Waterford native among contestants on new Irish dating show

A radio presenter and an Irish translator are among the contestants who will be looking for love in a new Irish dating show.

The reality series for Virgin Media Television, titled Gra Ar An Tra, will see 10 singletons try to find their match while practising their Irish language skills.

Hosts Grainne Seoige, James Kavanagh and Siomha Ni Ruairc will guide the contestants through tasks and challenges as they seek to be crowned the “couple with the most focail” and walk away with a prize of up to 10,000 euro.

Among the line-up is Monaghan native Andrew Jackson, 27, who is hoping to put his way with words to good use.

The Irish translator said: “I’m looking to make new connections in Ireland after living abroad for so long, an exciting experience meeting people from all walks of life and a chance to show my passions in a modern, fresh environment where speaking Irish is the norm.

“If I manage to find Gra…all the better.”

Radio DJ Megan O’Regan Byrne is also looking to find a “more serious and mature” relationship during her time on the show.

The 24-year-old, from Carlow, said: “I’m so over boys, I need a man who is capable of talking about their feelings.

“I also want to improve my Gaeilge, it’s a beautiful language that I have had a gra for years for but I need a good teacher and I guess Gra Ar An Tra is the answer.”

Dublin-born Saoirse Eireann Ni Chuilleagain, 25, who works in digital policy, wants someone who is “in tune with themselves and their culture” while Dundalk native and IT risk manager Femi Bankole, 29, is hoping to find someone to match his chaos.

Ciara McMenamy, a 29-year-old pharmacy technician from Dublin, revealed she signed up to push herself out of her comfort zone while Longford native and student teacher Laura Pakenham, 21, hopes to find someone “kind and caring”.

Waterford born Donal Breathnach, who is a 30-year-old manager in a medical company, says he has been in love before but that he has “lots more” to give while HR manager Michelle McGrath, 28, from Clare, said she will not tolerate people trying to play a game on the show.

Limerick-born college student Sean O Maoilchiarain, 24, and apprentice electrician Loman Jinks, 22, from Galway, are also among the 10-strong cohort.

The first episode of Gra Ar An Tra will air at 9pm on tonight - Monday September 25 on Virgin Media One and Virgin Media Player.