The Late Late Show is celebrating love in all its forms tonight with a show dedicated to romance and butterflies in your stomach.
'So who are the guests for their infamous Valentine's Day episode?', I hear you ask. Well, Tubs has a treat for everyone in the love-struck audience.
Reality TV star couple Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews fell in love while filming a TV show in 2017, and now they're married with little baby Theodore. They join Ryan Tubridy in the studio tonight, getting candid about their relationship.
What else could startle the romantic senses on the guest seat? Well, someone who has adapted some of Shakespeare's greatest love stories to film and TV is stopping by for a chat.
Actor and director Kenneth Branagh will join The Late Late Show panel of guests to discuss his new movie All Is True, and will elaborate on why Ireland holds a special place in his heart, having moved to England at a young age.
The show has also carried out a search for 'The Greatest Love of All' nationwide, and the public will exclusively be hearing some of the most romantic tales of true love, and viewers who have found their soul mate against all the odds. SWISH SWOO.
Primark are well-known for their affordable lingerie collections, but we have fallen head-over-heels in love with their latest Valentine's Day collection.
Featuring red lace cut-out bodys, lace thongs and matching bra sets, not to mention silk pyjamas and robes, you're in for a TREAT.
The vibrant red floral theme has stopped our hearts, we have got to get ourselves down to the nearest store to grab them before they're gone.
Their website tells customers to: “Treat yourself to a lil’ gift ‘to you, from you’ and unwind in our new ivory lingerie, lace bodies, and nightwear range."
“The kimono sleeved dressing gown is about to become your new BFF, for early morning coffees at home, and pre night out prep sessions alike."
Don't mind if we do…At this low price, who could blame us for buying the entire shop?
Image: www.prshots.com
Pink lace bra: €12
Matching pink lace thong: €5
Pale blue Maximise diamanté bra: €10
Pale blue diamanté 2-pack lace thongs: €10
We're especially in adoration of the pale blue lace corset bra, I mean imagine how GREAT you'd look as a stunning Marie Antoinette?
The hugely popular store is also selling gifts for the big day of love, with candles, cushions, mugs and 'love vouchers' for your chosen one.
You'll have hearts racing in no time with these products. The collections are available in stores now, hurry down before February 14.
Valentine's Day can put a LOT of pressure on our shoulders (or those of our boyfriends/husbands) when it comes to gifts.
Whether it's the classic present of roses, chocolates or more elaborate ideas like a hotel getaway; you're going to need some good offers because the holiday brings some expenses alongside it.
We've created a list of our top Valentine's Day gifts you can find at the moment, get them before they're gone.
1. Jo Malone London Valentine's Day Floral Box
What better treat to give than the iconic Jo Malone glamorous glass bottle, containing a scent inspired by "seven of the world's finest roses", with a hint of lemon and crushed violet leaves.
Positively dreamy, a little bit like everlasting love. The special floral box is available exclusively from February 7 until Valentine's Day, and we advise pre-ordering because these will absolutely fly out the door.
Some of us need something stronger for Valentine's Day, and Absolut really is the perfect choice. They've created the Drop of Love bottle; an ink message fed from signs of hatred around the world and turned into a message of love. Pretty inspiring.
The action has been used by the company to show the ability to recycle hatred and create something better from it; for example some UNREAL vodka with natural ingredients and no added sugar.
The Swedish vodka brand love coming up with campaigns with artists, designers and aid organisations, and this Valentine's Day bottle is the best one yet.
Jo Malone have partnered up their most loved scents to curate the Jo Malone London Power Couples; layer the fragrant duos to create an irresistible pairing on your skin.
Trust us when we say…they smell AMAZING. The New Romantics feature peony and blush suede and wild bluebell for a softly sensual scent, The Sweethearts combine the English pear and freesia with nectarine blossom and honey for a golden pair.
Seaside Soulmates bring together zesty citrus nots with lime basil and mandarin and wood sage and sea salt for a dynamic duo. Lastly, Star-Crossed Lovers pair jasmine sambac and marigold with wood sage and sea salt for a heavenly experience.
We can't gush enough about these, what a beautiful Valentine's treat these would be.
5. Limited Edition Red Caps & Keepsake Heart-Shaped Box from Jo Malone London
Limited edition red caps are only €5 each along with a free heart-shaped box when you make a purchase between February 1 and February 14, and you can even add a free embossed message, date or initials to the box as an added extra.
It's the first time that the veteran brand are offering a romantic take on Jo Malone London’s signature cream and black packaging; you can acquire the gorgeous heart-shaped box when you buy two or more products in select boutiques in Ireland.
We're heading straight to the shop, we can't let this offer go.
For Valentine's Day, it's only too important to smell and feel your best. We've found the ideal scent for the eve: ROSE. French powerhouse brand L'Occitane have gifted us with a set, that we all both need and deserve.
The gorgeous and elegant fragrance set includes: Rose Eau de Toilette, Rose Shower Gel, Rose Body Lotion and Rose Hand Cream.
L'Occitane 'Romantic Rose' collection is priced at €69 from the L'Occitane website.
7. Bia Beauty facial oil
We are LUSTING after Bia Beauty at the moment; the emerging Irish brand use Mother Nature to deliver 100 percent natural, highly effective, ethically sourced and excellently-packaged products.
Owner Tracey Ryan is a herbal scientist based in Cork, so she has an abundance of fresh ingredients on her doorstep to use, which helped her to create their facial oil.
The nutritious skin product contains rose hip seed oil which is full of anti-oxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids. Wear it at night to repair and soothe the skin or during the day to boost hydration and plump the skin.
Give it as a gift this Valentine's Day for a woman who desires reduced scarring and increased cell rejuvenation. Gorgeous, Irish and cruelty free: Award-winning Bia Beauty products are definitely made with love.
8. Solid Fragrance Combining Palette by Jo Malone London
A sleek, travel-ready palette is absolutely genius from Jo Malone; it effortlessly encases two solid perfumes for on-the-go scents.
Customers can fill their palette with their choice of two Jo Malone London scents from a selection of ten of the brand’s most-loved, to curate their own pair.
Choose from; Lime Basil & Mandarin, Basil & Neroli, Pomegranate Noir, English Pear & Freesia, Blackberry & Bay, Nectarine Blossom & Honey, Peony & Blush Suede, Mimosa & Cardamom, Wood Sage & Sea Salt and Oud & Bergamot.
The Palette and Refills are available now at Brown Thomas Dublin, get your hands on a pair ASAP before they sell out for Valentine's Day. The cologne's are basically unisex, so they can be bought for man or woman.
Buy: Jo Malone London
Price: Palette: €27
Perfume/Cologne: €16
Perfume/Cologne Intense: €18
9. The Clean Beauty Edit haircare essentials gift-set
Time to go clean and green in 2019; the Clean Beauty Edit are bringing cult, clean beauty brands to Ireland through their gorgeous online boutique.
Olio E Osso, Ilia Beauty, Evolve Organic Beauty, Warpaint, Lily Lolo, Ere Perez and Sun Potion are the brands which Clean Beauty Edit are importing to Ireland,
All products are natural, cruelty-free, toxin-free and sustainably produced and packaged, and their haircare gift-set is GORGEOUS for Valentine's Day. The set includes luxury travel sizes of their Superfood Shine Shampoo, Superfood Shine Conditioner, and Nourishing Hair Elixir.
Their luscious shampoo is formulated with natural cleansers from sugar and coconut which gently cleanse scalp and hair without stripping natural oils. The Baobab proteins boost the shine and organic pomegranate extract rehydrates and protect the hair; what a stunning, thoughtful gift.
10. CraicPack Valentine's Day box for Irish Expats
CraicPack bring some chocolate Irish goodness to everyone at home and abroad. This year they're making a new Valentine's Day box with up to 50 sweets that Irish people living far away miss the most; such nostalgia.
Items included in the adorable box are 10 different types of Dairy Milk, 15 other Cadbury items, Butlers and Love Hearts. Oh, and they even add a box of tea to every pack, because what else would you pair with a chocolate bar? Nothing, that's what.
To help the local community, CraicPack donate up to €5 from every box sold to Focus Ireland to aid the on-going homeless crisis in Ireland. Hon the lads.
Buy: CraicPack
Price: CraicPack (13 sweets + tea): €45 Mighty CraicPack (25 sweets + tea and crisps): €66 The Craic is 90 (50 sweets + tea, crisps, Butlers and Oatfields): €99
11. ÉminenceChocolate Mousse Hydration Masque, Apricot Body Oil and Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel.
Éminence organic skincare is a luxury spa brand that you NEED to hear about, especially for the romance of Valentine's Day. They plant a tree for every product sold; over 10 MILLION to date, and use wind and solar energy for production.
Their peanut inner packing is even made from cornstarch, so it can be composted and is water dissolvable; they really do care about the environment, and their skincare range reflects that.
Not only are they ethical, their newest Valentine's Day products are the perfect present to treat a loved one with.
The Chocolate Mousse Hydration Masque fights the visible signs of ageing. Containing a healthy dose of antioxidant-rich cocoa, which is great for your skin, it's macadamia, almond and jojoba oils also provide deep hydration.
The luxurious Apricot Body Oil is blended with an assortment of essential oils, such as grape seed and jojoba, to create a luscious massage oil that leaves skin feeling irresistibly soft.
Last but not least, the Éminence Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel is an at-home peel that can easily be done before a romantic meal.
Valentine's Day always brings an onslaught of great hotel offers, but how can you choose the best one for the most practical price? The Westbury has been voted Ireland's number one hotel by Condé Nast Traveler Readers, and for a good reason.
Enjoy some lavish indulgence in the heart of Dublin by retreating to The Westbury's romance experience. This includes an overnight stay for couples with a romantic rose petal turndown, bottle of chilled champagne, strawberries and delicious chocolates, and a delicious full Irish breakfast in bed in the morning.
‘Romance at the Heart of the Dublin’ with The Westbury is available to book from €450 per room; a great offer considering the prestigious location. Treat yourselves to a trip, you deserve it.
13. Aldi's Valentine's Day alcohol offers: G-in Love
Aldi are offering us something MAJORLY special this Valentine's Day, whether you're waking up to champagne in bed, or heading on a dinner date with gin in mind.
They're giving us the exclusive Boyle’s Alchemy Colour Changing Gin, infused with petals of the Asian butterfly flower, which shifts colour from blue to pale pink with the addition of tonic. Yep, actual. real-life COLOUR-CHANGING GIN.
It’s all to do with the movements in pH, but we can guarantee that this is some magical science.
Buy: Aldi
Price: Boyle’s Alchemy Colour Changing Gin: €24.99
That's not all they've got up their sleeve; Aldi's DV8 Pink Gin Cream Liqueur is BY FAR the perfect gift. Made by the Irish producers of multi-award-winning Brennan’s Old House Gin, this gorgeous liquor will make anyone's day special.
Aldi have some unique sale offers especially for the most loving day of the year; Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut NV, the best-selling and award-winning wine from Philizot and Fils is reduced to only €19.99.
Giotti Spumante Rosé, Sparkling Rosé Blosson, Beaujolais Rosé 2018, Fairtrade Moscato Rosé 2018 have each had their prices cut so that love can blossom with a bit of alcohol to help. Even if it's self-love…
CND are changing the GAME when it comes to nails. For Valentine's Day, why not treat yourself or your significant other to some gorgeous new shades from the iconic brand.
Their new range has stunning pinks, dark berry, ravishing reds and blush tones; show off your romantic side.
Mambo Beat, Rose Bud, Hot Pop Pink, Tinted Love, Wildfire and Dark Lava are ideal for a hot date, or pretty much anything the night has in store. There's a colour for every kind of date.
All of these romantic shades are available in both CND SHELLAC and CND VINYLUX, for longer-lasting looks.
Winter can be an absolute pain when it comes to your precious lips. We need them for so many things, especially kissing for Valentine's Day, but the bitterly baltic weather does it's best to dry them out.
We were intrigued by the science behind it, so asked Marie Therese, Head of Training with Graham Anthony Distribution, for the 411 on why our lips lose their coveted moisture.
She explained that our lips can become very dry because our lips do not have working sebaceous glands, which would serve the purpose of keeping our lips moist. Harsh conditions and ageing are also key factors.
Cracks can appear as we grow older, and thinning can take place. In the winter, saliva containing amylase and maltase strips away the skin on our lips, leaving them exposed to dry air. (EW)
Basically; take care of ya mouth (Inside and out). We're talkin' dental, we're talkin lip balms, we're talkin' lip moisturising.
We've got you covered for the day of luuuurve; try any of these for February 14 and your lips will thank you for the kissing treatment.
1. Burt’s Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment
Burt's Bees has been around for a long time, namely because it's one of the best brands around when it comes to lip care.
Their Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment provides long-lasting moisturising properties for soft, smooth and healthy lips. Shield those puckers from dryness while you sleep with 100% natural Ceramide, so you wake up ready to smooch.
Oh, and it's 100% natural and free from parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS's: We heart.
Uriage have been upping the stakes for lip balms for years, and now the French skincare giant have made the first barrier lip balm to be formulated with Poly-2; an innovative patented complex offering triple action.
The brand is super trustworthy, and the soothing repair balm will be your new bestie.
5. Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Lip Quads – The 4 in 1 Lip Liner Pen
All you need to do is click, twist and pout, according to Aimee Connolly. Her infamous 4 in 1 Lip Liner Pen comes in pink and nude editions, and is legit the holy grail of lip liners.
Multi-award winning makeup artist Aimee Connolly is changing the beauty game with long-lasting, non-drying, pout perfecting products. Line your lips to match your mood this Valentine's Day, with rose, bay, blush, peach, buff, pure, bare and rouge tones on offer.
The Payot Nutricia Lip Balm is a PERFECT for those hunnies with dry skin, who are seeking smoothness this Valentine's Day.
The unreal reparative lip treatment with a slightly pearlescent finish that works to comfort and nourish your lips.
The moisturising formula uses an Oleo-Lipidic complex, sweet almond, raspberry seed and meadowfoam oil to strengthen and restore the hydrolipidic barrier. This is science speak for; You + Payot = Kissability Level 9000.
*wells up* We actually can't find a single fault with Glossier's balm dotcom range. Literally. It makes us emotional. It even comes in six flavours; Original, Birthday, Rose, Cherry, Mint, and Coconut.
Their hydrating, multipurpose lip balm and skin salve is packed with antioxidants and natural emollients to nourish and repair dry, chafed skin.
Yup, you can use it on your lips and any external dry spots. God bless Glossier.
Absolute Lip Perfector is a multi-tasking lip treatment which combines serum and balm, and is infused with gorgeous peppermint, wild mint and honeycomb extract for the ultimate soft lips.
It also works as a powerful night-time anti-ageing treatment, with enhanced moisture which lasts ALL DAY and increased lip volume. Va Va Voom…
First introduced in South Korea in 2015, Laneige's master Lip Sleeping Mask has been given awards left, right and centre. But does it live up to the hype? HELLZ YEAH it does.
The gorgeous mask is applied at night, and by the time you awaken like a stunner Sleeping Beauty, you'll have supple, healthy smackers. Yas, it's incredible.
Ah Valentines Day – the one day of the year that smoochy PDAs are perfectly acceptable for the coupled-up, and singletons have free reign of the bars and clubs to celebrate their selective solitude in style.
However, if you're loved-up and looking for the ideal romantic bonanza to treat your bae to on the big day, then look no further.
One of Dublin's boujiest hotels, The Westbury, is boasting a romantic Valentine's package that is all things rom-com worthy.
The Westbury’s indulgent romance experience is the ideal retreat in the heart of the city, a stones throw from St Stephens Green (perfect for an after dinner romantic stroll?).
Their Romance at the Heart of Dublin package, is a luxury overnight stay at The Westbury where couples will be welcomed with a romantic rose petal turndown, bottle of chilled champagne, strawberries and delicious chocolates to indulge with. *swoon*
The following morning guests will enjoy a delicious full Irish Breakfast in bed – complete with potato cake and pudding, we checked.
The hotel is perfectly located by a stunning florists, Appassionata, where you can grab a fresh bouquet for your lover.
It's also just around the corner from The National Gallery if you're romantic an art fan, or take to Grafton Street if your true love is more fond of retail therapy than critiquing post-modernism.
The experience with The Westbury is available to book from €450 per room.
Bookings can be made through the hotel on 01 6463333/ westbury_reservations@doylecollection.com
Valentines Day is around the corner and if your knicker drawer is looking kinda tatty, fear not.
Lidl have swooped in to save the day with a stunning range of fabulous bras, pants and the rest.
Esmara Lingerie is perf for a treat for yourself to buying someone a pressie because how could resist their selection of luxurious lace and silk style pieces?
Not us.
Available in 159 stores nationwide from Thursday, January 31, thanks to Lidl, you can look smokin' but your bank account won't suffer for it.
Lace thongs, €3.99
These intricate lace and elegant silk style lingerie are seriously timeless in their shapes and colours.
Mixing and matching won't be a problem as the things, briefs and bras all come in different colours and styles.
Lace bra, €6. and lace briefs, €3.99
If you would rather something else than matching underwear why not opt for a lace bodice?
It's available in cream, black and a striking combination of black and white.
There is also a gorgeous silk style kimono that comes in black, pink, plum and silver – we LOVE it.
Silk style kimono, €9.99 Black lace bodice, €7.99
Lidl is also doing a stunning selection of Valentines flowers, on sale from Saturday February 9 – and we ADORE the roses.
Keep things classy with a single red rose for €3.99, go big with a dozen large headed roses for a tenner or splash out on the more extravagant blooms like the Deluxe exclusive rose bouquet priced at €29.99 the Deluxe 100 red roses for €34.99.
All this and more will be on shelves in 159 stores nationwide from Thursday January 31.
The Late Late Show are seeking out singles and couples for their renowned Valentine's Special, which returns to screens on Friday, February 8.
Do you have the greatest love of all? Ryan Tubridy is on the hunt for Ireland's most spine-tingly romantic love stories, and has asked the public for their help:
“We’re searching up and down the country for the most romantic tales of true love – and we want to hear from you," he said. Ooh La La… PLEASE Share your stories, tug on our heartstrings and help us find our other half.
We're talkin' single tear kind of tales, the ones that make you grab the tissues and text your mates saying, "Love really does exist after all, despite the fact I keep getting ghosted."
Maybe you’ve travelled the world but ended up falling head over heels with your next door neighbour, or maybe you’re celebrating a special wedding anniversary and would like to tell us where it all began – whatever your story is, we want to hear from you!”
You can also still be in the run to be an audience member on the night, they need eligible lads and lasses who aren't camera shy and are looking for their soulmate. Remember the incredible proposal from last year?
You can check out the process on their website here.
To apply, all you have to do is e-mail latelatespecials@rte.ie or post a letter to: Greatest Love of All, Late Late Show, PO Box 170, RTÉ, Dublin 4.
The Valentine's Special will air at 9:35pm on RTÉ One on Friday, February 8. We can't wait, it's always gas craic altogether.
Yep, Dealz have created the gift of… nothing… especially for us this year. How thoughtful.
If you intend on breaking up with your boyfriend/girlfriend/friend/co-worker/enemy/pet/frenemy/neighbour, this would do the trick. It's the perfect way of telling someone, "Hey, you really do mean absolutely nothing to me."
Who said romance is dead? Dealz have just revived the motherf*cker for us all to enjoy.
Some of may play that old game where we say we actually want nothing so that we look polite, selfless, even regal. But we all know it's BULLSH*T. WE WANT PRESENTS.
Whether it's one ring, or even seven like Ariana Grande, we're expecting something worthy of our time.
So while we may chuckle at Dealz' gift, if anyone ever got us this, there'd be hell to pay. Seriously.
For many of us, it's pretty much the usual shebang of perusing ice-cream flavours in Tesco, and wallowing on the couch while feeling guilty as a feminist for wallowing on Valentine's Day.
Ariana Grande is turning the single life into a trend, at least that's one comforting thing. Plus our pets give us more love than we even deserve.
Meanwhile, in Billionaire Boujee-land, Kylie Jenner is prepping for a new Kylie Cosmetics launch:
She appears to have gotten a red lady makeover, and we have to admit she's looking pure Poison Ivy-level glamour; serving Jessica Rabbit realness 24/7 just became her new niche.
We're assuming that this isn't Kylie's natural hair, seeing as the Kardashians can afford wigs, extensions, photoshop, stylists, fashion designers, celebrity hairdressers, etc.
Kylie's emanating Kim's Valentine's Day vibe form 2017, because the photographer responsible for this Kylie Cosmetics shoot also shot Kim's viral candy hearts campaign in 2018.
Image: Instagram/@kimkardashian
While Kim's hairdo is a lighter shade of pastel-coloured pink, Kylie has gone all-out pillarbox red.
Which do you prefer? We're feelin' Kylie's wavy, short hair because it's Moulin Rouge vibes to the max.
She'll be releasing the new collection on February 1, stay tuned.
Deciding what to do on Valentine's Day can be a major chore, especially for single ladies out there.
It can be a frustrating time of forging through millions of Facebook events, restaurant promotions specifically for two and condescending Whatsapp messages of pity from friends in relationships.
Why not break a world record while trying to find love? Something for the CV as well as a future cuddle buddy would be IDEAL, and the event raises money for two great causes as well.
An official Guinness World Record attempt will take place at the Custom House Quarter on Valentines Day 2019, and it looks absolutely unreal.
If you're single and ready to mingle, or just want to go along for the laugh (or have a competitive streak that can only be tamed by breaking records…) make sure to head to the CHQ speed dating event.
They need more than 655 attendees to beat the current record, and one of them can be you.
Maybe you're looking for a future life partner to walk down the aisle towards (seriously) or perhaps you're just bored this Valentine's Day like millions of us, round up your single friends and join the queue for a night to remember.
Tickets are €15 per person and include a drink on arrival (very much needed), snacks and entertainment on the night. If you show your ticket to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum within three months following the event, you get two-for-one entry. Second date alert?
Take home some hilarious stories, not to be told at family events, and maybe even some romance? Who knows what lies in store.
All proceeds from your tickets will be going to Movember Ireland and Breast Cancer Awareness too, so you'll feel extra wholesome after finding a match made in…well, not heaven but close enough.
Get your tickets on Eventbrite, and based on your answers when registering you will be split into categories based on orientation and age (over 18s lads) to match you with your perfect date.As perfect as basic algorithms can manage at least.
Dates per person last three minutes each, so you'll get the sparks of love or just a few snippets of nice conversation/small talk, either way it's a win-win.
Matching will be done on a little app, where you can keep track of everyone you meet throughout the night. Think socially acceptable cyber snooping, like Tinder with a tracker.
A link will be sent out to the app via email in January, and your profile can be created before the event.
The app basically acts as your wingwoman on the night; when you meet someone you can scan their QR codes and swipe right or left after the date based on if you're into them or would rather hide in a bin than ever see them once more.
If you both swipe right, you'll receive each other's contact details, and then LOVE WILL BLOSSOM. Hopefully. If you remember your phone charger.
For more information on the event where you'll find your future baby daddy, follow the link. Y'all are welcome, enjoy breaking records for a good cause.
When it comes to finding love in the modern era, technology has taken over as the avenue of choice for hopeful singletons.
Pop the term ‘dating site’ into Google and you are rewarded with over 65 million results (that’s a lot of singles) so to say we’re spoiled for choice is a blatant understatement.
From Tinder to Plenty of Fish to Match.com, there are literally hundreds of thousands of places to meet people online.
That’s not to say that people don’t meet each other organically anymore, say by bumping into each other at a bar or randomly meeting on the street, but with 59 percent of people thinking that online dating is a good way to meet people, and 27 percent of adults aged 18-24 currently using dating apps and websites according to The Pew Research Centre, it’s definitely a popular method of looking for love.
However, some people are becoming jaded with the current state of (love) affairs, and seek a more hands on, up-close-and-personal method of finding the one.
Matchmaking has been a long standing tradition in Irish culture, dating back to the 1500s. Many communities had their own professional matchmakers to make the pairings in the village or town.
While Ireland has moved on from those days, matchmaking is still a booming industry in the 21st century, at a time when convenience and technology is the name of the game, matchmaking companies provide a more personal investment opportunity in finding the one.
“As people get into their 30s, some of them lose their wingmen as people settle down, so we decided to become the wing men in a very safe environment,” says Feargal Harrington, who runs Intro Matchmakingwith his wife Rena, who have thousands of members on their books.
Rena and Feargal were match made themselves by Feargal’s brother, and Feargal says that if he and Rena had been shown each other’s online dating profiles, they probably would have been very reluctant to meet each other.
One match-made date turned into six-and-a-half-years of romance, and now they are making the same thing happen for up to 100 potential couples each week all over the country.
Matchmaking is different to other forms of dating, because the prospective daters know that the person they will meet is genuinely looking for love, unlike online dating where people’s motives can be questionable.
“They know that everyone is invested, physically, mentally and financially in actually meeting someone for a long term relationship or marriage. The people who joining Intro Matchmaking are sincere and they want something long term,“ he said.
The appeal of matchmaking seems to be the human element. There are no algorithms slotting people together based on corresponding traits, there is a real team of people in a room in Dublin figuring out who is best for you to meet with.
And with a success rate of 1 in 4, the odds of finding a long term bae through matchmaking seem to be in your favour.
While the success rates are high, some people scoff at the thought of matchmaking for fear of looking desperate.
“The people who go to matchmakers are confident people with their lives lined up, they know what they want out of life and now they want someone to compliment what they already have going for them, not fix them. People have to be truly ready.“
“There is nothing embarrassing about being proactive in wanting to meet someone. Matchmaking puts you in a pool of people where every other person has honourable intentions.”
Looking deeply into the wants, needs and intentions of those seeking a matchmaking service is something Jennifer Haskins, creator of Two's Company, specialises in.
With a background in psychology and counselling, the Dun Laoghaire resident uses her own life experience to make the perfect pairings.
"We pick up on things people don’t even know about themselves after doing this for so long," laughs Jennifer, who has almost 9 years experience in match making behind her, and utilises her past dating and relationship experience to benefit her clients.
"I had tried online dating, and speed dating and gone out to social events. I then signed up to an agency and I met someone, and I realised that this was a really good way to meet a partner. It was much more professional and I just felt very safe."
After starting Two's Company, the demand was so high that Jennifer's phone was ringing constantly, as people who were jaded with the current dating scene sought her services for a more humanistic experience.
"What’s happening today is the young people, they’re going out and because they have the likes of tinder and all these online apps they just don’t seem to communicate anymore, they just stay in their own groups."
"I don’t think they’re making the effort, whereas years ago if you think about it these things weren’t available so people had to communicate they had to and they wanted to. That’s not happening now."
While Jennifer firmly believes (and has the testimonials from her clients to prove) that romance isn't dead, she does think that young people are going about finding love the wrong way.
"There is no courting, no 'lets talk', no 'lets get to know each other', no 'lets find out if there is anything more than the physical,' its purely surface."
And while women may complain that men never approach them or that guys just are not forward enough, expert Jennifer does feel that there are reasons for this.
"If a guy approaches a group of girls, he runs the risk of rejection not only from the girl that he’s interested in, but also from her friends."
"I can understand when guys say how hard it is, because it must be and it’s not easy to walk into a group of girls and say hi because people can be cruel."
"They can be very off hand and they can kind of give him the brush off, and then the guy has to walk away with his tail between his legs and back to the group of lads who have just witnessed this, and then he’s going to be slagged."
We all make judgements about people before we even know them, be that online through their social media or out at a bar with the girls, and this could be what is holding so many people back from finding the one.
"Pre-judging is something I encourage people in my business not to do, because you do not know what that person is going to be like until you turn up to that date and meet them face to face."
"You have no idea. You need to park the judgement and just wait and say no, I’m going to wait until I get to know them a bit better," says Jennifer.
Jennifer cites the added pressures of modern life as another element which comes between people finding romance.
"The stakes have been raised and the sense of being driven to achieve, people are staying in college longer, so then when they do get the job that they wanted it’s time to climb the ladder there."
Then, after years of focusing on nights out and climbing the career ladder, people wake up one day and realise that the want kids and marriage, and it hits them like a thunderbolt.
"They are amazing, attractive women and I’m surprised men aren’t beating the door down to get to them, but that’s just not where their focus is."
The focus on authenticity is what sets agencies like Two's Company and Intro apart from the other forms of dating available.
There are no secret partners, no suspicious motives and no hidden agendas, everyone is signing up with the same intentions, which is why it's such a shame that people would give up on love before exploring all their options.
"I think a lot of people have (given up on love) and it’s an awful waste because there are so many people out there that really want a relationship, and I suppose that the difference between what we do at Two’s Company and the likes of Tinder and all the rest, because on the sites there would be a lot of hook ups and one night stands, and were all aware that with the dating agencies there is a very high level of buy in."
"You have a buy-in on a financial level but also on a physical and emotional level, as you have to be transparent and say this is me, this is what I’m looking for.
"They have to be transparent and prove that they are who they say they are, they have to sign a contract to say that the information they have given us is honest and correct and that’s a big ask, so I find when people come to an agency there is that level of authenticity and honesty."
Because after all, why would someone pay hundreds of euro to lie about their agenda to a matchmaking service, when they can do it on the internet for free?
The only agenda behind match making agencies is to help people find someone to spend their life with.
Jennifer reminisces on the correspondences she keeps up with happy couples who she has personally paired at Two's Company, and it is clear from the smile on her face that the news of engagements, marriages and babies from these couples gives her a true sense of delight.
"Everybody you meet you just want to look after them and you want it to work out, and you know that you don’t have total control, you’re not god, and you can’t play god, all you can do is just hope that it works."
Valentine's Day is mere hours away, but if you're anything like us you've left everything to the last minute.
Perhaps it's the fact that Wednesday isn't exactly the ideal day for the romantic holiday to fall on, or maybe you'd rather not buy into gimmick of it all – but even if flowers and chocolates aren't your thing, it's still a good excuse for you and your partner to indulge in a well-deserved date night.
We've done some research and compiled a list of the of the country's most romantic restaurants, any of which would provide the perfect setting for a last-minute Valentine's dinner.
