Excellent, glad to hear you are all about you in a good way :-)
OK, if you don't pack the massage oil, go out and get the Lonely Guidebook to Ireland!!!! It has by far the coolest stuff and best info for nonstandard (Ireland beyond the Blarney Stone) travellers.
BTW, the Ring of Kerry bus tour is pretty good (the smaller the bus the better). I mention this only because it is a highlight for many people and I don't think a driver could enjoy the drive because it would be so terrifying (lol) for the driver and passengers. Some of the cliff roads are NARROW beyond belief!
FYI, in the morning at breakfast you'll likely be offered lots of meat. Black pudding=blood sausage. Oh, and scrambled eggs will be what they call "creamy" which means "runny and not cooked." Eek!
Oh, also, I think maybe you mentioned you had roots over there? If so, if you know the town and visit it, you might find out alot just by asking around at the pub. They'll know who knows what about which families, etc., and can direct you to the right folks. So, good luck with that if it is something you enjoy.
