Ways to connect with people in Ireland
There are plenty of ways to connect in Ireland if you know where to look. Irish people are legendary for their love of conversation, witty banter, and of course, the legendary gift of the gab, and so relationships often begin in the pub. Even if you don't have anyone to go out with, sit at the counter of your local bar, and you'll surely find people are happy to strike up a conversation with you. Chatting with strangers is commonplace in Ireland. According to dating experts, you should always stick to light topics of conversation, like the weather, and never any personal details or fraught topics like politics.
You can also take the initiative to meet potential matches by joining a club or group where people with interests like yours meet frequently, whether it's a walking club, music group, or sports club. Sporting events, team sports, and clubs, such as running clubs, can be great places for sparking new connections. Are you someone who loves to travel? Sign up for a solo travellers holiday. These are all great ways to meet people who share your interests, and maybe to find your perfect match too.
Meetup is a great networking website that allows you to connect with people in your area who share similar interests. Lots of expats use the website to meet new people at a variety of events and activities. Facebook also has hundreds of singles groups, for example, Dating Ireland, and joining one in your area is a great way to explore romantic opportunities.
An increasing number of people in Ireland are taking their search for love offline and attending speed dating events and other singles gatherings. The big cities like Dublin, Cork, and Galway host speed dating events regularly, so just google ‘speed dating' and your city to see what's available in your area.
The age-old Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is one of Europe's largest events for single people, a month-long festival held in September every year, where the ‘craic is mighty'. Tens of thousands of people from all over the world looking for love descend on the small town of Lisdoonvarna, on Ireland's west coast. The odds are certainly stacked in your favour if you enjoy finding a partner over drinks, dancing, and, of course, a matchmaker. Yes, that's right, a matchmaker. Those looking for love can meet Ireland‘s only Matchmaker, Willie Daly, in his office in the Matchmaker Bar. And legend has it that if you touch his ‘lucky book' with both hands, you'll be married within six months.
Volunteering can be a great opportunity to meet members of the opposite sex and connect with those who share your values. There are plenty of initiatives in Ireland, depending on what causes you're passionate about, so join a volunteer organisation or get involved with a local charity. You can look for volunteering opportunities in the national Ireland database.
