Single for Valentine’s Day? Seven Alternative Valentine’s Day Events in Ireland

Being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to hide away from the rest of loved-up humanity. Here are some of alternative Valentine’s Day events you can enjoy on your own or with friends instead of moping around the house dreaming of Ryan Gosling…

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1. Temple Bar Cultural Trust – A Date with Dublin, February 14^th 2013

So you may not have a date for Valentine’s Day, but what does that matter? The Temple Bar Cultural Trust would like to set you up on a date with our fair capital. From 12 noon to 12 midnight on the 14^th of February, cultural events will be taking place promising to light up the “city with love.” Highlights of the programme will include a dinner and movie experience in Meeting House Square, the Project Arts Centre is asking people join in an interactive Anti-Valentines Day game called ‘Love Sucks’ and special choral music programmes dedicated to Saint Valentine are taking place at Whitefriar Street Church. Check out their website for more details.

2. Takes 2 Dating Valentines Day After Party, Boardwalk, Cork

Not only is it possible that you may find the love of your life, but the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Irish Heart Foundation. Costing just €25 a head, the event promises over 150 singles between 28 and 50 with some finger food and dancing.  Prizes will also be given out through the night. This is a light-hearted event for a good cause and might be just that little bit of craic you’re looking for on the night. Pop on over to the website for more details.

3. Rocky Horror Picture Show – Sugar Club Dublin, February 16^th

Proving to be a huge success in the past, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, sometimes known as Anti-Valentine’s Delight takes place in the Sugar Club on the Saturday following Valentine’s Day. The live show, presented by Bodo Productions, promises to take you away from “sickly sweet” Valentine’s Day and immerse you in a world of depravity and delight. There are even prizes for the best dressed!  For tickets and info, log on to The Sugar Club website here.

4. The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival –February 14^th to 24^th

Although the cinema seems like the perfect date venue, the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival could be the perfect alternative Valentine’s Day excursion. There is a huge selection of films on the weekend following the 14^th of February or alternatively you could hang out around the red carpet for opening night and make Cillian Murphy fall in love with you. Get a group together or pop along to a screening during the day and explore a film you may not have necessarily have ventured out to before. For full listing details, follow the link.

5. Ceili for Valentine’s Day – The Gathering, The Grand Social Dublin, February 14^th

Exhibit your Irish dancing skills, let your hair down or just generally clap along, one of the best alternative events for Valentine’s Day has to be the Ceili hosted by the Gathering in Grand Social Dublin on the night of the 14^th. Open to everyone and with an admission of just ten euros, there will be displays of Irish dancing and live music from the Traditional Arts Collective. For more info, head on over to the Gathering website.

6. Valentine’s Day Tour, The National Gallery Ireland, February 14^th.

An absolute must for art lovers, on the 14^th of February the National Art Gallery will conduct a free tour at about 6.30. The tour will consist of some of the most romantic works of art in the Gallery and is completely free. Entry to the gallery is free so why not take in the rest of the stunning work and be inspired by the beautiful gift shop.

For more info on the Gallery and tour, head to the National Gallery’s website.

7. Dingle Walking Festival, 15^th -17^th February

One of the most beautiful regions in Ireland, the Dingle Peninsula is located is Ireland’s most westerly point in West Kerry. Why not escape to the West Coast as part of the Dingle Walking Festival and take in the beautiful Gaeltacht region, often named as one of the world’s premier walking destinations. Pay Fungie a visit in his 27^th year or drop into the many great pubs and restaurants in the small town. Visit the website for ways to join the walking festival here.