From Athy to Ballinasloe, Ireland’s most romantic towns revealed

Anna Martin

We’re a nation of auld romantics here in Ireland

Now, you might be looking at your partner and rolling your eyes but depending on where they’re from you could have scored yourself a romantic gem.

HenParty.ie took it upon themselves to examine online search data over a 5-year period to find the most loved-up spots across the nation and what they uncovered may surprise you – as it did us!

Based on their findings, Athy, Co. Kildare has been crowned as Ireland’s most romantic town, scoring 578 out of a possible 800 on HenParty.ie’s loved-up scale.

They conducted their research by looking for searches for eight specific Valentine’s Day-related terms, including roses, flowers, perfume, red wine, white wine, prosecco, chocolates, and Notino (an online perfume retailer) and from there they made their discoveries.

So without any further ado, the results are in:

Athy, Co. Kildare

From Athy to Ballinasloe, Ireland's most romantic towns have been revealed — Athy Credit: Getty

Athy might not be the first place you think of during a search for love but apparently, this is where the most romantic people in the country like to hide away.

If you could get a gondola onto the canal there and you guys might as well be in Venice.

Newbridge, Co. Kildare

I should state that, I’m a Kildare woman, so I can say this but again Newbridge just doesn’t strike me as a place where romantics have been in hiding.

Maybe the search results are all from panic partners trying to pick something from Newbridge Silverware after forgetting a special occasion?

Ennis, Co. Clare

This one feels like it makes more sense, Ennis has that Americanised romcom small-town feel about it, for sure there has to be some hopeless romantics somewhere there right?

Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary

Now were, talking. This town is giving we have a bunch of big softies looking for love.

Of course, the people who live here are searching for wine and roses, they’re just keeping with the theme of their locality. (Queue everyone with a partner from her staring at me in disbelief.)

Ranafast, Co. Donegal

With its remote mountain views and mystical feel let’s be real most people are searching to see what they can get delivered in time for Valentine’s Day as it looks like there are not many shops to choose from.

Celbridge, Co. Kildare

Again, I’m from Kildare, I know the people from here but all I know about Celbridge itself is the train station. I’ve no smart comments to add.

Kildare Town, Co. Kildare

Refer to the above. Okay, Kildare Town does have a few more romantic influences, like the Japanese Gardens, maybe this is why people from here have been searching buzz words.

New Ross, Co. Wexford

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Now we’re back to the good stuff, there’s something about being near the water the soften’s peoples hearts, no wonder this one made the list.

Cavan Town, Co. Caven

When I personally think Cavan Town, the first word that springs to mind isn’t romantic but maybe I’ve just been looking at it all wrong? People with partners from Cavan Town can you confirm?

Ballinasloe, Co. Galway

romantic towns Ballinasloe — Credit: Discover Balinasloe

Now this one, I can get behind, of course big auld hopeless romantics have to live here, isn’t that why the west of the country is always in American romcoms?

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