Drove from Fermoy to Tralee a few times. Fairly desolate so go into it with your eyes open. Fermoy would be a reasonable place to start. Good schools in St Colmans and in Ballingeary.
Great traditional music.
A Gaeltacht nearby.
Macroom has charm.
Good footballing country.
There is a touch of "fill aris" about it.
You have have UL, UCC, IT Tralee and WIT all within a bus ride so third level is not a problem.
Have a look at www.cso.ie to get a sense of population.
Also search on the Website for Cork and Kerry County councils. See where they have libraries and other facilities. In fact mail them if you have any queries.
Cork Kerry Tourism might also help.
You could go more towards the coast and down one of the peninsulas but I knowe nothing about down there.