Gort

There's more than one way to enjoy Valentine's Day in your locality. From a lovely meal at a local restaurant to gift shopping or a visit to a romantic hotspot, your town has everything you need to celebrate this Valentine's Day in style.&nbsp;
But first, a little bit on why we do all of this in the first place...
<h2>Who was St. Valentine and why do we celebrate February the 14th?</h2>
Despite some confusion surrounding his true identity, it's generally accepted that St. Valentine was an actual person who lived in Italy during Roman times and died in A.D. 270. However, the St. Valentine we celebrate today might be a mixture of two different people, owing to <a href="https://www.history.com/news/6-surprising-facts-about-st-valentine" target="_self">the fact that accounts of his life differ</a> — some claim that he was a temple priest and others claim he was a bishop.
What we do know for sure is that St. Valentine was a clergyman who was executed for his efforts to help persecuted Christians. He was martyred by the Roman Catholic Church, and February 14th (the day he was buried) became a feast day in the Catholic calendar from the year 469 onwards.
<h3>Ties to Ireland and an ancient poem</h3>
Since then, he's been the patron saint of beekeepers, epilepsy, fainting, travelling — as well as fiancees and married couples, of course. Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin <a href="https://whitefriarstreetchurch.com/index.php/the-church/shrines/saint-valentine" target="_self">houses St. Valentine's relics</a>, including some of his remains, which were donated to the church in the 1830s by Pope Gregory XVI.
But Valentine's Day's romantic associations don't seem to have their roots in the feast day of an ancient priest. In fact, February 14th's connection to love was created by <a href="https://www.history.com/news/6-surprising-facts-about-st-valentine" target="_self">medieval poet, Geoffrey Chaucer</a>. It was only after his poem 'Parliament of Foules' became well-known (way back in the late 1300s) that people started to celebrate love on February 14th.&nbsp;
All of that ancient history aside, here's what you can do locally with your one true love this Valentine's Day:
<h2>Table for two</h2>
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No Valentines Day is complete without an amazing meal neither of you has had to make yourself. Even though a Monday evening doesn't exactly scream 'takeout' or 'date night', there are plenty of spots around town that will make dining out (or ordering in) well worth your while:
Sullivan’s Hotel - Evening Specials for Friday &amp; Saturday
"Love at First Bite"
Sully’s Surf ’n’ Turf - prime 10oz rib-eye steak topped with tempura battered king prawns, with a side of sauteed onions &amp; mushrooms and fries
Creamy Seafood Linguine - a medley of seafood in a lightly-flavoured white wine sauce on a bed of linguine
Pan-fried Breast of Chicken - with mushroom &amp; tarragon sauce, topped with crispy pancetta, on a bed of spring onion mash
Bundee Burger - prime 8oz beef burger topped with smoked applewood cheese, crispy bacon and onions, dressed with lettuce &amp; tomato and our signature relish
Cauliflower &amp; Chickpea Kerala Curry - with steamed basmati rice
Passionfruit &amp; Orange Cheesecake with fresh cream
Homemade Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla ice-cream
Phone 091 631 257 or 091 631 401 to order takeout or to make a reservation
The Lady Gregory Hotel
The Lady Gregory has a fantastic Valentine's Day menu, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ladygregoryhotel/photos/a.144801311221734/163853555983176/" target="_blank">see the menu here</a>, €35 pp including one complimentary bottle of Prosecco or wine per couple. Reservations are filling up fast so call them on +353 91 632 333 to book a spot.&nbsp;
If you're a dab hand in the kitchen and prefer a home-cooked meal, why not check out the Valentine's Day offers at your local butcher's?
O'Donnells Meat Market 
4 The Square, Gort&nbsp;
Phone: 091 648 811&nbsp;
Gerry O’Donoghue Family Butchers 
Georges St, Gort&nbsp;
Phone: 091 632 957&nbsp;
<h2>The perfect gift</h2>
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Looking for the perfect gift? It might be right under your nose.
Swan Leisure Club Valentine’s Weekend Specials 
Treat yourself, your family or a loved one to some personal training or pool passes.&nbsp;
• (6) 1-hour personal training sessions for only €99.00&nbsp;
• (6) pool passes - Single €40, Couple €55.00 or Family €65.00&nbsp;
On sale 11th - 14th Feb only&nbsp;
Phone 091 647 947&nbsp;
Rooster’s Café &amp; Farmshop 
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Rooster’s have a large selection of handmade chocolates, soaps, and hampers for the special person in your life.
Church Street Flowers 
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 Beautiful flowers for beautiful people Free delivery within Gort town Open seven days a week.
<h2>Forgetting Something?</h2>
If you've forgotten something, or someone, get down to these local shops, they will see you right.&nbsp;
<a href="https://xploreapp.io/gort/shopping/the-gift-box-hazvq" target="_blank">The Gift Box</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://xploreapp.io/gort/shopping/treasures-pohuh" target="_blank">Treasures</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://xploreapp.io/gort/shopping/gort-garden-centre-sybef" target="_blank">Gort Garden Centre</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://xploreapp.io/gort/shopping/centra-byhfu" target="_blank">Centra</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://xploreapp.io/gort/shopping/supervalu-vzqkk" target="_blank">SuperValu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://xploreapp.io/gort/shopping/quinns-pharmacy-dhiuo" target="_blank">Quinn’s Pharmacy</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://xploreapp.io/gort/shopping/dalys-pharmacy-ozbpg" target="_blank">Daly’s Pharmacy</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://xploreapp.io/gort/shopping/gilmartins-pharmacy-jxmjx" target="_blank">Gilmartin’s Pharmacy</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Local romantic walks </h2>
If you didn't grow up around these parts, you might not be familiar with the places where lovebirds go to escape prying eyes and nosy mammies. But no matter how old you are or how much time passes, these local walks will always mean something to those who found love there:
<a href=" https://www.coolepark.ie/trails/ " target="_blank">Coole Park</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://yeatsthoorballylee.org/visit/" target="_blank">Thoor Ballylee</a>&nbsp;
This Valentines Day spread the love, love Gort, support local.&nbsp;

Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?

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