Dublin’s fair city is abuzz with some great things to do on Valentine’s Day – after all it is the final resting place of the relics of the patron saint in love.
Pay homage at Whitefriar Street Church, take in the city’s streets, then enjoy a candlelit concert before wining and dining your love at one of the city’s many great eateries. We’ve got a melange of suggestions here, but ultimately of course, the choice is yours!
For Romance – Dublin’s Dreamiest Valentine Date
February 14th sees Candlelight Dreams takes over the Docklands with a seriously swoony after-dark experience.
Expect a full-blown romantic fever dream, featuring glowing immersive rooms, the mesmerising Van Gogh After Dark 360° projections and a candlelit piano finale by renowned musician Noah Flach.
All the action takes place inside Ireland’s largest ball pit, re-imagined with 100,000 pearl-hued balls and flickering candles.
Tickets are €25 and limited, so lovebirds, galentines and besties are advised to keep her lit – and move fast.
For Dinner – The Winding Stair
Dublin’s lovers are spoiled for choice with so many different restaurants offering a terrific variety of options to mark the big day. For sheer romance though, a seat overlooking the Hapenny Bridge at The Winding Stair is always a great way to help make someone feel pretty special.
This Saturday sees them offering a gorgeous Valentine’s Menu that definitely won’t break the bank. Starters include Dublin Hill’s Goats Cheese Crostini, with warm beets, pomegranate glaze and carmelised walnuts, while we fancy the Slow Cooked Wicklow Lamb and Green Pea Pot Pie, with tenderstem broccoli for mains.
If there’s room afterwards, we’d be treating ourselves to their Apple and Raspberry Crumble, Scup mascarpone ice cream, with a vegan version also available.
A quick post-prandial, settle the bill and see where the evening takes you. Two-courses cost €45 / €55 for 3 courses per person. Get in!
For Laughs – O’Kaning It (With Love)
Everybody’s favourite comedic fireball Deirdre O’Kane is well known for her knack of mercilessly mining hilarity from the human condition, so what better way to spend Valentine’s night than in her company?
Arguably the most famous person to come out of Drogheda since man of the century T. K Whitaker, she promises a night of relentless laughs fueled by her own wonderfully warped personal insights.
Deirdre O’Kane – O’Kaning It live in Fitzpatrick Castle, Killiney, Saturday Feb 14th.
Showtime: 8pm (doors open at 7pm) Tickets: €25 + booking fee
For Literature – Give The Gift of Poetry
Give your love the gift of poetry this Valentine’s Day, and what better tome for reflecting on the subject than Poetry Ireland Review 147, a special love-themed issue edited by Theo Dorgan.
Entitled Love Poems to Humans, this a collection of poems that that draws on, honours, and speaks up for human love in its many manifestations and variations. This extended, love-themed issue features new poems from Dermot Bolger, Annemarie Ní Churreáin, Susan Musgrave, Sam Furlong, Billy Collins, and many others.
Irish-language editor Aifric Mac Aodha’s selection includes poetry from Simon Ó Faoláin, Cúán de Búrca, and Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh. Available to purchase on poetryireland.ie
For Small Gestures – Love at First Crunch
Sweets for your sweet? Give them your heart this Valentine’s Day with the Petit Crispy Hearts box from Lily O’Brien’s. Wrapped in beautiful cream and pink wrapping paper, the Petit Crispy Hearts box contains delicious chocolate hearts filled with pieces of honeycomb, perfect for the day that’s in it.
Those with more savoury tastes might be interested to know that Tayto Hearts are once again spreading the love this Valentine’s Day with a bag of fiery little hearts offering big flavour.
Perfect for partners, pals, crushes or a well-deserved solo treat, this year promises a bit of extra sparkle with a special promotion that sees one lucky snacker in with a chance to win a €5,000 diamond ring.
Available for a limited time in shops nationwide, this is clearly the ultimate small gesture – love, crunch, repeat.
Because romance, obviously.
