The best times of year to tour the Ring of Kerry: A seasonal guide to Ireland’s most scenic drive

You’ve heard whispers about it. Maybe a friend returned from Ireland wide-eyed, raving about “the drive of a lifetime.” Or you saw a photo: waves crashing against ancient cliffs, mist curling around mossy mountains, and thought, I want to go there.

Welcome to the Ring of Kerry.

This 179-kilometre loop along Ireland’s south-west coast is the stuff of legends. And not just because it’s beautiful (though it certainly is). It’s how it makes you feel. Peaceful. Small, in the best way. Connected to something timeless. Whether you’re gazing across the still waters of Lough Leane or standing where monks once lived on a rock in the middle of the Atlantic, the Ring has a way of stirring something in you.

But here’s something most travel sites won’t tell you. When you visit matters. A lot.

You see, Ireland doesn’t really have a “bad” time of year. Every season offers a different kind of magic. Some months are lush and lively. Others are golden and quiet. Choosing the right time can mean the difference between ticking off attractions and feeling like you’ve truly found Ireland.

And if you’re considering hiring a private driver for all or part of your trip (something many of our guests opt for), timing can also affect ferry schedules, hotel availability, and how busy the roads will be.

Let’s walk through the seasons. Not just weather stats (though we’ll include those), but the mood. The light. The festivals. What’s blooming. Whether the air is crisp or lazy. And most importantly, how it will feel to be there.

Spring (March to May): When Ireland wakes up

Spring in Ireland is subtle. You won’t find tulip-lined avenues or blazing heat. What you will find is a soft reawakening: buds on trees, lambs in the fields, and a gradual lifting of winter’s veil.

What to expect

• Temperatures: 7–15°C (45–59°F)
• Daylight: 10 to 16 hours by late May
• Crowds: Low to moderate
• Rain: Yes, but often passing showers

By March, the landscape begins to glow again. Gorse flowers burst into brilliant yellow. Trees start to bud. Wild primroses appear on hedgerows, and the scent of new grass fills the air.

The biggest benefit is that you’ll have the Ring practically to yourself.

Fewer tour buses. More time to linger at scenic overlooks. If you have a private driver, they’ll have complete flexibility to take the smaller, more scenic back roads. You’re not rushing. You’re meandering, exactly as the Irish would.

Spring highlights

• Killarney National Park: In April, the woodlands burst into carpets of bluebells. Rhododendrons start to bloom, and birdsong echoes through the trees
• The Gap of Dunloe: Before the summer pony traps arrive, this narrow pass between two valleys is peaceful and untouched
• Derrynane House and Beach: This former home of Daniel O’Connell reopens in spring, surrounded by gardens just beginning to stir. Walk the beach and watch the Atlantic roll in under grey skies. It’s hauntingly beautiful
• Local life: There are fewer big festivals, but you’ll experience Kerry as the locals do. Pubs filled with neighbours and traditional music. A slower rhythm. A real sense of place

Best for

• Romantic couples
• Nature lovers and photographers
• Second-time visitors looking for a quieter, more soulful experience

John’s tip

Many boutique guesthouses and luxury B&Bs reopen in March. If you’re working with a private travel planner, they can help secure cosy, scenic accommodation before summer pricing begins.

Summer (June to August): Long days and lush views

Summer is when Ireland struts its stuff. It’s not hot by American standards, but it’s the brightest, busiest, and most energetic season of the year. If you want long evenings, full access to attractions, and the most vibrant scenery, this is the ideal time.

What to expect

• Temperatures: 15–21°C (60–70°F)
• Daylight: Up to 17 hours
• Crowds: High
• Rain: Still there, but usually in shorter bursts

This is the high season, and it comes with energy. Everything is open. Tour boats are sailing. Musicians are playing in the streets of Kenmare. Wildflowers blanket the hills. And while roads can get a bit busy, particularly the popular stretch between Killarney and Sneem, a private driver takes the stress out of it all.

You sit back. You enjoy the view. Someone else navigates the bends and hedgerows.

Summer highlights

• Skellig Michael: Only accessible by boat in summer, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Ireland’s great treasures. You’ll climb 600 ancient stone steps to a monastic site built in the 6th century. An unforgettable, weather-dependent experience that must be booked well in advance
• Ladies View and Muckross House: Lush and green in June and July, these iconic stops shine in full bloom. A good driver will help you get there early, before the tour coaches
• Festivals and music: Cahersiveen’s Music and Arts Festival, Kenmare’s Fair Day, and countless smaller gatherings are buzzing in summer. There’s always something to stumble upon
• Golden beaches: Rossbeigh Strand and Derrynane are at their best. The Atlantic is bracing, but you might just dip your toes

Best for

• First-time visitors
• Families and multi-generational trips
• Travellers who want vibrant landscapes and lively towns

John’s tip

Visit in late June for the best balance: long days, lush scenery, and lighter crowds before schools break for summer.

Autumn (September to November): Golden light and slow roads

If summer is the headline act, autumn is the private encore. The tour buses thin out. The pace softens. The light turns golden and everything feels a bit more reflective.

This is the season for travellers who like things a little quieter, a little moodier, and a little more poetic.

What to expect

• Temperatures: 10–15°C (50–60°F)
• Daylight: 7 to 13 hours
• Crowds: Low after mid-September
• Rain: Yes, but beautiful in the mist

September is an especially lovely time to visit. Most everything is still open, but the crowds are gone. The trees in Killarney National Park shift to rust, amber, and deep crimson. Even a simple drive becomes cinematic.

Autumn highlights

• Photographer’s dream: That low-angled sunlight creates gorgeous contrasts between golden fields and moody skies. Bring a good camera, or just use your eyes
• Harvest season: Markets in Kenmare and Killorglin overflow with local produce, cheese, and baked goods. Great weather for warm soups and brown soda bread by the fire
• Off-the-beaten path: The smaller roads, such as Ballaghisheen Pass or the Skellig Ring, are wonderfully peaceful. With fewer cars, your driver can take you to remote lookouts and hidden ruins
• Ancient sites in stillness: Standing alone at a 3,000-year-old stone circle in the autumn mist is a moment you’ll never forget

Best for

• Couples and solo travellers
• Writers, artists, and romantics
• Visitors seeking a slower, more atmospheric journey

John’s tip

October is particularly lovely. The air is crisp, the trees are fiery, and the roads are yours.

Winter (December to February): Quiet roads, wild beauty, and firelit evenings

Let’s be honest. Winter isn’t for everyone. Some sites are closed. Weather can be dramatic. But for the right kind of traveller, this is the most intimate, raw, and reflective time of year.

There’s a stillness here that’s impossible to capture in photos. You have to feel it.

What to expect

• Temperatures: 2–8°C (35–46°F)
• Daylight: 7 to 9 hours
• Crowds: None
• Rain and wind: Yes, and the occasional storm, but often broken by bright, clear days

Winter strips away the gloss. What’s left is the soul of the place. You’ll find solitude. Peace. And the kind of moments that stay with you long after the plane ride home.

Winter highlights

• Storm watching: St. Finian’s Bay and Valentia Island are jaw-dropping in winter. Waves crash against the cliffs, the Atlantic rolls in steel grey, and the whole coast feels alive
• Real Irish hospitality: With no big tourist crowds, pubs become local again. Traditional music sessions are spontaneous. Conversations are easy and unhurried
• Holiday magic: In December, small towns like Kenmare and Killarney sparkle with festive lights and cosy charm. Perfect for a winter honeymoon or anniversary trip
• Excellent value: Lower hotel rates and more personal attention. If you’re using a private driver, they’ll know exactly what’s still open and how to craft a memorable route

Best for

• Writers, creatives, and quiet souls
• Travellers who want authenticity, not spectacle
• Those who appreciate dramatic weather and fireside evenings

John’s tip

Some of the best boutique hotels offer exclusive packages in January and February. Ideal for a low-key luxury escape.

Final thoughts: What kind of experience do you want?

Here’s a quick recap.

• Spring is quiet, floral, and romantic
• Summer is lively, lush, and full of activity
• Autumn is golden, reflective, and low-key
• Winter is wild, peaceful, and intimate

Whatever your pace, preferences, or party size, there’s a season that will feel just right. And if you really want to lean into the experience, a private driver transforms the Ring of Kerry from a scenic drive into a true journey. You won’t worry about navigating narrow roads or where to stop next. You’ll relax, take in every view, and return home with stories to tell for years.

Whenever you’re ready, we’ll be here to help plan every detail.