Get ready for your evenings to heat up as First Dates returns to our screens!
Season 11 of the beloved dating series continued tonight with eight hopeful romantics – including beloved songstress and X Factor alum Mary Byrne herself – taking their seats at the Gibson Hotel, looking for love, romance, connection and at the very least a nice meal.
Many First Daters have snuck into the toilets for a reassuring phone call with a friend or family member, but for siblings Harry, 24, and Ava, 21, from Waterford all they had to do was glance across the First Dates restaurant and flash each other a smile of encouragement, as the duo set off on first dates of their own.
Michelle
Chatty, confident and high-energy, the one quality they both were looking for in partners was a nice smile, as Harry said: “Myself and my sister have had our own work done so when you’ve had your own work done maybe you just look at others and compare yourself.”
And their matchmakers gave them plenty to smile about as they met Michelle, 24, from Cork and John, 20, from Meath.
Especially as Michelle is a dental nurse and wasted no time in complimenting Harry’s pearly whites, much to his delight. Even better? She had specifically requested a shamelessly ‘bad’ dancer, which is one of Harry’s fortes, as he proved to the producers.
John
For John, it was attraction at first sight with Ava and the pair quickly got chatting about family, working abroad and their plans for the future.
While Harry and Ava had a family meeting in the toilets to debrief and check in on their dates, Michelle and John stole a moment to catch up themselves. It was clear from early on that the two couples were successful matches, and the foursome even rounded out the night chatting and joking like old friends.
Watch First Dates Ireland on Thursdays at 9.35pm on RTÉ2 or catch up on RTÉ Player.