As Dublin has become a popular spot for those celebrating St. Valentine’s Day, we give you 7 good reasons why you and your loved one should hit the streets of Ireland’s capital. From dining out to dancing the night away, with a few quirky suggestions thrown in for good measure!
St. Valentine’s Day, love it or loathe it, it’s going to happen! Whether you’re a true Valentino or as romantic as a dead fish, to follow are a few ideas that will help you to make the most of Valentine’s Day in Dublin
Where to stay in Dublin…
To really impress him/her, it’s a good idea to get the accommodation right for starters.
Dublin has a variety of accommodation choices, from cheap and cheerful to rich and luxurious. Why not really push the boat out and choose one of Dublin’s 5-Star hotels. Any girl is sure to feel loved and wanted in the lap of luxury.
Most of these hotels have on premises leisure facilities or leisure facilities nearby. This will be a definite hit with today’s health and fitness conscious lady.
To help find your ideal “love nest”, check out our Dublin hotels page.
Where to go for a bite to eat…
Accommodation sorted, you may not wish to stay in your hotel for all your meals, so why not head out into town where you’ll come across a fantastic selection of restaurants.
There’s so much to choose from - Haute Cuisine to Thai, Moroccan, Italian, Chinese, Vegetarian, Sushi and traditional Irish dishes.
If you’re not a native Dubliner, ask the concierge (or at reception) to recommend a restaurant. It’s worth remembering though that St. Valentine’s night is an extremely busy night for any restaurant, especially the good ones, so pre-booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
The Theatre…
This is a wonderful night out if you’re a fan of the theatre. There are many theatres to choose from in Dublin. Perhaps before your visit, do a bit of research to see what’s on during St. Valentine’s weekend. She’ll definitely be eating out of your hand, if you produce theatre tickets for that show she’s dying to see.
At the time of writing, the following shows are listed for St. Valentine’s weekend:
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Gaiety Theatre.
The Real Thing (a play by Tom Stoppard) at the Gate Theatre.
RTÉ Concert Orchestra at the National Concert Hall.
The Frank Sinatra Story at the Olympia Theatre.
A Night with Nanci Griffiths at the Mahony Hall, The Helix.
Dance the night away…
What better way to round off St. Valentine’s Day than to dance the night away at one of Dublin’s hot and happening clubs. If nothing else is gained by the end of the night, at least you’ll have burned off all those calories from that romantic meal you had earlier.
After all it’s said that “dance is the language of love”, and you have a great variety of clubs to choose from offering everything from salsa to R & B, jazz, soul, funk, pop, seventies disco and alternative.
Maybe none of these music styles is appealing to you, then why not opt for traditional Irish song and dance instead.
Art Galleries…
Not everyone’s cup of tea, I know, but there’s something very romantic about visiting an Art Gallery. Wandering around hand-in-hand, viewing fabulous paintings and sculptures by artists such as Renoir, Degas and Monet. It’s quality time spent together in relative peace and quiet, being comfortable with not having to say anything whilst you appreciate the artists work.
Notable art galleries in Dublin include the IMMA, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane and Temple Bar Gallery and Studios.
Romantic Walks…
What could be nicer than a romantic stroll in the park? Guaranteed not to break the bank, this will get you both out in the fresh air and away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
There are several parks in and around the city centre, each with their own unique features. For example in the Garden of Remembrance you can enjoy Oisín Kelly’s beautiful sculpture of the Children of Lir. In the Iveagh Gardens there are fountain centre pieces, rockeries, a maze and a secret garden. At St. Stephen’s Green, you can stand in from that very predictable downpour (now commonly referred to as just a shower!) in the Victorian Lakeside shelter or at the Victorian Swiss shelter. Also featured here is a waterfall as well as Pulham rock and a lake (which attracts a variety of birds)
Shopping…
Well if you really want to prove your undying love, a few hours of retail therapy won’t go amiss! Let’s face it, after all you’ve done this weekend, an afternoon traipsing around the shops just being a glorified bag carrier and yes man (agreeing that all those outfits she tries on are absolutely gorgeous!) definitely says that you intend to last the pace! Dublin has more than its fair share of shops and it’s a lovely compromise that you have sacrificed a half day to indulge her passion.
Shops well worth a look at are Arnott’s, Clery’s Department Store, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre and not forgetting Dublin’s street markets.
No doubt you’ll be passing quite a few jewellery shops and if you haven’t plucked up the courage as yet to ask that all important question, then maybe a simple but stylish piece of jewellery will prove that “she’s the one”
Well that’s it, a few ideas there on why our capital city should be the focus of your St. Valentine’s Day celebrations. For some where to stay, check out our Dublin hotels.
Don’t forget the roses!
If you want some more romantic ideas then check out our article; Valentines Day In Ireland - Top Tips for a Romance Filled Break
