On the hunt for an Irish spouse? Or just fancy a bit of craic for Valentine's Day? Here's where you could find that special someone in Ireland.
Whether you’re on the hunt for an Irish spouse or you just fancy a bit of craic, here are the top places to meet that special someone in Ireland.
Before setting out, IrishCentral advises that you do some pondering on the type of Irish man/woman that you’re looking for before choosing one of the following locales.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you the best of luck in your quest to find that special Irish someone. As a nation we are proud, as a people we are kind, but as a potential partner, we are perfect!
GAA match
GAA is the national sport in Ireland. Similar in ways to Aussie rules (football), and ice hockey on grass (hurling), Gaelic games are fast-paced and require a great deal of skill and precision. It’s at the heart of every community in Ireland so it is the perfect setting for bumping into a desirable.
Whether your target is a player on the field or a spectator in the stand, simply spark up a conversation about either of the playing teams and you are guaranteed to whip them into a verbal frenzy.
If it’s your first time at a Gaelic football game then perhaps you could put forward a few questions to the man or woman involved such as “Do you play yourself?” Also, wolf-whistling is a real asset here, to really get yourself noticed. Whistle when your team scores. Or try shouting out random statements such as “Ref what are you thinking,” or “put it (the ball) in the back of the net."
Pretending to have some kind of knowledge of the sport will only allure your possible partner!
A Dublin supporter outside of Croke Park, the GAA's headquarters in Dublin. (RollingNews.ie)
Trad session
There is nothing like a good old trad session. Typically, traditional Irish music sessions are perfect for snapping up a 100% authentic Irish person. These musicians are not only ridiculously talented but they are usually able to double-fist their instruments with a pint of Guinness. Music and alcohol - two of Ireland’s great loves combined! The passion and talent displayed at a trad session will blow your mind.
Not only could you potentially bag a winner, but you will also be immersed in a truly exceptional cultural experience.
A trad session in Galway City. (Ireland's Content Pool)
An Irish wedding
Perhaps you are lucky enough to have some distant relatives that like to invite all the American cousins to the always grand Irish weddings. But fear not, all is not lost if you don’t possess an invitation to such a joyous occasion. Wedding crashing can be an adventure in itself, but factor in a possible man or woman hunt and you are in for a thrilling day!
Don’t be too cheeky and avoid trying to bag a seat for dinner. Simply show up at the after-party which is when the real fun usually starts. If anyone asks, just simply say you know the bride from when she did her J1 or your uncle Jimmy’s cousin from Boston. You haven’t seen the family since you were a child and are so happy to be a part of their special day. Once you’ve decided on your target, swoop in with a few token anecdotes about your childhood visits to the Emerald Isle.
A grand Irish wedding is sure to be craic-filled. (Getty Images)
Stephens Green in Dublin or Eyre Square Galway
For those of you hitting Ireland during the summer months then these are two locations that will be packed with lads and lasses. If it’s a hot day then you’ve hit the jackpot. Besides the sheer amount of bodies that grace these locations during the summer months, both attractions are well worth a visit.
It’s our job to point out that drinking in public is illegal in Ireland so best not to pull out a six-pack in front of the Garda (Irish policeman) doing his rounds. To really get noticed you should bring along a football perhaps or a Frisbee. Before you know it, you will have people joining in from all angles. If you really want to mix it up bring along some baseball paraphernalia. Pitching a baseball will definitely get you noticed.
People enjoying a sunny afternoon in Dublin's Stephen's Green. (RollingNews.ie)
Surfing in Lahinch, Kilkee, Rosses Point, or Bundoran
Ireland's coastline along the Atlantic Ocean draws thousands of visitors each year. The rolling waves off the West coast of Ireland are an optimum spot for bumping into that special someone. Most weekends and holidays these locations witness a flood of Irish surf enthusiasts, who akin to the surfer stereotype tend to be laid back, down for the craic, and adventurous.
If you’re not a surfer yourself then just simply hang around these beautiful beaches or in the local bars that surfers flock to after their day riding the waves.
Surfers in Bundoran, Co Donegal. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Festivals
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, The Rose of Tralee, St. Patrick’s Festival - the list and possibilities are endless. Ireland is home to some of the most unique and diverse festivals which occur all throughout the year. From music to culture there is something for everyone. If you show up to almost any festival in Ireland chances are you will meet that someone special.
Irish people love a good festival and usually take time out to enjoy the festivities. The mood, atmosphere, and events are especially conducive to colliding with a man or woman.
A reveller at Dublin's 2022 St. Patrick's Day festival. (RollingNews.ie)
The Islands
Ireland is an island itself of course but it is also surrounded by some of the most charming islands one could imagine. From the famous Aran Islands off the coast of Galway to Achill Island off the coast of Mayo, there are several options for the seafaring kind. A quick boat ride will land you in an unspoiled area of Ireland.
Not only will you get a fabulous insight into islanders' existence, you will also witness some of the most rugged scenery Ireland has to offer and that’s before you check out the talent! The indigenous people are very friendly and enjoy regaling tourists with tales of the past.
Inisheer, the smallest of the Aran Islands, off the coast of Co Galway. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking festival
Ireland’s biggest festival, this gets a mention all of its own. Every year thousands of singles flock to Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare in the hopes of finding love. Europe’s largest single event includes matchmaking midweek dancing, a racing weekend, and concludes with a matchmaking final weekend.
Old and young are in with a favorable chance of picking up a few dates!
The famous Matchmaker Bar in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Copper Face Jacks Nightclub, Dublin
If alcohol and dancing are your thing, then Copper Face Jacks is the place for you. This venue gets a special mention because of all the couples who met after crossing this treacherous threshold. Coppers is not for the faint-hearted, and definitely not for those who sip Grey Goose martinis. Posers stay away, Coppers is rough and ready and packed to capacity with males and females on the prowl!
This no-frills nightclub is a mecca for accountants, police, nurses, and teachers to mention a few. This Harcourt Street meat market gets very busy at the weekends so best to show up early to get a ringside view of all the talent that parades through the two-storey club. One piece of crucial advice, don’t go there sober.
Copper Face Jacks night club on Harcourt Street in Dublin. (RollingNews.ie)
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