Ireland’s answer to Love Island is coming and we couldn’t be more excited.
We caught up with our Bean an Tí, Síomha Ní Ruairc, who teased what we can expect from the upcoming show.
But now we’re getting to meet our contestants.
So who will be heading down to An Ghaeltacht in the coming weeks?
Andrew Jackson
Monaghan native, Andrew Jackson, is the first contestant to appear on the show.
Speaking about joining the show, the 27-year-old revealed: “I’m looking to making 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 Grá…all the better.”
He’ll have no problem with his cúpla focal as he works as an Irish translator!
Eireann Ní Chuilleagáin
Next we have the lovely, Eireann!
The Dublin native has upped sticks to Brussells, but she wants to find a nice Irish lad to settle down with!
As for what she’s looking for in a partner, she said: “Someone who is in tune with themselves and their culture and sees the bigger picture! Integrity is super attractive.”
Dónal Breathnach
30-year-old Dónal is looking for grá!
The Waterford lad works as a manager in a medical company and is excited to swap that for the Gaeltacht for the summer.
“I’m looking for someone genuine, kind, good craic and has a positive outlook on life. A great taste in music wouldn’t go astray either!” he revealed.
Michelle McGrath
Carlow native, Michelle McGrath will be bringing the passion to Grá ar an Trá.
The 28-year-old HR manager won’t just be looking for love, she’ll also be learning her cúpla focal as a foghlaimeoir.
Speaking of joining the show, Michelle said: “Every girl deserves someone who treats her well and puts in the effort to do nice things for her. I feel like I’ve been through it all and I know what I deserve. I can spot a game player a mile away so I’m not here to put up with that.”
Ciara McMenamy
Dublin girl, Ciara McMenamy, is also working on her Irish in the show as she searches for her perfect match.
The 29-year-old is swapping her job as a pharmacy technician for the gorgeous Irish countryside.
“I’m looking to push myself out of my comfort zone…to learn what really should be my first language and to hopefully find Grá!” she revealed.
Femi Bankole
Dundalk will be represented in the reality show by 29-year-old Femi Bankole.
And it’s not just love that has the IT Risk Manager joining the show.
“I’m looking at reigniting my passion for the teanga, maybe with a slice of grá,” he said about joining the show, before adding that he is looking for “someone to match my chaos.”
Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin
Limerick native, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin will put his best foot forward on the dating show.
“I’m looking for a bit of craic, to share my passion for Gaeilge and who knows, I might even find love along the way,” the 24-year-old says.
Will he find love on the show?
Laura Pakenham
21-year-old Laura Pakenham will be bringing the heat to the Gaeltacht!
“I’m looking for someone kind and caring who makes me giddy,” she says of her perfect partner.
Will the college student be able to find that?
Loman Jinks
“There is no man like Loman,” the Galway native says as she joins the show.
He’ll be balancing learning Irish with looking for love.
“What I want in a girl is someone who is sound and a bit of craic…if she could reverse a trailer, it would be a bonus,” the apprentice electrician jokes.
Megan O’Regan Byrne
Radio DJ is swapping her booth for the Gaeltacht for the reality show.
And she will definitely be bringing the energy to the show!
I’m very much sick of situationships…I’m looking for something more serious and mature. 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 grá for years, for but I need a good teacher and I guess Grá ar an Trá is the answer,” she says.
Grá ar an Trá sees Gráinne Seoige, James Kavanagh and Síomha Ní Ruairc run the rule over 10 singletons as they head to the Gaeltacht, brushing up on their cúpla focal while also looking for love.
Their ultimate aim? To be crowned the ‘couple with the most focail’ and walk away with a grand prize to the value of €10,000. Contestants will split their time between flirting and the foclóir, idir grá agus Gaeilge.
Catch the first episode Grá ar an Trá at 9pm Monday 25th September on Virgin Media One
