Is Belturbet the most romantic town in Cavan?

The question has to be asked. Is Belturbet the most romantic town in County Cavan?

For the third year in a row, Belturbet residents once again woke up this morning on Valentine’s Day, February 14, to find the town festooned in felt material hearts.

It's not yet known whether the heart attack is a repeat of previous years or a copycat artist but love certainly is in the air again in the Erneside town of Belturbet.

Trees, railings, bushes and door handles all had hearts attached to them, tied with ribbons, a gesture carried out under the cover of darkness.

The display of love first happened in 2021 just as the country was emerging from Covid lockdown. The actions subsequently went viral on social media after pictures were widely shared to overwhelming positive reaction.

The task was repeated in 2022 albeit on a much smaller scale.

The hearts on that occasion were the brainchild of Ukrainian artist Viktoria Frolova, who spent several hours overnight with her husband Olegs, pinning the hearts to pillars and posts and everywhere in-between.

Speaking to the Celt last year, Olegs explained that it is an ode to their love of the town that has taken their family in.

“We’re very happy here,” he says. “We were cutting, cutting, cutting these small hearts. To see the joy it brings people is really nice.”