Hello Sarah,
A very happy New Year to you, too! What a lovely idea to plan a February long weekend, and congratulations on your pregnancy! What an exciting time ahead.
For a visit to Ireland, especially in February and around Valentine's, I'd recommend focusing on a city break where everything is close together, easy to get around, and you can dip your toes in and out of plans depending on how you're feeling energy-wise.
Dublin is a great option for a first visit. It's compact, full of atmosphere, and lovely for a long weekend. You'll find plenty of cosy pubs with live music, excellent restaurants, theatre and comedy. There is a page about '72 hours in Dublin' that might offer you some ideas:
https://bit.ly/3vOJu9d. There are also many wonderful restaurants detailed here:
https://bit.ly/3TLx2DW, suggesting 'Hot places to eat in Dublin'. Areas like the Liberties, St. Stephen's Green, and the River Liffey are great for wandering and exploring. Regarding live music, you can find 'Dublin's traditional music pubs' here:
https://bit.ly/3fm9x1F.If you'd prefer something a little smaller but very lively, Galway is a great option. It has a strong music and arts scene, brilliant food, and a lovely, welcoming feel. The city centre is flat and walkable, and there are lovely scenic walks very close to the city, such as Salthill. Recommendations for '3 days in Galway' can be found here:
https://bit.ly/44dCdAT. The top attractions available in Galway city are detailed here:
https://bit.ly/3vEUKVR. Cork also works really well for a long weekend. It's known for its food scene, relaxed pace, and characteristic streets. There's plenty to do without feeling hectic, and it's a suitable choice if you enjoy markets, cafés, and riverside walks. The main city attractions can be found here:
https://bit.ly/3owQF3u and foodie spots here:
https://bit.ly/3I0uIVp.Belfast is another excellent option, especially if you're interested in history, culture and food. The city offers many museums, live music and great restaurants. Information on music in Belfast can be found here:
https://bit.ly/3vWKCrx. Recommendations for 72 hours in Belfast are here:
https://bit.ly/33nyCUF and '10 brilliant Belfast pubs' here:
http://bit.ly/40kJ1Mr. For historic tours, areas like the Titanic Quarter provide an indoor-friendly experience with cafés and exhibitions, while guided neighbourhood walks offer insight into the city's past and present. Details on 'Titanic Belfast' can be found here:
https://bit.ly/3vVX8Ye. Overall, for a first visit - especially while pregnant - Dublin or Galway are probably the easiest and most flexible choices, with Cork and Belfast close behind depending on what appeals to you most. If you'd like, feel free to share how long you're planning to stay, whether you'll be renting a car and what kind of music and food you enjoy so that I can offer you more specific recommendations.
Best of luck with planning your trip, and I hope this was helpful!
Regards,
Sadhbh