Northern Ireland

Irish speakers wanted for new 'feel-good' dating show

A new Irish language dating show is looking for conversational speakers of all ages to take part
A new Irish language dating show is looking for conversational speakers of all ages to take part A new Irish language dating show is looking for conversational speakers of all ages to take part

Are you an Irish speaker looking for love?

Then the makers of a new TG4 dating show want to hear from you.

The programme, which has the working title of Perfect Partner, aims to begin filming across Ireland next month.

Devised by Kerry Rooney, from production company Kaleidoscope, the show wants people who can comfortably chat in Irish.

"The entire show is being shot in Irish so you need to have conversational Irish," Mr Rooney said.

Potential daters will be matched up according to their likes and interests, with a few surprises thrown in.

"There's also this concept of opposites attract so this doesn't necessarily take a straight-forward approach to simply saying 'oh these people both like theatre so let's match them'," Mr Rooney said.

The half-hour show will follow a participant who goes on separate dates with three potential matches.

"Then they decide at the end if they want to go on a second date with somebody or to see somebody again," he said.

"If they choose somebody, we'll send them away for a weekend. Then we'll catch up with them and see how they got on, whether they'll want to see each other again."

He added: "They'll go on days out and have fun. You'll get to see a bit of Ireland as well and see the days out you can do in Ireland. You can see where's good to go out in Limerick or Galway or Belfast."

Mr Rooney said the new show aimed to display a warmth missing from other dating programmes.

"It's a return to something fun and enjoyable and watchable for the whole family," he said.

"Love Island is the main dating show on TV at the moment and it's a bit intense.

"This is something in the Blind Date style. It's fun.

"We really want to learn about people and their stories."

He added: "We'll be rooting for them to find love."

Mr Rooney said the show is open to people of all ages, genders and sexualities.

"We want it to look like the dating scene that's out there," he said.

"We want people to see people who they recognise and relate to.

"One of the episodes we are planning is for people over 60. Over-65s are the demographic which is fuelling internet dating."

Mr Rooney said Covid has made it difficult for people to meet.

"People have been stuck at home for 18 months," he said.

"If you're dating 18 months is a long time to not get out and meet people. We feel that there's definitely a demand."

He said audiences are keen for "feel-good TV" in the midst of the pandemic.

"People want a bit of escapism, a bit of fun," he said.

"People love a romance. We want to make TV that makes you feel good for half an hour.

"There's too much TV that's slightly barbed. That's not the Irish character. Irish people are very friendly and welcoming. We want to reflect that."

Anyone interested in taking part in the show can email info@kaleidoscopeni.com for more information on how to apply.