A Romantic's guide to February in Ireland
February flutters in after the heaviness of the beginning of the year. She brings the lightest touch of birdsong and sprouting bulbs and still the promise of soup by the hearth. St Brigid and Imbolc make the whole presence more feminine and then there is Candlemas to bring the light.
St Valentine dances past with love hearts and kisses as we cheer on our rugby teams over a glass of hot whiskey and some teacake. I start to plan picnics and hikes, get serious about Summer markets and start seed shopping and planting in earnest. All at once it is warm and cold. I don’t want the fireside evenings to end but I want to swim in the sea and I daren’t!
As we forge into the the leap year, I am also sharing all the inspiration that could be, in my interiors blogspace while writing my next book and steadily reading through the large stack on my bedside table (currently Cat Lady by Dawn O’Porter).
This clever poem by Stewart Stafford captures all the good things of a simple life on a grey February day - groceries, storms, cosiness, warm fire, sleepiness, clean sheets…
Light a fire in flinty February,
As the evening time comes down,
Welcome all the family home
With shopping bought from town.
Hear the logs crackle and roll,
And the sparks pop and hiss,
A storm roars down the chimney,
To deliver its tempestuous kiss.
Drowsiness in the living room,
As the expiring embers fade,
Up we go to those clean sheets,
And beds so neatly made.
© Stewart Stafford, 2022.
And so to February, tell me more ….
1 February - Imbolc/St Brigid's Day: this year is a big festival in Ireland in honour of Brigid 1500 - check your local calendars to see if there are any activities organised, particularly in Dundalk and Kildare
2 February - Candlemas/Groundhog Day: watch the movie by candlelight to celebrate both
11th February - International day of Women and Girls in Science
13th February - Pancake Tuesday: try some savoury pancakes made with buckwheat flour (you can buy this is Holland & Barrett and other health stores).
250 g buckwheat flour, 2 eggs, 250 mls milk, 250 mls water, 40g melted butter. Mix all together and leave to stand before cooking as per normal crepes. Fill with crispy bacon lardons, spinach, creme fraiche. Enjoy with a glass of cider.
24th February - Full Snow Moon: look at the stars and bow to the moon
14th February - Valentine’s Day: create a special breakfast for those that you love. Pack a sweet lunchbox for younger kids. Make cards. Watch a romantic comedy with a box of tissues at the ready. Enjoy a great aperitif platter.
Things to Do
Spring Cleaning - cutlery drawer & linen cupboards
Book a holiday!
Pick posies of snowdrops and bunches of daffodils
Six Nations begins - cheer on your team
Make soup every Sunday night and eat healthy lunches all week.
Meet a friend for fish and chips with a glass of wine
What I’m listening to as I write today:
“Heaven” by Niall Horan
Where I am:
Handel Hotel, Dublin