hobbes this is not great news from west cork i was kinda hopeing to get down there sometime this year. 
i know up my end of the country the cars drive pretty close at times ,but as long as you are aware of whats comming up behind you i feel all should be well.
there's no way cars are ever going to disappear from our roads no matter how much we wish they did. so we just have to be more careful. lighs are a great idea even during daylight hours .
Fellow called me today to ask if I was cycling and could he come; we haven't cycled together for a few years; it happened that I was meeting some pedalpals within the hour. We were listing the roads we used to cycle, even after dark, that are now lethal for bicyclists even in full summer daylight. A depressing catalogue.
You're experienced. You'll probably be okay if you take local advice and stick to the side roads. OS maps will be absolutely essential. But I couldn't in good conscience advise anyone who doesn't already have a lot of experience to take up touring in these parts.
From where I live, Bandon, the main roads to Innishannon, Clonakilty, Dunmanway and the old road to Cork via Barry's Cross now all qualify as lethal because they're all too small for the volume of traffic and the speed permitted. However, there are parallel ways of traveling, on prettier roads, sometimes in fact better roads. But you can't be in a hurry on those roads!
I advise not-so-experienced Americans and Germans who come here to take the bus from Cork, and then make daytrips around here on the small roads, and then take the bus to Bantry, etc. The alternative is to stick to the coast roads and take your time, going on the main roads only when you have to, or beyond the dangerous narrow sections.
It must be fifteen years now since I first saw the ominous leaflet in Vickery's Hotel in Bantry: "Safe bicycle rides around Bantry". That really stopped me.
Pfft. A really experienced tourer might think I'm an old woman and conclude that you gotta take your chances.
