“The course of true love never did run smooth”, which is why – we are told – we need an annual reminder to rekindle and celebrate love, and everything that comes with it … chocolate, sexy lingerie, romantic getaways, expensive gifts… Well, all cynicism and circumspection aside, here are some things to do on Valentine’s Day that will appeal all of thee who want to go beyond the traditional bunch of flowers and restaurant dinner. This is after all the final resting place of the patron saint of love, so do it right!
The Food of Love
For your romantic dinner at home, make sure you have these aphrodisiac foods on the menu: avocado, almonds, asparagus, pomegranate, pineapple, oysters, strawberries and passion fruit. But if you’re going out, these are some favourite gastroplaces that do Valentine’s in style:
- Book your place for a seaside Romantic Feast at Shells Cafe, Strandhill
- Cook with the one you love and share a romantic dinner at the Donnybrook Fair Cookery School
- Vintage Cocktail Club always does Valentine in great style
- A Valentine tasting dinner for people who love each other … and food at Medley’s
Love Is In The Air
Everywhere! But here is a list of places that score high on sophisticated soppiness:
- take a stroll on Love Lane
- go for a tandem bike ride in Dun Laoghaire
- make a love token at the Museum of Ireland: Archaeology
- shed a tear and share a smile watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Pavilion Theatre
- enjoy the ethereal madness of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Abbey Theatre
- read some real tear-jerkers at the Airfield love letters exhibition
Romantic Getaways
Eloping with your loved one? Here are some proper romantic romantic boltholes:
- Go for romantic walks and fine dining with Sheen Falls Lodge’s Valentine spa package
- Explore romantic Yeats country and experience a weekend countryhouse romance in Co. Sligo
- Visit Michael Collins and Kitty Kiernan’s love letters at Cork Public Museum and sleep in a romantic cottage by the sea
- See the “With Love…x” love letters exhibition at Airfield
Hope you have a great Valentine’s Day and, have a lazy breakfast in bed the next morning.
P.S. Have you had enough of Valentine already? Escape the chocolate-flavoured soppiness at this depraved Sugar Club event: The Rocky Horror Picture Show Anti-Valentine’s Delight …
