Dia dhuit, a chara!

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, ‘tis the season for love, poetry, and maybe even a cheeky bit of matchmaking (sure, wasn’t that our own Lisdoonvarna’s speciality?).

Whether you’re madly in love, enjoying a bit of Irish flirtation, or just here for the craic, this week’s email is packed with all things romantic and Irish!

💚 An Irish Love Quote to Make Your Heart Flutter:

"Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it." – Pope John Paul II

Sure, if love could survive centuries of hardship in Ireland, it can certainly survive a bad date or two!

😍 10 Irish Sayings About Love That Are Perfect for Valentine’s Day

Ireland has a long tradition of poetic words, heartfelt blessings, and a bit of cheeky humour when it comes to love.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect romantic line for …

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🙌 Valentine’s Day in Dublin, 1983: A Nostalgic Look at Love in Ireland

Valentine’s Day has always been a time for romance, but how did Dubliners celebrate it over 40 years ago?

Thanks to a fascinating archive video from 1983, we can take …

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😆 An Irish Valentine’s Joke to Make You Smile:

The Irish Valentine’s Fisherman 🎣❤️

A wealthy American was walking along an Irish beach when he spotted an Irish fisherman, lying lazily beside his boat, smoking his pipe.

"Why aren't you out fishing?" asked the American.

"Because I've caught enough fish for the day," said the fisherman.

"But why don’t you catch more?"

"What would I do with them?"

"Well," said the American, "you could sell them, make more money, buy a bigger boat, catch even more fish. Soon, you’d have a whole fleet! Eventually, you’d be rich, and then—you could really enjoy life!"

The Irishman took a slow puff of his pipe, then nodded toward the nearby pub where his wife was waiting with a pint, smiling at him from the doorway.

"And what do you suppose I’m doing right now?" he said with a grin.

💚 Moral of the story: The Irish know that love, laughter, and a good pint are worth more than all the riches in the world. So this Valentine’s Day, maybe skip the stress, pour a drink, and enjoy the moment with the one you love—just like the fisherman! 🍻💘

🍀 Did You Know? Irish Love & Romance Facts

❣️ Ireland’s oldest known love poem dates back over 1,000 years! It’s a poem written by an Irish monk about a woman named Líadan who became a nun after her forbidden love, Cuirithir, left her. Love and tragedy – the true Irish way!

❣️ The Claddagh Ring, an iconic Irish symbol of love, was first made in the 17th century in Galway. Worn a certain way, it signals whether your heart is taken or free! (Right hand, heart out = single; left hand, heart in = married!)

❣️ Saint Valentine himself is in Dublin! Yep, his remains are kept in Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin, making it one of the most romantic places to visit for couples in Ireland.

❤️ An Irish Blessing for Love ❤️

"May your troubles be less

And your blessings be more,

And nothing but happiness

Come through your door."

(Sure isn’t that what we all want in love?)

🍷 A Bit of Irish Romance – The Best Irish Love Songs!

Whether you’re toasting to love or drowning your sorrows, here are some classic Irish love songs to set the mood:

🎶 "Galway Girl" – Mundy & Sharon Shannon (A modern love anthem!)

🎶 "The Voyage" – Christy Moore (A song about love’s journey)

🎶 "Raglan Road" – Luke Kelly (For the poets among us)

🎶 "Nancy Spain" – Christy Moore (A song of deep love and longing)

🎶 "Only Time" – Enya (Soft, magical, and dreamy)

Which is your favourite?

💌❓ Ultimate Irish Valentine’s Quiz: How Well Do You Know Irish Love?

1️⃣ Where in Ireland is the famous Matchmaking Festival held?

2️⃣ What Irish city is home to the relics of Saint Valentine?

3️⃣ Which Irish symbol represents love, loyalty, and friendship?

4️⃣ What does the Irish phrase ‘Mo ghrá thú’ mean?

A) Will you marry me?

B) You are my love

C) Let’s go to the pub

5️⃣ In what Irish county is the Claddagh ring said to have originated?

A) Cork

B) Galway

C) Donegal

6️⃣ What’s the name of the 18th-century Irish poet who wrote the famous love poem “Raglan Road”?

A) W.B. Yeats

B) Patrick Kavanagh

C) Oscar Wilde

7️⃣ True or False: The Cliffs of Moher were once known as a place for lovers to make a wish together.

8️⃣ Which Irish song includes the lyrics ‘Her hair was black and her eyes were blue’?

A) Galway Girl

B) The Fields of Athenry

C) The Wild Rover

9️⃣ What is traditionally given as a gift during the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival?

A) A Claddagh ring

B) A red rose

C) A pint of Guinness

🔟 What is the Irish word for a kiss?

A) Póg

B) Grá

C) Ceol

(Scroll down for the answers!)

💚 Answer to the Irish Valentine’s Challenge:

1️⃣ Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare – Home of the famous matchmaking festival!

2️⃣ Dublin – Saint Valentine’s relics rest at Whitefriar Street Church.

3️⃣ The Claddagh Ring – Hands = friendship, heart = love, crown = loyalty.

4️⃣ B) You are my love – ‘Mo ghrá thú’ is a beautiful Irish phrase!

5️⃣ B) Galway – The Claddagh ring originates from the Claddagh village in Galway.

6️⃣ B) Patrick Kavanagh – He wrote “Raglan Road” about unrequited love.

7️⃣ True! – It’s said that lovers who whispered a wish at the Cliffs of Moher would have it granted.

8️⃣ A) Galway Girl – A modern Irish love anthem!

9️⃣ C) A pint of Guinness – Sure, nothing says romance like a good pint! 🍻

🔟 A) Póg – "Póg mo thóin" might be cheeky, but "póg" alone just means "kiss"!

🍫 A Bit of Irish Romance to End on:

If you’re lucky enough to be in love, cherish it. If not, sure, there’s always chocolate and a pint! And if all else fails, remember the Irish saying:

"Love and a red rose can’t be hidden."

Wishing you all the grá in the world this week!

💚 Slán agus beannacht,

Stephen Palmer

Founder IrishAroundTheWorld.com