First Dates recap: Notions, an 86th birthday and a shared love of Bounty bars
First Dates Ireland Stan and Lorraine hit it off on their date and have since joined forces to write a book for charity and celebrate Lorraine's birthday in Spain.
Hopeful daters returned to the First Dates restaurant on Thursday for a chance at finding ‘the one’.
Another eight people walked through the restaurant’s doors in the hope that they would meet their perfect match.
From important lessons on ASD to a shared love of Bounty bars, Thursday’s episode had it all.
Twenty-three-year-old Ellis from Meath was the first to appear on our screens, sharing with viewers that his timeless taste in fashion was something that came about after an older person told him ‘some men in life are handsome, and some dress well - you haven't got a choice, you have to dress well’.
“It just goes into your psyche and just lodges there and I, to this day, now think I can’t afford to walk around in a tracksuit and a hoodie - I have to dress well,” he said.
Ellis, who admitted that he is not good with change, braved the First Dates restaurant to find his person.
Enter Dearbhla from Galway who said she is looking for someone secure in themselves.
The pair hit it off at the bar after sharing a hug, and quickly bonded over their shared interest in theatre, tattoos and astrology.
Ellis touched on his sensory issues, sharing with Dearbhla that he likes to wear an Airpod in one ear to keep him grounded.
“I can’t control the environment in general, but I can control what I listen to, I can control what I hear in my ear and that kind of earths me,” he said.
The Airpod came out quickly though as the pair struck up a good conversation at the dinner table, with Ellis telling Maitre D’ Mateo Saina it was because he was “enjoying the conversation”.
“It’s a good sign for me…. I’m not used to that,” he said.
The pair’s chemistry was evident as conversation flowed, with Dearbhla opening up about her previous drinking habits in college which she said made her lose who she was.
The pair said they would like to see each other again romantically and went on to learn lots more about each other over drinks at The Workman’s.
Eighty-year-old Lorraine from Offaly made her return to the restaurant hoping to find love with her date Stan from Waterford.
Lorraine said she would like to find someone who doesn’t have too much baggage, saying if she wanted a job as a baggage handler she would be working for Ryanair, and spoke about the importance of “a two-way process” on a first date.
Lorraine and Stan spoke about the freedom of living a free-spirited life, being rebellious and their shared interest in the arts and musical theatre.
“I tried being normal once, it was the worst 10 minutes of my life,” Stan said.
Lorraine shared her interest in politics and spoke about her experience working as a communications manager in the UK, saying she adores Jeremy Corbyn who she described as “the best prime minister Britain ever had”.
Stan, who shared with viewers that he hopes to find real love again, celebrated his 86th Birthday on the date and was surprised with a cake.
When asked if they would like to see each other again, the pair said they would and Lorraine went on to invite Stan to Tullamore for lunch - if he has a good life insurance policy.
Since their first date, the pair have gone on to release a book together for charity and celebrated Lorraine’s birthday together in Spain.
Joker, performer and entertainer, Fingerz from Dublin entered the First Dates restaurant confidently sporting a waistcoat and ‘Notions’ necklace.
His date Katrina from Dublin was quick to catch on to his witty ways and the pair spoke about family, music, and their working lives.
During the date, Fingerz couldn’t help himself and began cracking jokes with the women seated at the next table while Katrina took a call in the bathroom, describing the date as “interesting” and Fingerz as “a very animated fella”.
Upon Katrina’s return to the table, Fingerz showed us his softer side by being a gentleman and pulling out her chair for her.
Katrina went on to share her weight loss journey with Fingerz, revealing that she had lost 14 stone over one year and how it has changed her life.
Asked if they would see each other again, Fingerz said their lives are aimed in different directions and the pair said their goodbyes.
A long way from home, Laura from Tipperary went to the restaurant looking for a well-groomed funny lad, hitting it off with her date Stephen from Cork.
The 23-year-old lifeguard complimented Laura who he said “looked lovely” and said it would be very difficult for their date not to go well.
The pair spoke about the courses they studied in Cork, their mutual connections in Thurles, and their shared love of Bounty bars.
Speaking about his sense of humour Stephen said: “Things most people wouldn't find funny, I’m on the floor skitting laughing. I'd call it silly humour.”
Laura spoke about how she regularly visits Cork and Stephen suggested that they organise another date when she next visits.
The pair said they would like to see each other again romantically, with Stephen promising Laura that he would teach her how to swim.
