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Escape for a lovers’ weekend away with walks on the beach, fireside dining and pretty places to chill out and relax together
Looking for somewhere smoochy for your next romantic getaway? Dublin is actually home to the relics of St Valentine! However, you don’t need to make a pilgrimage to Whitefriar Street Church to get in the mood for love. Instead, stroll through the city’s pretty streets or along the banks of the Liffey, get out of town for secluded days by the seashore or spend a lazy Sunday morning in a cosy café. Eat, shop for that special gift or wander the art galleries – many of the best ones are free, so it’s okay if you spend more time looking at each other than at the paintings.
Be inspired by the timeless magic of Temple Bar’s cobbled streets. Dublin’s cultural quarter, as it’s also known, throngs with exciting dining spots, or you can catch a film or check out an exhibition in one of its indie arts spaces. On a weekend afternoon, browse the stalls of the Food Market on Meeting House Square, the Book Market on Temple Bar Square and the Designer Mart on Cow’s Lane.
Temple Bar Cultural Quarter
Dublin 2
Finding quiet corners of the city to sneak away to and forget the rest of the world is all part of the magic of a weekend away together. This airy café in the elegant Hugh Lane Gallery overlooks the courtyard. Stop off for a latte or a light lunch after you’ve wandered the collection. This wonderful art space is free to visit, with special exhibitions and great masterpieces of the French Impressionist period on permanent display, like Renoir’s evocative ‘Les Parapluies’ and Morisot’s ‘Jour d’Eté’.
The Hugh Lane
Charlemont House
Parnell Square North
Dublin 1
For movie-perfect, secluded romantic moments, Dublin’s beautiful coast is a must. North Bull Island, a 300-hectare nature reserve and bird sanctuary in Dublin Bay, is stunning in all seasons. Winter is one of the best times to visit, with thousands of wading birds to spot, then in spring and summer the flowers and butterflies renew the landscape. Drive out, or take a bus from the centre of Dublin to the Wooden Bridge (Bull Wall) then walk to the island along the beach.
North Bull Island
Dublin Bay
Immerse yourselves in the rich cultural heritage of the nation and spend an afternoon exploring the beautiful art of the National Gallery of Ireland. The life and work of Jack B Yeats, pioneer of modern Irish painting, is celebrated here, among many treasures from the greatest periods of British and European art. Join one of the free tours if you want to brush up your knowledge.
National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square West
Dublin 2
Promenade through St Stephen’s Green to this classic Dublin bar and sink into leather chairs to sip something good (the whiskey list is impressive) while you settle yourselves in front of the fire. They do a good gastropub-style Tavern Dinner Menu, too. Alternatively, retreat to the nearby Greenhouse for Michelin-starred fine dining.
Eastside Tavern
104-105 Leeson St Lower
Dublin 2