Great news,
I would love to help but have only been to Ireland (Galway, Shannon, Dublin) and Scotland (Glasgow, and Edinburgh).
My suggestion since I went to each of these places over 1 week period is to take a look at the lay of the area you plan to visit on google maps and even print out some basic maps before going so you haved an idea where you are when you arrive. You can also see what trains run from city to city and that helps as well. It is fun to go with out planning, but is also a little chaotic and keeps you from having time to go and enjoy other things. The next time I plan on researching the areas we intend visit a little more. Check to see if there are any holidays that may give you trouble. While in Dublin the Queen visiting caused the Guinness storehouse and brewery to close early on the day that I was taking a tour and that was only a small part of the inconvenience she threw into my vist .
You are smart to ask for input. My brother was stationed over there for 3 years but is unavailable otherwise I would ask. He'd know alot about that area and potential obsticles as well as hot spots. I'll see if I can get a message to him anyway.
Good luck on this trip of a life time.
Jerry