Welcome to Michele's Forum!  I'm glad that you are able to be making a return to Ireland.  I'm a bit concerned about your Arrival Day plan, but with careful attention, it CAN done.

Shannon to Kinsale is an awfully long haul when fresh off an overnight flight.  Even though Google calls the 152-kilometer drive at just over two hours, the N20 is a notoriously slow road that has seen little significant improvement over the years. I suspect ACTUAL drive time will be closer to 3 1/2 hours, door-to-door.

Beyond that, the rest of your plan seems reasonable.

Have you booked a car yet?  Demand is WAY up and Supply is WAY down -- so prices are semi-astronomical!

You don't mention your interests, so advising sites is a bit problematical -- as what is interesting to ME might not hold much appeal to YOU.  It would also help to know what general routes you plan to follow.  For example:

On the drive from Kinsale to Kenmare, will you follow the SW coast, along the N71, head inland, via Bantry, or follow the most direct, N22 / R569? 

Departing Kenmare for Cong, do you plan a visit to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, or stops in Limerick and / or Bunratty?

Nancy,

Welcome to the forum. You will see a lot of changes in Ireland since your last visit 18 years ago.

Hopefully your husband will get some sleep on the plane and be fresh for the drive to Kinsale. If he is tired I suggest frequent stops to get coffee or stretch the legs and wake up. About halfway between Shannon & Kinsale is the small town of Kilmalock with ruins of two churches and a castle gate in town. There is a small museum beside the larger church ruin that is free. That would require a small detour from the main motorway but it is one of those out-of-the-way places that make Ireland special. Blarney Castle & Gardens is just a few miles from Cork, but perhaps that is on the agenda for day 2? Just across the harbor from Kinsale is Cobh, which is a charming town with The Queenstown Museum, St. Colman's Cathedral and colorful houses. It was Titanic's last port of call.

Many good restaurants in Kinsale. A few I can recommend: Jim Edwards, Dino's, Vista Wine Bar. You can drive across the bridge and turn left to visit The Dock Pub. It brings to mind the lyrics "sitting by the dock of the bay". Just up the hill from the pub in James Fort.

If you really want off-the-beaten-path try Gougane Barra (between Cork & Kenmare)

You are in for a treat staying at the Park Hotel. Kenmare is my favorite small town in Ireland. On your second day you should consider driving the Beara Peninsula. A couple of articles about it:

Gleninchaquin

Tea at Josies

Lots of good restaurants in Kenmare: No. 35, Limetree, Davitt's, Foleys, Park Hotel. 

I will finish with Cong on my next post.

Hi! For your drive from Shannon to Kinsale, consider stopping by the stunning Cliffs of Moher and the charming village of Adare for some sightseeing and lunch. In Kinsale, be sure to check out Fishy Fishy Cafe for delicious seafood and Bulman Bar for an authentic Irish pub experience.

In Kenmare, take a scenic drive along the Ring of Kerry and explore the picturesque Killarney National Park. For dining, try Mulcahy's Restaurant for traditional Irish cuisine.

While in Cong, don't miss the chance to visit Kylemore Abbey and explore the beautiful Connemara region. For dining, Ashford Castle's George V Dining Room offers a luxurious culinary experience.