Celebrate Valentine's with a difference — Quirky date ideas for couples, gal pals, and self-lovers
Looking for something a little different to do this Valentine's? Why not try a ring-making class or a crystal craft workshop? Picture: iStock.
Valentine’s Day will soon be upon us, and while many view the day of love as a commercialised holiday where people are expected to spend money on gifts, dining and romantic experiences, it can be so much more than that.
Yes, Valentine’s has evolved into a significant celebration of love and affection, heavily influenced by marketing strategies and driven by societal expectations and consumer behaviour, but it is also a time for couples to reconnect and celebrate their relationships, for friends and even family to celebrate and appreciate one another, and for individuals to look inward, reconnect with themselves and show some self-love and care.
While love is timeless and shouldn’t be confined to one single day, Valentine’s Day offers us the opportunity to focus on the meaning of love and create lasting memories.
If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate, whether it’s with your partner, your besties, or showing yourself some love, we’ve listed some date ideas with a difference.
Creating Collections is hosting a night of fine dining and magic at the Briar Rose in Douglas, Cork, on February 14.
An Evening of Enchantment is set to be a romantic night filled with magic, featuring a three-course meal and a drink on arrival, followed by a magic show performed by Zach Coveney.
Having performed extensively abroad in recent years, Coveney has developed a refined style that blends subtle illusion, psychological magic, and quiet humour.
The event will take place from 7pm to 10pm on Saturday, February 14.
Limerick Mental Health Association is hosting a Valentine’s Movie Night at the Milk Market on Friday, February 13.
Whether you’re coming with a partner, friends, or flying solo, a cosy night with a classic rom-com, popcorn, coffee, snacks and good vibes is guaranteed.
People are encouraged to wrap up warm, bring blankets, hoodies and their comfiest layers, to stay snug for the event.
The event will take place from 7pm to 10pm on February 13.
A boutique workshop showing people how to leave a permanent, sparkling mark on glass will take place at Treacy’s West County Hotel in Clare on February 20.
A ticket for the Crystal Kiss experience will include a professional kit featuring premium glass, high-end red crystals, and professional UV equipment and complimentary treats, including a selection of tea, coffee, and treats to enjoy while creating.
The event, which is about celebrating your uniqueness, is limited to 12 guests for a personalised experience and will take place from 6pm to 9pm on February 20.
Hosted by Ro Irish candles, the LGBT+ Valentine's Candle Making Workshop will be a meditative experience, making your own candle.
The event will take place from 7pm to 9pm on Thursday, February 12.
SparkNet Art Hub and Gallery will host a Valentine’s Day creative date – painting together with oils, relaxing, laughing, and taking home your own artwork. No experience is needed.
The event will take place from 3pm to 6pm on February 14.
A special handmade dumplings date night will take place at the Lucky Tortoise in Temple Bar on February 14.
Make dumplings, sip a little wine, and finish with a feast during the unique experience. A welcome drink, guidance from expert chefs, and an array of Korean dishes are included.
The event will take place from 11am to 1pm on February 14.
The Coco Club's primetime comedy show will return on February 14 for a Valentine’s special.
Hosted by the dynamic duo of Cornelius Patrick O'Sullivan and Daniel Lukas, the show promises an engaging and entertaining evening that transcends all boundaries.
The show will take place from 8.30pm to 10.30pm on February 14.
The Hive padel club on Monahan Road in Cork city is hosting a special disco padel night this Valentine’s.
The event includes non-alcoholic drinks, healthy nibbles, and lots of padel. Organisers have said the event is a social night and not a tournament, and encouraged people to move, laugh and dance between points.
The event will take place from 9pm to 11pm on February 14.
Professional watercolourist Tetiana Milshyna will host a fun, creative way to celebrate Valentine's Day with your significant other on February 14.
Tetiana will guide couples through creating their own Valentine's-themed watercolour painting in the beautiful surrounds of Fitzgerald's Park and Sample-Studios Gallery, The Lord Mayor's Pavilion.
All materials are provided and no prior experience is necessary.
The event will take place from 9.30am to 11am on February 14.
A romance-themed quiz night with questions about celeb couples, romantic movies and much more will take place at the Franciscan Well in Cork on February 14.
There will be Valentine’s décor throughout the bar, a kissing booth, love-themed playlist, and games with prizes to be won throughout the day.
Teams can be two to six people, making it perfect whether you’re coming as a couple, a group of friends, or mixing and matching on the night.
The quiz will take place from 6pm to 8pm on February 14.
10. Make Your Own Matching Silver Rings
The Little Gem Room at The Oliver Plunkett, Cork
A creative evening of silversmithing will take place at The Little Gem Room at The Oliver Plunkett, Cork, on February 15.
In the hands-on two-hour workshop, people learn traditional techniques to cut, shape, hammer, and forge their very own handmade, matching, hammered sterling silver rings.
Guided by an experienced instructor, participants will explore the craft of ring-making in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
The event will take place from 5pm on February 15.
A Paint, Prosecco and Romance event will take place at O’Mahony’s Booksellers in Limerick on February 12, led by instructor Sarah Mulcahy.
People will be guided through a relaxed painting session, perfect for absolute beginners or seasoned creatives.
All art materials, including canvas, paints and brushes, will be provided, and two glasses of chilled Prosecco will be included in each ticket.
The event will take place on February 12 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
A Galentines sip and paint event will take place at Lismore Heritage Centre on Friday, February 13.
Whether you’re celebrating friendship, self-love, or just looking for a fun night out, the event is all about sipping, painting, and having fun.
References will be provided, but people can go wild and create their own masterpiece. No painting experience is needed; just come ready to sip, laugh, and create with your friends.
The event will take place from 7pm to 9pm on Friday, February 13.
A retro disco celebrating the best of the 80s and 90s will take place at Langtons Hotel in Kilkenny on February 13.
People can expect neon love vibes, cheesy slow-dance classics, and all the retro bops for a night of big hair and bold beats.
All proceeds go to a local fundraiser to bring young people with additional needs to Lourdes.
The event takes place from 9pm to 12am on Friday, February 13.
A morning of movement, breath, beats and great coffee will take place at Dingle Coffee Roasters on February 14.
The first of a series, the Bíog X Bean event will include an hour of free-flowing Vinyasa yoga to the ebbs and flows of vinyl DJ Subterranean Soul, followed by coffee and a sweet treat.
The event will take place from 10am to 12pm on February 14.
Kilcullen Community Run Club will host a Galetine’s mat pilates event at The Old Hardware Shop, Narraghmore, on February 14.
The 45-minute beginner-friendly mat Pilates event will include full-body dynamic movements and mindfulness, followed by nozeco and treats after class.
The event will take place from 12pm to 1pm on February 14.
Bakedsweets.ie will host a Galantines cake decorating and reformer Pilates event at Sculpt Pilates, Reformer Pilates in Naas.
The event will feature an afternoon of cake decorating and a 40-minute reformer Pilates session, followed by refreshments at Sculpt Pilates. Refreshments and goodie bags will be included.
The event, which will take place from 1pm to 3pm on February 14, will include a dress code of Valentine-themed colours, such as pinks, reds and whites.
Sew a snuggly heart pillow for someone you love (or yourself) in this Valentine’s workshop on February 14.
The heart-shaped pillow is made using a stash of donated fabrics and those attending will be shown the basics of cutting, sewing, and stuffing their cushion.
All materials are provided, and everyone goes home with a handmade pillow.
The event takes place from 11am to 3pm on February 14.
A relaxed afternoon of Valentine's themed creativity will take place at The Black Sheep in Dublin on February 15.
Organised by Club Cut & Paste, the two-hour collage social is all about unwinding, connecting with others, and making art in a friendly, laid-back environment.
Come with friends or come solo, grab a pint, and settle into an afternoon of cutting and pasting.
The creative process will be led by designer, educator and facilitator Fiona Martin. A selection of collage materials, including magazines, vintage images, painted papers, colourful tape and stickers will be provided.
The event will take place from 2pm to 4pm on February 15.
Sophisticake will host a hands-on cake decorating workshop where you’ll learn simple decorating The workshop is open to everyone, including friends, couples, galentines groups and solo sweethearts.
While you sip your glass of Prosecco, you will learn step by step technique for piping, smoothing buttercream, adding details, and decorating for a Valentine’s Day theme.
The worship will take place from 7pm to 8.30pm on February 12.
Bingo N Beats Valentine's Special at The Bernard Shaw in Dublin on February 15 is set to be a fun-filled evening for the whole gang.
The event will take place from 5.30pm to 10.30pm on February 15 and there are lots of prizes to be won.
An evening of self-love with a guided meditation and sound bath by candlelight experience will take place at YOUTherapies in Ennis on February 13.
People are invited to give themselves a moment of deep rest and self-love through a guided meditation and heart-centred soundbath designed to help people slow down, unwind, and reconnect with themselves.
The event will take place from 7pm to 8.30pm on February 13.
Megan Vena will host an immersive experience combining a cacao ceremony and a combined breathwork and energy healing session on February 13.
The session is intentional and supportive, designed to support emotional release and clarity.
The event will take place from 7pm to 9pm on February 13.
People are invited to glow and nourish their nervous system with a two-hour cruise, lunch and a glass of bubbles on the Royal Canal on February 15.
Led by a life motivator, health, fitness, and nutrition coach, and a skin coach, participants will be guided on the day with tips and tricks about foods to bring into their everyday lives, so they can start glowing effortlessly and nourish their nervous system.
Both coaches will bring the energy and lift your spirits on this two-hour cruise on a luxury barge.
The event will take place from 11am to 1pm on February 15.
Aleesha Wiegandt will lead an evening of embodiment, self-reflection and ritual to reconnect with our whole selves on February 13.
The evening of embodiment and self-reflection will invite participants to acknowledge their blocks, shadows and capitalist guilt.
This event is open to anyone looking for an opportunity to reflect on their journey with self-love in a gentle and supported space.
The event will take place from 6.30pm to 9pm on February 13.
The Earthy Marketplace will host a sunrise hike up the Sugarloaf this Valentine’s morning, followed by a cosy vegan brunch gathering at The Happy Pear in Greystones.
This is the Valentine’s edition of the Big Vegan Hike, bringing people together, supporting vegan businesses, and giving back to the earth.
Organisers have encouraged people, whether they’re coming solo, with their love, bestie, dog, or simply with an open heart, to come as they are and bring the Grá.
The hike will be a moderate, 5km round trip, at a relaxed and social pace.
Meeting time is at 6.50am at the Sugarloaf car park and the hike will start at 7.10am. Sunrise at the summit will be from 7.45am to 8.15am.
Husky Rescue Ireland will host a Valentine’s Day husky hike at Ticknock Forest on February 14.
All breeds of dogs are welcome to attend, not just huskies, so people are encouraged to bring their furry friend along on the day.
Those who would like a furry date for the day can advise when booking, and Husky Rescue Ireland will bring a centre dog for you to walk.
The hike will take place from 11am to 3pm on February 14.
Ever wanted to have a 360-degree view of Cork city? St Anne Church and Shandon Bells and Tower are opening up for evening climbs on February 13 and 14.
The climb includes walking up 132 steps in total to reach the viewing balcony, and people will have the opportunity to ring the famous bells and see firsthand the mechanism of what is one of the largest caged clocks in Europe.
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