With its stunning landscape, endless activities and welcoming towns and villages, County Cork is a great place for a short break at any time of the year. But head to Ireland’s largest county for Valentines Day and you’ll discover uniquely romantic side to the region - check out our 5 reasons for making Cork your destination this Valentine’s Day.
Stay in a country house hotel…
If you check into a country house hotel you really can’t go wrong. They hit all the right buttons with their ”olde worlde” charm and that real exclusive feel. Just think of it, romantic dinners with the ingredients taken directly from the estate or surrounding farms!
Holistic treatments are on offer in a selected number of country house hotels, so don’t forget to pre book some pampering sessions.
What else is there to do? Well you’re in the country so why not take advantage of some cosy romantic walks down country lanes. Then again you could go explore the Blackwater Way, Nagle Mountains and Boggeraghs.
A night at the theatre…
Macbecks.
Cork Opera House, Emmet Place, Cork.
Dates: 03.02.2025 to 14.02.2009.
A night at the theatre always goes down a treat, and music and comedy certainly hit the right notes in this production.
Macbecks is all about a celebrity footballer and his wife Poshoria. It deals with his marriage struggles, his manager, his beautiful game and their global brand.
Paul Reid stars as Macbecks with Kelly Gough as his Poshoria. Also making an appearance are the writers, Gary Cooke and Malachy McKenna, and some of the cast of “I Keano”.
Find out more about Macbecks at Cork Opera House.
Romantic walks around the city and parks…
What could be better than walking hand-in-hand through the heights and hollows of Cork city, with some magnificent architecture to be seen on the way.
Pass through medieval city streets, look out for the city walls, marvel at some splendid architecture, for example: St. Finbarre’s Cathedral, St. Mary’s Dominican, St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, The Lifetime Lab at the Old Cork Waterworks, Berwick Fountain and City Hall to name but a few.
There’s actually a variety of styles of architecture to be seen in the city from Byzantine, to Georgian and French Gothic and some fine limestone buildings.
If you’ve had your fills of walking through the city streets there are plenty of Cork parks to check out as well.
Fitzgerald Park covers 18 acres of land and although bereft of lovely flowering plants during the winter - it’s still a get away from it all spot! Cork Museum is also housed within the park and is well worth a visit.
Or how about Ballinlough Park with its sunken garden, or Farranvee Park with its ornamental gardens?
Where to eat…
Now if you haven’t plumbed for the all inclusive option mentioned previously, you’ll no doubt want to get the restaurant just right for that romantic valentine’s meal.
Choose from a multi-national selection of gourmet delights including European, Chinese, Indian, Italian, French, Mexican, fine dining and classical cuisine to set the mood for a wonderful night.
Something a little different - Ice skating…
Supernova
Westpoint Business Park,
Link Road, Ballincollig, Cork.
Have you always wanted to have a go at ice skating but never got round to it. Well now’s your chance! There’s a permanent ice skating rink in Ballincollig called Supernova.
So there you have it, our 5 best reasons to visit Cork for Valentine’s Day. And if you need somewhere to stay we have a really good selection of Cork hotels to choose from. Be sure to book early though!
