport -- self-drive car rental, bus and train? Nightly budget?