The Irish people are legendary for their love of conversation, so even as a new arrival it's not too challenging to meet people. Whether you're looking for friends or a potential romantic partner, things in Ireland usually start with casual get-togethers and shared activities. Explore Ireland's many opportunities for outings and events with an open mind, and you'll set yourself up for passion and excitement in your future.

1

Get to know people at the pub.

  1. Both friendships and relationships often begin here. A long, relaxed chat at the pub is the prime way to fit into local culture. Even if you don't have friends or colleagues to go with, sit at the counter and you'll generally find people are happy to talk to you.[1] If you're looking for a date, it's also common to start with a few casual group visits to the pub before you suggest more formal, one-on-one plans.[2]
    • It's standard etiquette for each person in a group to take a turn buying a round. Don't feel pressured to accept a drink every time, but definitely offer when it's your turn if you want to make friends.[3]
    • Smaller, independent pubs tend to be a bit better for meeting strangers than large chain pubs.[4] Try another place if you're not having any luck—chances are you won't have to walk far.
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4

Meet people who share your interests at social clubs and events.

6

Date online.

  1. Online dating is common for all types of people in Ireland. While this wasn't true even ten years ago, dating apps and websites are now extremely common and no longer carry the stigma they once did.[8] You can browse through dozens of apps to find one that suits your situation and desired level of seriousness. Bumble, POF, Tinder, and Match.com all have plenty of Irish users. Hinge markets itself toward more serious daters, while Lumen is strictly for the over-50s.[9]
7

Find a date at the Lisdoonvarna matchmaking festival.

  1. This is one of Europe's largest events for single people. All through September, tens of thousands of people looking for love attend this festival in a small town on Ireland's west coast.[10] The odds are in your favour with those numbers, if you enjoy finding partners over drinks and dancing.
    • The town will be filled with partiers all month long, but you might need to buy a ticket for some of the weekend concerts.[11] And since it's a small place, it's probably a good idea to arrange your accommodation well in advance.
    • If you're planning to go in 2021, check the website to keep up to date—the organizers will decide in July whether the festival is on this year.[12]
    • This festival recently inspired an annual LGBT+ matchmaking festival, The Outing. Its 2022 event starts on the 11th of February in Dromoland.[13]
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About This Article

Maya Diamond, MA
Co-authored by:
Relationship Coach
This article was co-authored by Maya Diamond, MA. Maya Diamond is a Dating and Relationship Coach in Berkeley, CA. She has 13 years of experience helping singles stuck in frustrating dating patterns find internal security, heal their past, and create healthy, loving, and lasting partnerships. She received her Master's in Somatic Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2009. This article has been viewed 10,826 times.
5 votes - 80%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: August 15, 2022
Views: 10,826
Categories: Europe Travel
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