First Dates recap: Loneliness, lessons on OCD, and a shared birthday
First Dates Ireland Lloyd from Cork enjoyed a date with Tanya from Ukraine on Thursday night's episode.
Eight more hopeful daters entered the First Dates restaurant on Thursday night in the hope that they would find the right match.
Thursdayâs episode saw Lloyd from Cork and Tanya from Ukraine hit it off over dinner; Rani and Julian reminisced about their life experiences; Conor and Daniel opened up about coming to terms with being different at a young age; and Dylan and Jules hit the right note on their date.
Flight attendant Tanya, who always trusts her intuition, said she has never been in a relationship because she is keeping her heart for someone important.
Having moved to Ireland from Ukraine two years ago because of the war, she told barman Neil about the culture shock she experienced when she first moved.
Before entering the First Dates restaurant, 23-year-old mathematician Lloyd from Cork said he knows his value and wonât settle for less than he deserves.
On their date, the pair spoke about their families, dating, and how Lloyd would make the perfect photographer for Tanya, who loves a good Instagram snap.
Opening up to Lloyd about how she had to learn how to be alone, with her parents and sisters living so far away from her, she spoke about how she has become happy on her own but that she does sometimes feel lonely and misses family.
Tanya, who always wanted to be a young mother, spoke about how she wants to have kids and Lloyd said that while he would like kids, he plans to wait a couple of years as âthereâs no going backâ once you have a family.
When asked if they would see each other again romantically, the pair both said they would like to meet again.
Rani, 66, from Kildare, who has been single for about 20 years, said that while she is loving being single and is very content in her life, she would like someone to add to that contentment.
A lover of theatre, film and the arts, she said she would love to share that common interest with a potential partner.
Julian, who took part in the show six years ago, and who is âdesperate for a womanâ met Rani at the bar, complimenting her âbeautifulâ eyes right away.
Julian, who described himself as an Irish country boy and a gardener, told Rani that he loves outdoor life, the theatre, and culture.
During dinner, the pair opened up about life experiences, with Julian acknowledging how lucky he is to have his health and sharing stories about his wife and his guardianâs respective cancer diagnoses.
âShouldnât we be lucky that we are alive and well?â he said.
The pair spoke about their mutual love of dogs and Rani spoke about her two Rottweilers, with Julian exclaiming that he better behave himself.
Julian described himself as very romantic and said that nurturing is âso importantâ.
Despite an enjoyable date, when asked if they would see each other again, Rani said she would not see Julian again romantically. Julian said that he was attracted to Rani but accepted her feelings.
Conor from Meath, who said he has been told in the past that he has golden retriever energy, highlighted the importance of good energy on a date but that it could be carnage if his date had the same energy as him.
Conorâs date, Daniel from Hungary, acknowledged how casual dating isnât really enough for him anymore and that he wants to find someone he can have a more meaningful connection with.
The pair hit it off over dinner, with Conor trying a mussel for the first time and exclaiming that it âwasnât actually too badâ.
Conor shared his story of having OCD and how he was bullied for it when he was younger.
He said that growing up and not knowing what it was, he thought it was how everyoneâs minds worked, but that when he found out there was a reason he felt how he did, it made him realise he canât help it and that it is simply who he is.
Daniel spoke about growing up in a big family of seven siblings and about his hometown back in Hungary, describing it as a place where everyone is up in everyone elseâs business.
He said he was a very flamboyant kid, played with Barbies and dolls and at the age of six or seven, realised that not everyone liked the same things as him.
He spoke about how he tried to hide his real self from a young age and struggled with the question of âwho really am Iâ for years.
âEverybody loves to tell you how you should live your life, what you should do,â he said.
When asked if they wanted to see each other again, Conor said that while he had a lot of fun on the date, he thought the spark wasnât there. Daniel said that he would have said yes to seeing Conor again but acknowledged that they had different personalities.
Dylan from Wicklow, who is in a band with his brother, described love as the most important thing in the world.
âLove is all you need,â he said.
Donning a suede ruby blazer and his lucky chain, Dylan waited at the bar while his date, Jules from Dublin, arrived at the restaurant.
Upon meeting, she complimented Dylan on his blazer, and he complimented her dress. They quickly bonded over having the same birthday, March 25 and went on to share their love of music.
Dylan spoke about his band and compared them to the âGallagher brothers but better lookingâ.
Jules shared that she is a fan of The Smiths and Morrissey, which she said she might regret revealing.
Dylan shared how he was named after Bob Dylan and Steve Earle - first name Dylan and second name Earle - and Jules said she was named after Jules Holland.
Following their date, when asked if they would see each other again romantically, they both said yes and spoke about plans for a karaoke date.
