Forget guidance weekends and marriage counselling. Instead, take the true test of compatibility as a couple: a six-hour trek across a rain-tortured Irish mountain, tumbling into several bog holes, getting lost twice and finally arriving back hungry and soaked to where we definitely parked – didn’t we? – only to discover that this is the wrong valley and the car is 5km away.
If such couples are on the remotest of nodding terms the following week, it must be odds-on that they will leave the same dwelling to visit their grandchildren in the future. Now that they’ve passed the test of enduring compatibility, some reward is in order – such as a romantic Valentine’s break.
If you would like to take your loved one for a soirée in an atmospheric hotel offering a Valentine’s special, with a romantic walk available from the hotel entrance, have a look at our suggestions.
Cashel Palace Hotel and the High Kings Loop, Co Tipperary
In the 18th century, when Archbishop Bolton left his draughty castle atop the Rock of Cashel to construct a magnificent episcopal palace in the town centre, he had no idea the service he was doing for Tipperary tourism. After many iterations, his residence is now the five-star Cashel Palace Hotel. Spending Valentine’s there won’t be cheap, but it is guaranteed to be memorable. With the famous rock accessible from the back gate and renowned retailers such as Daverns of Cashel, Kilkenny Design and Rossa Pottery at the front entrance, you’re spoiled for choice.
For an outdoor experience, the High Kings Loop is an easy 8km walk (denoted by red arrows) with the trailhead beside the Rock. Passing by the ruins of 13th-century Hore Abbey, it follows a route known as the Bóithrín Bocht before entering a serene forest. Return to Cashel by an off-road path while enjoying magnificent views of the towering rock. Finish your lovely day by dining on locally sourced cuisine in the elegant surroundings of the Michelin-starred Bishop’s Buttery Restaurant.
Book at: cashelpalacehotel.ie
Lake Hotel and Muckross Loop, Co Kerry
Offering old-world elegance beside Killarney National Park, it isn’t perhaps surprising that the Lake Hotel was voted Munster’s most romantic escape in 2023. Family owned and enjoying a scenic lakeside location, the hotel has long been recognised as a couple’s haven.
For a sublime 14km ramble, follow the Kerry Way to the right from the hotel entrance. Keep Lough Leane to your right and after about 2.5km you’ll see waymarkers for the Muckross Loop. This meanders out along the Muckross Peninsula, passing such celebrated beauty spots as Brickeen Bridge and Dinis Cottage. Eventually, you cross and recross the Kenmare Road before returning to the Lake Hotel by way of the charming Muckross House, which has a large coffee shop. Back at base, relax in the outdoor hot tub and infinity pool, before repairing to the Castlelough Restaurant. This is an exquisite setting for a romantic meal, where you can gaze across the darkening waters of Lough Leane. Book at: lakehotelkillarney.ie
Harvey’s Point hotel and Ardnamona Woods, Co Donegal
The romance began in the 1980s when Swiss man Jody Gysling visited Donegal and established a guest house. He fell doubly in love: with the landscape and with local woman Deirdre McGlone. Working as a couple, they then established Harvey’s Point, one of Ireland’s finest hotels. On the shores of Lough Eske, with the Bluestack Mountains as a backdrop, it makes an ideal escape.
From the hotel entrance, you can follow the Bluestack Way to the right. In less than 2km, go right for Ardnamona Wood nature reserve, which is one of Ireland’s few surviving oak forests. Follow the sylvan path, stopping to enjoy a couple’s moment at the viewing point over Lough Eske. Then retrace your steps to Harvey’s Point. For a more challenging outing, you can complete the full 14km circuit of Lough Eske, beginning and ending at the hotel.
End your day enjoying an intimate Valentine’s dinner overlooking the lake and then let time drift idly by, sitting together before one of the log fires. For details of Valentine’s escapes to Donegal, visit: harveyspoint.com.
The Lodge at Ashford Castle and Cong Woods, Co Mayo
Voted Romantic Hotel of the Year at the Irish Hospitality Awards 2022, the Lodge certainly enjoys a dreamy setting with views over magical Lough Corrib. It was in the surrounding countryside that The Quiet Man, one of the most popular romantic movies of all time, was filmed. You can capture some of the ardour by visiting the film’s locations including Pat Cohan’s Bar, Abbey Bridge, Squire Danaher’s house and the famous statue of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in Cong village.
For a longer, 5km outing, follow the red walking arrows on the Pigeon Loop with the option of a cave descent and a viewing tower ascent. Celebrate later with complimentary champagne and fine dining in Wilde’s Restaurant. The Lodge reopens for the coming year on February 14th. Book at: thelodgeac.com.
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel and the Estate Walk, Connemara
An 18th-century mansion built by the Anglo-Norman Martin family, Ballynahinch Castle is set in a 700-acre wooded estate that is an island of serenity amid an otherwise austere landscape. The hotel makes a great romantic escape in a secluded part of Connemara, with champagne and chocolates to get you in the mood on arrival.
Spectacular views of the Twelve Bens are offered from 16km of lakeside, river and forest trails within the Ballynahinch Estate. Of course, you can also go further afield, to walk the Bens or bike through the Connemara landscape.
End your day in romantic style, relaxing in outdoor saunas amid serene woodlands before sitting down to a candlelit dinner in the fine-dining Owenmore Restaurant. Ballynahinch Castle is offering romantic breaks for Valentine’s in a riverside bedroom, with breakfast in bed on both mornings and dinner on one evening. Book at ballynahinch-castle.com
Crowne Plaza hotel and Lagan Towpath, Belfast
Nestling at the heart of the Lagan Valley Regional Park in sylvan South Belfast, the Crowne Plaza hotel makes a lovely place for a romantic city break.
For your outdoor experience, the winding woodland pathway of the Lagan Towpath, linking Lisburn with Stranmillis, are at your doorstep. You can join it at Shaw’s Bridge, which lies about 200m from the Crowne Plaza. Then amble the 14km of the waterside towpath to Union Locks, Lisburn, where coffee and retail therapy are available at the nearby Sprucefield Centre. You probably won’t feel like retracing your steps, so call a taxi for your return journey.
Finish your day with a complimentary glass of prosecco and a three-course dinner in the Green Room Restaurant. Book at cpbelfast.com
Rose Hotel, Tralee, and Cockleshell Beach, Co Kerry
The song The Rose of Tralee may be an elegy to doomed passion, but the annual festival of the same name brings huge spending to the town and has spawned a multitude of real-life romances. And you can see why. Tralee is an attractive place at any time, and the four-star Rose Hotel certainly has the perfect moniker for a romantic escape.
This year, the hotel offers two-night Valentine’s packages ideal for exploring the outdoors. Starting from the hotel, you can lead your Valentine on a picturesque 7km-there-and-back river and canalside walk to romantic Cockleshell Beach. This serene location offers marvellous views over Tralee Bay to the lordly Slieve Mish Mountains.
For a more challenging outing, get a taxi to drop you out to the village of Camp on the Dingle Peninsula and walk about 20km back to Tralee, following the signage for the Dingle Way. Your reward is a five-course dinner in the Park Restaurant. Valentine’s weekend packages can be viewed by visiting therosehotel.com.
Mulranny Park Hotel and the Great Western Greenway, Co Mayo
Built as a luxurious 19th-century railway hotel, Mulranny Park offers memorable views over multi-islanded Clew Bay to Croagh Patrick and makes a perfect base for exploring the Mayo landscape. A multi-award winner for its food and accommodation, it has the world-famous Great Western Greenway at its back door.
For a romantic beach walk, descend steps opposite the hotel, cross a short causeway and you are on blue-flag Mulranny Beach. You can then go right to a public road, where arrows point easily upwards for Log na Currane hill. Laid out below the summit is majestic Bellacragher Bay, stretching north to the lonesome outline of the Nephin Mountains.
For a longer excursion, hire bikes at the hotel and cycle a hugely scenic 14km of the traffic-free Western Greenway to Achill Sound. Enjoy a tasty bite at Óstán Oileán Acla before returning to Mulranny for dinner in the award-winning Nephin Restaurant. Book your Valentine’s escape at mulrannyparkhotel.ie.
The Causeway Hotel and Causeway Coast Walk, Co Antrim
Offering views to Rathlin Island and Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre, the chalk-white cliffs of Antrim’s Causeway Coast are among the world’s most romantic. Perched right on the clifftop, the Causeway Hotel is a memorable place for a Valentine’s break.
To interact with the outdoors, you can follow the clifftop path from the nearby visitor centre. After about 1.5km, descend the Shepherd’s Steps to the base of the cliff. Then return to your hotel by the Giant’s Causeway, having walked about 3km.
To fully interrogate the remarkable North Antrim coastline, take a taxi to Dunseverick village and then complete the dreamy 7km walk along the clifftop to your hotel, taking in such renowned viewpoints as Benbane Head and Hamilton’s Seat. Finish your day in the 1836 Ballroom Restaurant, which offers extensive views over the ocean to the Inishowen Peninsula. Book at: thecausewayhotel.com
