Our Expert Irish Dating Guide

Whether you’re living in Dublin or Dingle, dating in Ireland can sometimes feel like a game of musical chairs: a grand time, but you often feel you’re running into the same people all scrambling for the same dating opportunities.

This sort of echoes something that singles in every country complain about. Though while the Irish dating scene is certainly unique, we often experience just a small part of it and assume the rest. So, let’s explore the true face of dating life in Ireland, navigating the new Irish online dating culture and some places to meet different kinds of singles.      

A modern look at Irish dating culture

With its stunning verdant rolling landscapes and the infectiously kind and welcoming nature of the people that make up Ireland, dating here makes for a great setting; there are over 1.7 million single people¹ – and another half a million Irish people living in the UK²

The modern dating scene has gradually shifted away from nightlife in recent years, giving rise to a whole slew of new ways to meet the country’s active singles.

Another factor that is still shifting the Irish dating landscape is online dating, which has given people constant and convenient access to a whole network of local single people they never knew were out there, despite the country’s famous close-knit community atmosphere.

This isn’t to say that using an Irish dating website or app has diminished or transformed the unique flair of the country’s dating culture. If anything, it has simply expanded how widely modern singles can date without sacrificing its essence.

What to know before you start Irish dating

Apart from the sense of familiarity, the dating scene in Ireland is known to be quite active, yet relaxed in tone. Everyone tends to be so social and convivial that it can sometimes be hard to tell whether you’re flirting with someone or having a really entertaining conversation.

Finding time to date can be challenging as more men and women tend to focus more on themselves and their careers, choosing instead to take dating more seriously later in life. However, their strong sense of community and tradition, particularly around certain holidays, means that when they do celebrate – which is often – they tend to not hold back.   

If you’re a foreigner looking to find Irish dating opportunities – whether you’re online in Ireland, on a dating site, or meeting people face-to-face – it’s worth knowing people can tend to be fairly focused on their culture and family. You should be open to new concepts, and perhaps try to understand these distinct nuances properly beforehand.   

How to meet Irish singles

Join a hiking group

Hiking groups are great in Ireland for singles who are looking to meet other active people. You can start with leisurely walking groups on the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk, and work your way up to the Devil’s Ladder on Carrauntoohil. 

Go to a festival

Whether it’s the relaxed scene of the Galway International Arts Festival or the more rhythmically chaotic Electric Picnic, Ireland’s diverse festival calendar is bursting with opportunities to meet people of all kinds. 

Carry on your education

It’s never too late to get back in the classroom with short courses. These environments bring out a naturally social vibe as you collaborate with a range of students, some of which may present Irish dating opportunities. Trinity College Dublin offers a range of short courses.  But if you’re more intrigued by the possibilities of an Irish dating site or app, you may want to consider eharmony

Why you should start dating in Bristol with eharmony

We know you just want to meet singles singles in Ireland or Irish singles in the UK. But what if there was a Irish dating site that offered much, much more? eharmony’s unique Compatibility Matching System means you can discover a dating experience that lets you show your whole personality and find someone who gets you, for a first date – or maybe even a lifetime. We match you on what matters most in a relationship – your values, your needs and how you communicate.

If you’re still wondering what makes eharmony different from the many Irish dating sites, here are a few reasons:

• Users rate eharmony as having the highest quality membership pool and the most thoughtful user profiles³
• Our Trust & Safety team works 24/7 to prevent scammers, bots and bad actors from accessing our platform. That’s why we’re the #1 Trusted dating app⁴
• We’re the experts. With over 20 years of experience and research into what makes relationships work, you’re always in good hands

Want to know more? Here’s your personal Irish dating guide to taking your love live to the next level.

Your guide to meeting Irish singles

Ireland dating ideas and venues

Once you’ve met the perfect person, you simply have to find the perfect date spot. Here are a few ideas both in Ireland and in the UK.

• Enjoy some of the latest films being screened at the stylish Pálás Cinema in Galway while enjoying some of the signature cocktails.
• Or make the drinks yourselves by trying a Jameson cocktail-making class at their distillery in Dublin.
• Get slightly competitive with some mini-golf at Rainforest Adventure Golf in Dublin. These dates tend to have that mix of cheesy and nostalgic that’s perfect for dating Ireland singles.  
• Take a small trip to Kinsale in County Cork. The small town is a kaleidoscope of colour and experience. Enjoy its many restaurants, pubs or scenic walks along the harbour.
• Take in the city from the water with Nevsail Limerick City Kayak Tours. Active ideas can be a risk in Irish dating, but not if outdoor activity is how you met.
• Enjoy a nice picnic and a bottle of wine at Inch Beach in County Kerry for a more laid-back date idea.
• If you’re feeling like really going upscale with it, you could always enjoy a night of fine dining at Aniar in Galway.
• Waxy O’Connors in London is among the city’s most famous Irish pubs, in Leicester Square, if either of you are feeling a bit homesick.
• If you’re looking for a quirky, immersive entertainment extravaganza, Chrome Productions in Edinburgh puts on unforgettable performances.
• Get the adrenalin pumping and, hopefully, your date’s heart racing a bit at Manchester Climbing Centre. Just make sure they aren’t afraid of heights.
• Enjoy some of the most state-of-the-art virtual reality experiences together at a dizzying pace at HADO Augmented Reality Sports in Coventry. 
• Making some sushi together can be a fun shared learning – or failing – experience. Try the weekly classes at YO! Sushi School in Cardiff.

Make the most of Irish dating opportunities anywhere in the world

From its vibrantly welcoming dating scene, to the endless array of urban and outdoor activities to uncover, meeting and dating in Ireland is almost guaranteed to be a fun and culturally enriching experience that will always be distinctly Irish. One where you can forge your own path to find your type of singles.

So, forget swipe apps and regular Irish free dating sites to find new dating opportunities. eharmony does the work for you, so you only spend time connecting with compatible singles who suit your personality and dating goals. Register today.