Irish Valentine’s Day Traditions

Valentine’s Day is marked here in Ireland in much the same way as it is by our friends around the globe. Romantic couples give each other cards, gifts, flowers, or chocolates, and many share a meal or an activity together. Although there are no uniquely Irish Valentine’s Day practices, we do have several lovely traditions you may want to try to give the day a romantic Irish touch.

1) Say I love you the Irish way

Ireland is known as the land of saints and scholars, so it's unsurprising that Irish people have a way with “fine words.” With at least seven different ways to tell a loved one how you feel, we think Irish, or Gaelic is really the best language for romance.

Whether you are telling someone they are your soul mate, your “Anam Cara”, or the bright love of your heart “Grá Geal Mo Chroí,” Irish has you covered!

Whether in Irish or English, writing a funny or sweet note to your love is a tradition that goes back a long way in Ireland, as this entry from the national folklore collection attests. And the story goes that the global tradition of love notes can be traced all the way back to St. Valentine himself.

2) Seek the Blessing of St. Valentine himself

Speaking of the patron saint of love, many people travel from all over Ireland and indeed the world to visit a shrine to St. Valentine in the imposing Whitefriar St. church in the center of Dublin.

Here they find a golden box that houses the heart of the saint! Many pray to St. Valentine for love and happiness, while romantic couples seek blessings for their union, and often for their engagement or wedding rings too.

3) Exchange an Irish tradition of love, loyalty, and friendship

And if a trip to the shrine of St. Valentine in Dublin to bless your rings is not on the cards this February 14th, perhaps uniquely Irish ring is a suitable alternative? The Claddagh is a 400 year old design unique to Ireland with romantic sentiment perfect for Valentine's Day.

With heart, crown and hands, promising love, loyalty and friendship, this design has been a gift between lovers in Ireland for centuries. And while the first Claddagh ring was given by a man by his wife to be, the Claddagh is now one of our most popular designs for friendship, promise, wedding or engagement rings for both men and women

4) Visit a romantic spot

Whitefriar street church has not cornered the market for romantic spots to visit in Ireland. The Ireland is dotted with windswept and wonderful places that are popular for loved-up couples to visit year round, but especially on Valentine's Day. The famous Dolmen in Co. Clare, known as the bed of the lovers, is named for Dhiarmada and Gráinne, a tragic couple from Celtic Mythology and a not-to-be-missed site on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Howth in Dublin sees literary couples pay pilgrimage to a spot made famous by James Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses. The soliloquy from Molly Bloom recounts Leopold’s marriage proposal at Howth and her passionate response: “...and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.” Just a short train ride from Dublin city center, you can be sure there have been many passionate proposals staged in Howth since.

For couples who share a love of the outdoors as well as each other, Lough Ouler is a popular spot to visit. Romantics are rewarded for their 2 to 3 hr hike up Tonelagee Mountain with a view of this stunning, heart shaped lough in Co. Wicklow. This beautiful view would soften the hardest heart and is an ideal spot for a Valentine’s Day hike!

Feeling Inspired?

We hope these traditions leave you feeling a inspired and perhaps of a mind to plan your own romantic date with an Irish feel. If you do, please share your story below or get in touch. We get such joy to hear from our friends around the globe and we love to share their fabulous stories with our growing community worldwide.