Portumna

<p>There is 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;</p>
<p>But first, a little bit on why we do all of this in the first place...</p>
<h2>Who was St. Valentine and why do we celebrate February the 14th?</h2>
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<p>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.&nbsp;</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>What we do know for sure is that St. Valentine was a clergyman who was executed for his efforts to help persecuted Christians.&nbsp;</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h3>Ties to Ireland and an ancient poem</h3>
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<p>Since then, he's been the patron saint of beekeepers, epilepsy, fainting, travelling — as well as fiancees and married couples, of course.&nbsp;</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>But Valentine's Day's romantic associations don't seem to have their roots in the feast day of an ancient priest.&nbsp;</p>
<p>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;</p>
<p>All of that ancient history aside, here's what you can do locally with your one true love this Valentine's Day:</p>
<h2>Table for two</h2>
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<p>No Valentines Day is complete without an amazing meal neither of you has had to make yourself.&nbsp;</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/restaurant/modena-restaurant-icrjc" target="_blank">Modena Restaurant</a> , <a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/restaurant/the-ferry-inn-ttpex" target="_blank">The Ferry Inn</a> ,<a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/restaurant/omearas-bar-and-restaurant-vjtag" target="_blank"> O'Mearas</a> , <a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/restaurant/the-beehive-gswbu" target="_blank">The Beehive,</a>  <a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/restaurant/walshs-bar-and-restaurant-fjcox" target="_blank">Walshs of Woodford</a> , <a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/restaurant/bethlehem-restaurant-pnzno" target="_blank">Bethlehem.</a>&nbsp;</p>
<p>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<a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/mcentee-craft-butchers-uzozk" target="_blank"> McEntees</a>  with a nice Bordeaux from <a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/omearas-supervalu-pldub" target="_blank">O'Mearas Supervalu</a> ?</p>
<h2>The perfect gift</h2>
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<h3><strong>Looking for the perfect gift? It might be right under your nose.</strong></h3>
<h4>For pampering sessions at Portumna's local beauticians/barbers:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/in-your-prime-riobh" target="_blank">In Your Prime</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/eternal-beauty-salon-kmrh" target="_blank">Eternal Beauty</a> <a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/escape-beauty-azlsm" target="_blank">Escape Beauty</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/empire-hair-and-beauty-studio-sangt" target="_self">Empire Hair &amp; Beauty Studio</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/panache-hair-studio-lofka" target="_blank">Panache</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/keisha-and-co-fsjxz" target="_blank">Keisha &amp; Co. </a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/hair-by-chris-xwcjy" target="_blank">Lorraines Hair Studio</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/hair-by-chris-xwcjy" target="_blank">Hair by Chris</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/pearse-the-barber-tqwar" target="_blank">Pearse the Barber</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h4>For the ubiquitous perfume, luxury candle, gift basket pop right into:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/duddys-pharmacy-intbl" target="_blank">Duddys Pharmacy, </a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/haye-and-hayes-pharmacy-iqnlz" target="_blank">Hayes Pharmacy  </a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/flying-wild-mnoqc" target="_blank">Flying Wild</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h4>For a nice a cute top, new undies or lingerie:</h4>
<p><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/all-occasions-yvewh" target="_blank">All Occasions</a>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/ladies-day-fsmlq" target="_blank">Ladies Day</a>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>For beautiful bouquets:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/florabunda-hixwj" target="_blank">Florabunda</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/woodford-nurseries-scqvi" target="_blank">Woodford Nurseries</a>  and pop into their new cafe while you wait breathing in the scented flowers.</li>
</ul>
<h4>For delicious chocolate boxes and swoon-worthy cards:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/omearas-supervalu-pldub" target="_blank">O'Mearas Supervalue</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/the-boat-house-giftshop-czhdm" target="_blank">The Boathouse Gifthouse </a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/salmons-newsagents-qvvqf" target="_blank">Salmons Newsagent</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/dan-lynch-and-sons-hardware-and-builders-merchants-duleo" target="_blank">Dan Lynch and Sons</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/owen-casey-wood-turning-qtbhj" target="_self">Owen Casey Woodturning</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h4>For the Fitness and Outdoorsy Valentine&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/the-muscle-mill-paxsy" target="_blank">The Muscle Mill</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/the-mind-body-engine-viumm" target="_blank">The Mind Body Engine</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/maevemoranfitness" target="_blank">Maeve Moran Fitness</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/flowerhill-equestrian-centre-etleo" target="_blank">Flowerhill Equestrian</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/lough-derg-water-sports-kgfjn" target="_blank">Lough Derg Watersports</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h4>For unique yet thoughtful and desired Valentine gifts</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/mckeons-opticians-slynx" target="_blank">McKeon's </a>Designer Eyewear</li>
<li><a href="ploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/53092376896179104-8219658901293629-nonx" target="_blank">Lollipopz Kidswear </a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/the-cottage-store-ewoij" target="_blank">The Cottage Stores</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/lifestyle/coolbawn-quay-photography-kmcii" target="_blank">Coolbawn Quay Photographs</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/affinity-made-by-hand-yzgqy" target="_blank">Affinity Made by Hand</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/dan-lynch-and-sons-hardware-and-builders-merchants-duleo" target="_blank">Dan Lynch and Sons </a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://xploreapp.io/portumna/shopping/owen-casey-wood-turning-qtbhj" target="_blank">Owen Casey Woodturning </a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Local lovers lanes </strong></p>
<p>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 nosey mammies.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But no matter how old you are or how much time passes, this local spot will always mean something to those who found love (or lust!) there:</p>
<p>And in Portumna, Lovers Lane is more commonly known as The Ring! Go on add your own secret lovers lane to the comments below!</p>
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Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?

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