Originally Posted by
ColumbiaPete
Yes, you'd definitely want to cut down a bit of that itinerary a bit if you only have 8 nights after Dublin.
I recommend picking up the car at Dublin Airport. Driving in Dublin City center is no fun at all. Renting at the airport means you can be on the M50 ring road (think "Interstate" in US terms) and it's easier to navigate there for a first-timer than going through the city.
ColumbiaPetes suggestion is good if you really dont want to drive in the city centre. Alternatively, you could take the train to Waterford (from Heuston station) and pick up a car there.
I think Waterford to Galway via Cork,Kerry & Clare is over ambitious in 8 days. It is doable, but do you really want to get up everyday and drive to the next location? I think you would enjoy the trip better if you took the smaller roads going through country towns and villages which would of course make your trip slower.