Getting around Britain & ireland

[ED Larry]

so i am palnning a month or travel around britain and ireland before i head to europe. I plan using the whole month of aug this summer to britian and ireland.... my question is what is the cheapest way to get around?

I have looked at a britrail + ireland pass... it has your 2 ferry rides to ireland and back included... plus 4 days of travel, or i could get it with 8 days... do you think it would be smart to get that, or just get single point to point tickets?

thanks for the help in advance,
ed