For passionate cooks

Jack Lenards, sous-chef at Michelin-starred restaurant Liath, will be teaching art of French cuisine from Tuesday 22 February, the next “from scratch” series in the chef supper club. From learning the intricacies of creating the sweetest chocolate fondant and a succulent boeuf bourguignon, this course is for all levels and can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own kitchen. Taking place virtually over six weeks, every Tuesday, Lenards will demonstrate two dishes per session – such as Toulouse sausage cassoulet, quiche Lorraine,  tarte au ciitron or a Paris-Brest among others. The price per class is €25, or €100 for all six, if booked at the one time. Each participant will receive links to the online classes along with the ingredients list and full recipe and instructions so you can make the dishes again and again. Lenards says,  “By the time you complete this course you will have firm grasp on the basics of classical French cookery, both sweet and savoury.” Experiences are available to purchase from www.thechefsupperclub.com.

For love letter enthusiasts

If you have a correspondence crush and are familiar with Letters of Note, the excellent book, blog and Twitter account of Shaun Usher then this Valentine’s experience will appeal. The Ivy Dawson Street has joined forces with Letters of Note to give diners Love –  a collection of the most passionate love letters written in history, reimagined by The Ivy Collection with a bespoke cover and foreword. The book will be offered to all guests who book a table in the Dawson Street restaurant on Monday, February 14. Inspired by love, there’s a limited-edition cocktail menu available for guests too from Friday, 11 to Monday, February 14, alongside Roses Are Red, Berries Are Too (€19.25), an indulgent sharing cheesecake featuring strawberries, raspberries, white chocolate cupid’s arrows, gold leaf and red heart sprinkles and rose petals. To book a table and receive a complimentary copy of Love on Monday, 14 February, visit www.theivydublin.com.

For chocolate connoisseurs 

Not only have Irish chocolatiers Karen and Natalie Keane, founders of Bean and Goose, special Valentine’s gift boxes including “The Crazy in Love Collection Gift Box” €22, but why not offer a subscription to the Bean and Goose Tasting Club?  Subscribers will receive two bars of Bean and Goose chocolate in the post. The subscription costs €45 for a three-month subscription, €84 for six months and €162 for a year; www.beanandgoose.ie.

For tablescapers

The new spring collection from The Designed Table has landed and includes a pretty range of quilted round placemats and monogrammed napkins. Fans of The Designed Table’s Check and Print collections should note there’s also a green and white check frill placemat plus green and white check napkins along with napkins to match the Botanical and Dahlia print added to the range. Prices start from €13.50 for a single monogrammed cotton napkin; €45 for a set of two embroidered quilted cotton placemats and €64 for a set of four green or navy and white checked frilled placemats. The new collection is available to order at www.thedesignedtable.com.

For a special spa treat

The “Never Ordinary Spring Afternoon Tea and Spa Package” at the g Hotel & Spa is €125 per person. This is definitely one for “galentines” and includes a 55 minute ESPA treatment (a facial or full body massage) and spring afternoon tea per person. Available to book now until the end of February; www.theghotel.ie.

For pampering devotees

A Purcell & Woodcock Midnight Pomegranate scented candle, Butlers Irish Atlantic Sea salted caramels, a jar of Moher rose bath salts with either a bottle of red wine, white wine or prosecco … these are the treats in the gorgeous Gra Box for Her, €60, one of many gorgeous gift ideas available at www.gourmetgifts.ie.

For music lovers: The Naughty & Nice package at Hard Rock Hotel Dublin

Hard Rock Hotel offers guests a music-inspired city escape, where couples can celebrate in rock star style. Not only can guests peruse the impressive pop memorabilia displayed around the hotel,  but in-room guests will find a complimentary Crosley turntable and  a Fender guitar for impromptu serenades. The hotel’s “Naughty & Nice” package includes overnight accommodation in a luxury king room, chilled champagne and strawberries on arrival, breakfast the next morning and a three-course evening meal at Zampas. Available from €329 for a midweek stay or from €399 at the weekend, based on two people sharing. www.hardrockhotels.com/dublin

For gin lovers 

Adare Manor Garden Gin Fig Edition is made with figs which grow in abundance on the grounds of the Manor. Blended with an array of 17 different botanicals I’m told this is a richly satisfying gin with “a spicy, earthy, focus enlivened by citrus, all supporting the central fig flavour and aroma.” Costing €95, it’s available to buy at www.adaramanor.com.

For beauty fans

This sounds like a fun way to spend the weekend with a beauty-mad friend. Harvey Nichols at Dundrum Town Centre is hosting a Valentine’s Speed Dating Interactive Masterclass with Fenty Beauty which will be on Saturday, February 12 and Sunday 13.^. The Fenty team will be hosting six on-counter masterclasses in which guests will be taken through the perfect date-night look at different sections of the counter. Guests will be given a luxury Fenty gift bag and will be able to get glam just in time to head out with whoever they choose to spend their evening with! Tickets are €10, fully redeemable on Fenty products. Guests can buy their tickets at Beyond Beauty in store; www.harveynichols.com.

For urban farmers

The “Grow Your Own Gourmet Flower kit” is a fun urban farming kit which will ensure that creative, colourful finishing touches can be added to recipes, €19.99. www.jiminy.ie 

For afternoon tea devotees

Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa is hosting an indulgent Valentine’s Rosé Afternoon Tea experience this weekend until Monday, February 14. The setting couldn’t be more romantic with inspiring views of the Wicklow mountains from the hotel’s Sugar Loaf Lounge. The afternoon tea experience includes a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly made plain and raisin buttermilk scones and delicious assortment accompanied by the choice of tea, coffee or a glass of Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé costing €70 per person. There’s also a non-alcoholic option at €50 per person. Pre-booking is essential; www.powerscourthotel.com.

For ballet devotees

I can’t think of a nicer gift than a ticket to Ballet Ireland’s forthcoming performance, Bold Moves, which combines beauty, passion and energy. This triple bill of contemporary work will take place at the O’Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Dublin on Saturday April 16, Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 at 7:30pm; tickets for the O’Reilly Theatre range from €25 – €32.50 (plus booking fees) from www.takeyourseats.ie.

For sea swimmers

Founded by friends Chris Bellew and Hugo McNulty, Love Your Swim Spot produces contemporary aerial images of some of Ireland’s most loved wild swimming spots – so far it has captured 60 beauty spots nationwide. The original posters also include information on the unique characteristics of each swim spot, such as the latitude and longitude, minimum and maximum water temperature, aspect and terrain – this can guide swimmers to discover new spots along with more familiar sites. Individual prints cost €65 plus post and packaging; www.loveyourswimspot.com.

For runners

There’s still time to register for the Irish Heart Foundation’s fundraising Love Run, a great initiative to combine passion with purpose. The run can be undertaken by participants wherever they choose across Ireland over Valentine’s weekend, February 12 – 13. Registration costs for €25 and in return participants receive a training plan, tips and a beanie. If you are unable to take part, donations – personal or corporate – can be made at the same site; www.irishheart.ie.

For wine buffs

The Valentine’s Gift Box from Wine Lab includes three bottles of wine as well as a box of Butlers’ Chocolates, a beautiful limited edition print and a choice of three “In Tandem Love Cards” created by illustrator Conor Merriman. This is priced at €95 including free delivery. You can also build your own gift starting with a bottle of bubbles, a full-bodied Rioja or a floral rosé and adding Irish snacks, cheese and charcuterie; www.WineLab.ie.

For art lovers

Self-taught Dublin artist Karen Wilson is currently exhibiting 22 new paintings – mainly of beautiful florals defined by their splashes of colour and heavy impasto paint – which are bound to have a broad appeal. Do have a look at the exhibition at Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, where you can also meet Karen on the last day of her show on Sunday, February 27. Her works are available to purchase from www.thedoorwaygallery.com.