Whether you plan to spend Valentine's Day with your other half, your best friends or you simply want to treat yourself to something special (as Lizzo says, "it's a me, myself kinda attitude"), we have a heap of activities happening across Ireland this weekend.
Valentine's Screenings at The Sugar Club, Dublin
From Friday 11th to Monday 14th, Dublin's Sugar Club will be hosting a number of cult-classics for couples, friends and solo viewers. From classic romance hit Dirty Dancing to cult-classic True Romance, there's something for everyone this weekend. Doors 7:30pm / Movie Starts 8:30pm. Tickets are €12.50 + booking fee.
- Dirty Dancing – Friday, February 11
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Saturday, February 12
- Monsieur Pompier’s Valentine’s Cabaret – Sunday, February 13
- True Romance – Monday, February 14
Drive in movie at The K Club, Kildare
The K Club are hosting an old school drive-in movie experience complete with delicious snacks and drinks. Located in the carpark at K Lodge, the theatre will feature a double-sided screen which means no matter where you're parked, you’ll have a great view. Tickets are priced at €55 per car with a maximum two adults plus popcorn, snacks and a drink per person.
- Sleepless in Seattle – Friday, 11th February
- Four Weddings & a Funeral – Saturday, 12th February
- True Lies – Sunday, 13th February
- When Harry Met Sally – Monday, 14th February
Mockie Ah's Valentine's Cabaret, Cork
Cork drag family The Haus of Mockie Ah! (who recently featured in RTÉ documentary Kin of Kweens) are putting on a very special Valentine's Day cabaret featuring performances from twelve of Ireland's leading drag and burlesque acts plus a myriad of live games including Blind Date.
Doors at 7pm on Sunday, February 13th at Cyprus Avenue. Tickets are €22.18.
Valentease Burlesque Show, Athlone
International burlesque performer and Miss Burlesque Ireland Finalist 2016, Miss Memphis Shell, is bringing her talents to The Dark Horse in Athlone for a special Valentease performance on Saturday, February 12. Show runs from 8pm - 11:30pm and tickets cost €22.20.
Galentine's Day Brunch for Women's Aid, Dublin
Grab a bunch of your gal pals (mothers daughters, sisters, aunts, grannys and coworkers all count) and book a table for a beautiful brunch at Skinny Batch Cafe in Lusk in aid of Women's Aid. The Instagrammable menu included red velvet pancakes, a Shirley Galentine Mocktail and a Two Spots coffee of your choice. Taking place on Galentine's Day (Sunday, 13th), table sittings are 1 hour 20 minutes each to ensure that as much money as possible can be raised on the day. Tickets are €15.
Singles Cabaret, Limerick
If you're looking for a laugh this weekend, look no further than the Singles Cabaret at The Commercial Bar. The jam-packed show includes a burlesque strip tease from the fiery Miss Lavelle and Virgo Moon followed by stand up comedy from the brilliant Breda Larkin and Danny Ryan as well as comedic songs and sketches from the hilarious The Wild Geeze and even some fun single mingle games. The show runs from 8pm - 11:30pm and tickets cost €16.87.
Valentine's Hike and Sauna, Wicklow
If you and your valentine want to stay active this weekend, why not sign up to a day of hiking followed by a relaxing sauna? Crú Adventures are organising a sunrise Hike across the Bray Cliff Walk to Greystones ending with hot drinks and sweet treats. Next up is a trip to the Fad Saoil Sauna followed by a healthy lunch from the Happy Pear. Organisers note that this couple's day is LGBTQ+ friendly. Running from 7am - 1pm, tickets cost €120.
The Secret History of Gay Dublin Walking Tour, Dublin
Make your Valentine's Day an educational one with a romantic stroll through the city, learning about the history of Gay Dublin. From heroes like Oscar Wilde to dashing gay villains and political figures, this tour will give you new insights to the city. Written by Sean Egan on behalf of Alternative Dublin, the 90-minute tour starts at the Oscar Wilde statute at Merrion Square and ends at Dublin Castle. Taking place on Sunday, 13th February from 1pm - 3pm, tickets cost €9.50.
Woo at the Zoo, Dublin
On Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th of February, there will be a special Valentine's package on offer for couples seeking something a little different to mark the romantic occasion. Dublin Zoo will open its doors at 8:30am to a very limited number of couples who will be led to the dense, bamboo-filled Kaziranga Forest Trail. Here, couples will be invited to take a seat in the amphitheatre as one of the elephant zookeepers introduces them to the majestic Asian elephant herd. Visitors will then enjoy a romantic breakfast buffet in the Meerkat restaurant before they get to explore the rest of the zoo.
Valentines Love Birds Chocolate Experience, Clare
If you're looking for a day time activity with your other half, check out the chocolate experience at Hazel Mountain. Located on a 300 year old family farm in the Burren Mountains of Ireland, the bean to bar chocolate factory was founded in 2014 by John and Kasha Connolly. On Saturday, 12 February from 11am – 12pm, you can go behind the scenes for an exclusive tour and tasting. The experience is for those aged 18 and over and tickets cost €27.35.
Comedy gig, various
If you want to take the pressure off this Valentine's weekend, why not head to a comedy gig? Have a laugh with your other half at any of the many stand-up shows taking place around the country throughout the weekend. If you want something extra special, check out some of bigger clubs like The Laughter Lounge in Dublin or City Limits in Cork for Valentine's shows.
Tinder Night on Valentine's Day, Galway
This is a high energy speed dating night for you and college students enjoying Rag Week. Bangin Noodles Restaurant in Galway City are hosting a 'Tinder Night' whereby 20 guys and 20 girls will speed through a night of five minute dates. There will be plenty of fun and games thrown into the mix to break the ice. Taking place on Monday, February 14th, the event runs from 19:30 – 22:30 with tickets costing €11.53 (free drink on arrival).
Afternoon tea at Lough Eske Castle, Donegal
Whether you're celebrating Valentine's, Galentine's Day or you simply want to treat yourself to a decadent afternoon in beautiful surroundings, an afternoon tea is always the way to go. There are plenty of options across Ireland's luxury hotels but the surroundings of Lough Eske Castle in Donegal are something special. You will feel transported back to an era when this elegant ritual was de rigueur. Traditional Afternoon Tea is served every day from 12 noon until 4 pm and costs €26 per person. Reservations are recommended.
The Light House Cinema, Dublin
Dublin's Lighthouse Cinema is celebrating Valentine's and Galentine's weekend with a batch of films to "make your heart ache, break and shake". Richard Linklater's Before trilogy - Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013) - back to back on Saturday, February 12.
Other screenings available include Casablanca, Crimson Peak, Bound, Romy Michelle's High School Reunion, and Moonlight. Adult tickets are €13.50.
