The 10 best love nests for Valentine’s week in Ireland
Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday, this is the perfect opportunity to say goodbye and enjoy a cheeky romantic midweek break with your significant other. If leaving the kids behind or taking time off work during the week isn’t feasible, we’ve got you covered in our guide to romantic getaways on February 14th, or the days around it.
1 Have a rare old time in Dublin
Stay: Book an overnight stay and enjoy an afternoon at Velvære Spa at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Dublin. You will receive a 1-hour facial treatment, a 30-minute head and arm massage, access to the thermal area and a glass of sparkling wine in the relaxation area. The Date Night in Dublin experience starts from €620 per couple including breakfast and can be booked direct with the hotel on 01 898 2900.
Do: The hotel is just around the corner from Whitefriar Street Church, where you can visit a shrine containing the remains of St Valentine. Then stroll down Love Lane in Temple Bar and admire the romantic artwork, film quotes and lyrics by playwrights and authors.
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The riverside Absolute Hotel in Limerick is another romantic option
2 Be popular in Limerick
Stay: The four-star Absolute Hotel’s couples package includes a glass of Prosecco on arrival, a four-course candlelit meal at Harry’s on the River and late check-out at 1pm. The Perfect Date is available from €186 per couple from 12th to 14th February including breakfast. absolutehotel.com
Do: The hotel is within walking distance from the city center. Take the Limerick Street Art Trail self-guided walk to see large-scale murals by artists like Maser. Enjoy music and coffee and crepes at the Limerick Milk Market (open Friday to Sunday) or try on period costumes at the 13th-century King John’s Castle.
3 Starry-eyed in Cork
Stay: The five-star Fota Island Resort offers bed and breakfast accommodation with a glass of Prosecco and a Drop of the Celtic Sea cleansing ritual for couples, a warm spiced mud bath and a WaveStone back massage. The No Ordinary Love pack is available from February 10th to 20th and starts at €409 per pair. fotaisland.ie
Do: Of course, a trip to see the animals at Fota Wildlife Park is high on the agenda. Fota is 10 minutes from Cork city center and the Cork City Gaol and Blackrock Castle Observatory are well worth a visit. Star cross enthusiasts will enjoy the live astronomy show in the 16th-century castle.
4 Live like royalty in Kerry
Stay: You’ll be greeted with a bottle of Prosecco and chocolate-covered strawberries upon arrival for your two-night stay at the four-star Killarney Avenue Hotel. On one evening there is a 4-course dinner, breakfast every morning and an extra long lie-in with late check-out until 1:00 p.m. on the day of departure. Made for Two is available from February 9th to 16th and starts at €390 per pair. killarneyavenue.com
Do: Killarney National Park is directly opposite the hotel and you can visit the beautiful Muckross House and have a coffee in its cafe. The city’s main street is just a short walk from the hotel.
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Ashford Castle in Cong, Co. Mayo offers the ultimate in luxury
5 feelings don’t become “Wayne” in Mayo.
Stay: Visit the five-star Ashford Castle Hotel in Cong, where a bottle of house champagne and a dozen red roses will be in your room upon arrival. The next morning, a 5-course candlelit meal awaits you in the George V Dining Room and breakfast. The “Valentine’s Pack” is available from February 10th to 19th from €760 per couple.
For those who don’t put a price on love, Ashford’s Lakeshore Romance Package costs a little more at €5,750. It includes two nights’ accommodation at Hideaway Cottage, Champagne, a private screening of a classic romantic film and an hour-long archery lesson. On one evening there is a wine tasting in the castle’s wine cellar, followed by a five-course meal. ashfordcastle.com
Do: Stroll to the 13th-century Cong Abbey, just a few miles from the castle. As John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara’s Oscar-winning 1952 film, The quiet manwas filmed in Cong, a visit to the Quiet Man Museum is a must for enthusiasts.
6 Get steam in Antrim
Stay: Upon arrival at the four-star Dunadry House and Gardens hotel, you’ll receive a bottle of Prosecco, a three-course meal in the Mill Race Restaurant and breakfast the next morning. You have access to the health and fitness club with heated indoor pool and thermal areas, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. Love is in the Air is available from February 10th to 14th and starts at €284 per pair.dunadry.com
Do: Cross the famous Carrick-a-Rede suspension bridge or explore the Giant’s Causeway – especially magical at sunset. If you’re up for a hiking challenge, The Gobbins Cliff Path should be for you. The hotel is also a 20-minute drive from Belfast.
7 It’s love in Kildare
Stay: The four-star Lawlor’s of Naas offers guests a glass of Prosecco on arrival and a complimentary room upgrade on February 14th. You also get a three-course meal at Vi’s Restaurant and breakfast the next morning. ‘Valentine’s Date Night’ starts at €289 per couple.
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Do: A trip to the Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge Silverware is particularly enjoyable. The museum, which is open to the public, contains outfits worn by stars such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Grace, Princess Diana and the Beatles. Take a romantic stroll through the fabulous Japanese gardens at the Irish National Stud and Gardens or outfit yourself at the Kildare Village designer outlet centre.
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Cozy Cabra Castle in Co Cavan has plenty of treats for couples
8 Grow lyrically in Cavan
Stay: Chocolate-dipped strawberries and macaroons are available in your room at Cabra Castle. A sparkling cocktail with chocolate cherries gives the four-course menu that certain something that evening. The “Valentine’s Package” is available on February 11th or 14th from €318 per couple including breakfast.
A two-night Romantic February package is also available throughout the month, giving you a bottle of wine and chocolate-dipped strawberries on arrival, afternoon tea and breakfast every morning from €428 per couple. cabracastle.com
Do: The castle is set in 40 acres of parkland and gardens and is adjacent to Dún a Rí Forest Park. You can also visit the Patrick Kavanagh Center 20 minutes away which celebrates the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest poets.
9 Cycle into the sunset in Waterford
Stay: Faithlegg Resort in Waterford offers couples a glass of sparkling wine on arrival at the 18th Century Manor House. Receive a four course meal in the Roseville Rooms Restaurant, Butlers Chocolates in your room and breakfast the next morning. The “Valentine’s Break” is available from February 10th to 19th from €240 per couple. Faithlegg.com
Do: Faithlegg has a golf course and is surrounded by woodland, and walkers and cyclists may want to tackle the Waterford Greenway Trail. The Passage East car ferry is five minutes from the hotel and takes you to the Hook Peninsula, home of the Hook Lighthouse.
10 A recipe for romance in Galway
Stay: Couples staying at the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel in Connemara each receive a spa treatment – an Elemis facial or deep-tissue back massage – and a five-course dinner each evening. Each evening at 6.30pm there is a complimentary glass of Prosecco by the fire with a brief informal chat about the history of Abbeyglen and the surrounding area. A two-night couples therapy stay with breakfast costs from €646 per couple and is available all year round. abbeyglen.ie
Do: Visit Kylemore Abbey & Gardens with its Gothic Church, Victorian Walled Gardens, Craft Shop, Pottery Studio, Restaurant and Tea Rooms. Those interested in farming can take a tour of Dan O’ Hara’s Homestead, a heritage center that offers demonstrations of traditional activities like peat cutting and open fire soda bread baking.
https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/staycations/10-best-valentines-week-love-nests-in-ireland-42316590.html The 10 best love nests for Valentine’s week in Ireland