Dursey Island & Cable Car
Take yourself off the mainland and deep into West Cork with a trip to Dursey Island via cable car! This little island, just off the Beara Peninsula boasts Ireland’s only working cable car and if a trip in a flying carriage doesn’t scream romance, then we don’t know what does. Take a picnic (there’s no shops or pubs on the island) and then take a stroll with your SO along rugged coastlines and through rolling hills.
The Wall, Dublin
This one’s not outdoors but it is adventurous and it lends itself nicely to building a bit of trust as well as some healthy competition! Get your climbing game on at Dublin’s best bouldering facility: The Wall in Sandyford. If you’re not familiar with bouldering, it’s similar to rock climbing but minus the harness. Instead, you’ll be scaling slightly shorter walls with a padded floor underfoot. All you need is a pair of shoes, your beau, and the spirit of adventure!
Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve
Get romantic under the stars at Ireland’s only Dark Sky Reserve in Kerry! The first of it’s kind here and the only one with a Gold Tier rating in the Northern Hemisphere, the Kerry Dark Sky Reserve is a unique experience that will inject a huge amount of romance into your Valentine’s Day! Head to one of the Core Zone areas, park up (or camp out!) and watch your world get lit up by millions of stars!
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Carrick-a-Rede is a tiny island off the northern coast of the island and is accessible by the most picturesque, Insta-worthy rope bridge that we’ve seen in a long time! Take a picnic and your loved one, and spend the afternoon soaking in the romance! Add a little extra adventure to the day with the Carrick-a-Rede Coastal Walk, which follows the path toward Ballintoy.
Seefingan
Head for a weekend away to the border of Counties Dublin & Wicklow and take in the sights & heights of the Seefin-Seefingan-Kippure loop. The loop is around 5 hours to complete, giving you plenty of quality time with your loved one! The views are magic and the peaks of Seefin & Seefingan have a passage tomb and cairn respectively - each dating back to around 5,000 years ago. Stay the night in Wicklow and take your time coming back to reality!
Mweelrea
If you and your love are experienced hikers, this might just be the climb for you! Mweelrea summit soars 814m and the full hike is 16km+ of rocky paths and steep inclines. If you prefer to leave a bit of time for post-hike activity, you can go for the shorter version which will see you hiking for around 3 hours. Plan ahead and take all the right equipment with you - compass, maps, warm clothing, phones, water, and some Valentine’s chocolate for sustenance - this one’s not for the faint of heart!
Dzogchen Beara Buddhist Meditation Centre
Add a bit of mindful calm to your Valentine’s celebrations and plan a weekend away for the two of you at the Dzogchen Beara Buddhist Mediation Centre. There’s accommodation available here, so make it a full romantic weekend away and sign up for one of their retreats, or take advantage of the drop-in meditation & mindfulness classes. With spectacular views of Bantry Bay and a cafe on-site, this a Valentine’s neither of you will forget in a hurry!
Eagle’s Rock
This is Ireland’s tallest free-standing rock tower! Show them how high your love goes with a 3km walk to the Eagle’s base and drink in the incredible views of the Glenade Valley & Dartry Mountains. Though you won’t be scaling the full heights, this walk can be a little challenging as it’s rocky in parts - old on to each other and get that Valentine’s love and support vibe going as you help each other along the path.
Clare Island
Show them your wild side with a trip to Clare Island - home to the ancestors of Ireland’s most famous ‘pirate queen’, Grace O’Malley. This rugged location is about 3.5 miles off County Mayo’s coastline and comes with great walks and fascinating history. You can stay the night at one of the Inns on the island for a longer exploration or, head over for the day and hire a bike to explore the scenery at a faster pace. If the two of you are feeling brave - bring your togs for a dip in the cool waters!
So, no excuses! Grab your love, get outside and get exploring!
Check out our interactive Make Life Richer Map for more inspiration for great days out in Ireland!
