Spending ahead of Valentine’s Day has soared by more than 450% on the same period last year – with Leitrim, Tipperary and Offaly the ‘most romantic counties’.

The spending power is matched fairly evenly across the country, new analysis from Bank of Ireland shows, with huge spikes seen on hotel stays, spa breaks, grooming and jewellery.

The bank’s debit and credit card analysis for the pre-Valentine’s Day period of February 4-8 revealed an explosion of pent-up consumer demand.

The total spend for the period was up a massive 456% when compared to the same time frame in 2021, as shoppers flocked to buy traditional Valentine’s gifts.

The spending analysis showed big year-on-year increases, with shoppers in Leitrim (+757%) leading the way, followed by Tipperary (+603%) and Offaly (+518%).

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However, it was the opposite story in Carlow (+326%), which recorded the lowest Valentine’s spend rise of all counties, with shoppers in Clare (+336%) and Cork (+384%) also proving to be somewhat more resistant to the charms of the annual outpouring of love.

With most aspects of life returning to normal following the lifting of the majority of Covid restrictions, the lure of enjoying some chilled-out time at a spa proved tempting for many, with outlay in this area rising by 435%, while spending on hotels soared by 1,001%.

The data also revealed people want to look their best for their partners, with total spending on grooming and beauty products spiking by 883%, while men placed their trust in perennial pleasers such as perfume (+48%) and chocolates (+40%).

And in a sign that love is eternal, the 46-55 age cohort topped the spending table by producing a rise of 520%, headlined by an outlay on jewellery up by 247%.

The 36-45 age group saw a 393% spending compared to the same period in 2021, and were keen to get away from it all, with their hotel spend going up 966%

.The 26-35 age cohort focused more on looking their best, as their spend on grooming and beauty items rose 664%.

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