We recommend 3-6 months out, September is the 'shoulder season' for tourism so it should be a bit cheaper than summer prices. We will be monitoring prices and sending out messages if/when they dip, but we recommend keeping an eye on travel sites to find a good deal!
Cork is a smaller airport than Dublin, so if you fly into Cork directly you will certainly be making a stop in a bigger European city like Amsterdam, Paris, or London. There ARE direct flights into Dublin (about 3 hours from Cork) from cities like New York or Dallas, and transport between Dublin and Cork is very easy. Buses and trains are relatively cheap, so if flying into Dublin is less trouble or less money we definitely recommend it.
There are loads of hotels/Airbnbs/VRBO stays around Cork, with options listed on the 'Travel' section of this site. Rooms at the venue itself may be limited, so we recommend making plans for accommodations as soon as you know you are attending!
Quite easy, even for Americans who may be uncomfortable driving on the left. Cabs are readily available (there is an app that I will add a link for here soon), but if you ARE able to manage driving on the 'opposite' side, rental cars are readily available at Cork city airport and for a great deal.