COUNTY KERRY - WHEN TO GO

Beautiful in all seasons, the best time to visit Kerry depends of your preference for sun vs. solitude. A summer visit to Kerry promises the best chance of sun - and the best chance of crowds - while winter winds blow away all but the most hardy tourists.

Unpredictable spring and fall range from dripping wet to warm and clear. If you plan your trip for May, June or July, you get the best chance of clear skies and sunshine.

Summer days are long in Ireland. In mid-summer, expect 17 to 18 hours of daylight with the sun rising at 5 a.m. and lingering until close to 11 p.m. The long summer days make midsummer one of the best times of year to travel. Get an early start without driving in the dark, and continue exploring after dinner.

If you don't mind trading crowds for clouds, travel between February and April or from August through October. You won't have the roads to yourself, but you will find fewer people visiting. Traveling in spring and fall doesn't guarantee clouds and rain, and you might get great weather. In Ireland the weather is highly changeable. You could find yourself basking under sunny skies in October and huddling under umbrellas in July.

Winter is wet, but not without charm. Expect cold winds off the Atlantic Ocean, mist, fog, and plenty of rain. While winters are damp, the temperatures hover around 40 degrees Fahrenheit and snow is rare.