Tune into First Dates Ireland tonight on RTÉ 2 at 9.35pm.
“I was shaking, I was like a jelly,” Mary Byrne says of her experience walking into the First Dates Ireland restaurant.
The singer, who first found fame on X-Factor some 16 years ago, says that the televised blind date will be her first romantic rendezvous following a decade-long hiatus.
“It’s 10 years ago since I had a date,” she confirmed. “Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve got a cuddle and a kiss every so often off a nice looking fella, but as regards to giving myself over in the last 10 years… it was scary, and I just didn’t do it.”
Mary Byrne
Dating can be tricky at the best of times, but when you’re recognised by everyone and their mother, it can make finding someone with pure intentions all the more complicated.
“People still know me,” she muses, “but what I want people to know is that I’m just Mary Byrne from Ballyfermot, and I’ll always be Mary Byrne from Ballyfermot.
“This side of my work is fantastic, and it’s brilliant to be known and for people to come up and give you a hug – that’s all they ever want to do, which is lovely – but remember, I am just Mary Byrne who has the same feelings as everyone else.”
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At 66 years of age, though, the Dublin woman says she’s found the confidence to face her fears and put herself out there again.
“I’m a much stronger person than I ever was,” she smiles. “Going on First Dates really proved to me that I have come so far in my way of thinking, in my way of life. I’m very honoured and very proud to have done it, and I’m very honoured and very proud to have met a nice person.”
With the help of the show’s matchmakers, Mary was set up with a man who hadn’t a clue who she was upon meeting, which was exactly what she was looking for.
“We had a great conversation, and he had no idea. I was so relaxed, and that’s what I want from a date,” she explains.
Mary’s date was Gerry from Raheny
Describing her perfect man, Byrne says that a warm personality is key.
“I just want someone to look me straight in the eye and be warm,” she says. “I like to be made laugh, which I was. I just want people to be honest about who they are because I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I’m honest with everyone I meet. I don’t have anything to hide. Everyone knows everything about me!
“A lot of people would say they know too much about me, but that’s their problem, not mine,” she quips.
“I’m going to continue being who I am. So, for a man… it has nothing to do with looks, nothing to do with what they earn or anything like that. It’s to do with how warm that person is, and I will know that within a few seconds. I don’t know why, but I always get these feelings when I’m in the company of a nice man who is genuine.”
We’ll have to tune into First Dates Ireland tonight to see if Mary’s date was a dream or a dud, but in the meantime, the singer is encouraging single people to get back in the dating pool – no matter their age.
“I’m 66, I’m not dead,” she states. “I’m still here! I still have feelings! I like a cuddle, I like a kiss. Actually, I love kissing – that’s one of the things that I love.
“When you get to a certain time in your life, you need to keep ticking that bucket list off,” she continues. “You need to keep challenging yourself and keep your mind strong.”
Tune into First Dates Ireland tonight on RTÉ 2 at 9.35pm.