Dáire has Ciara from Wexford in his sights

10:45, 04 Feb 2026Updated 10:53, 04 Feb 2026

Ciara the clay pigeon-shooting nurse from Wexford(Image: RTÉ)

First Dates Ireland is back for its eleventh series, as even more singletons enter the restaurant hoping to find love – with a few romantics from right here in Cork.

The second episode of the new series is coming to RTÉ2 on Thursday night, and will see Cork man Dáire, 28, trying his luck with 24-year-old gunslinger Ciara from Wexford. Ciara is a nurse, but when she’s not on the children’s ward she’s out clay pigeon shooting – while weekend hurler Dáire prefers to keep his head down.

The pair chat everything from housemates to dating apps, before getting onto the subject of Ciara’s hobby – but you’ll have to tune in to find out if a shotgun wedding is on the cards. You can see a clip from Dáire and Ciara’s date below – as an awkwardly timed Hinge notification threatens to spoil everything:

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Also on tomorrow night’s episode are rapping twins Gigi and Edgy, on a double date with Zimbabwe-born Jimmy and plumber Craig, as well as Sorcha and Jennifer, looking for a fairytale forever relationship.

Last week viewers were treated to a date with North Cork man Diarmuid Lehane, paired up with fellow ‘culchie’ Shannon from Limerick as he chatted about what it’s like to run his own pub. The Newmarket man took over his local when he was only 19, and told his date about how he livened up the town with his venture.

Cork man Dáire(Image: RTÉ)

On hand as always with words of encouragement and support throughout the dates are Maitre D’ Mateo, servers Alice and Pete and Neil behind the bar. Throughout the season the team will be there to guide daters to their seats, through the menu and through the good, the bad and the awkward.

Throughout Season 11, the First Dates restaurant will welcome the oldest daters ever, as well as celebrity guest X Factor finalist Mary Byrne, and some familiar faces, including Simon, who appeared on the very first episode of the show back in 2016.

First Dates Ireland continues on Thursday, February 5 at 9:35pm on RTÉ2.