Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
One of the best things about online dating is that people from all over the world can give it a try. A 2015 study conducted by the Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy revealed that one in 10 people who lived in Ireland were registered on Tinder, an app primarily known for short-term relationships and hookups.
While online dating apps — and other sites for long-term relationships — were once met with skepticism by people in Ireland, that stigma has only decreased year after year. That’s especially since the media (and stories from trusted friends) have proven that dating sites can legitimately work. Curious about which online dating sites work best for people in Ireland? Here are the most popular options for Irish singles today.
1. eharmony
★★★★★
Relationships: Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
Match System: Personality test suggests matches
Our Experts Say: “Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony’s compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today’s Deal
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
4.1 Million* | View Profiles FREE |
The dating site eharmony isn’t just popular in the United States — it’s also well known in Ireland. The site is quick to note that dating can be especially difficult for singles today — especially when also factoring in the high cost of living in Ireland.
“An Ireland dating site is a good way to find new singles in your area you wouldn’t typically encounter in your day-to-day life,” eharmony states. “It also lets you date from anywhere for free, so you can economize on time. And the best part is everyone on free dating sites in Ireland is open to some form of romance.”
The platform’s focus on building real relationships is one of the many reasons why it’s so attractive to Irish singles. It also happens to be completely free to set up a profile and take the personality quiz. The user-friendly features make it easy for those who may not be as technologically inclined to start making connections. The site depends on its compatibility matching system to spark love stories, and its formula is based on psychological principles of relationships.
2. EliteSingles
★★★★★
Relationships: Serious Relationships
Match System: Search, Receive Partner Suggestions
Our Experts Say: “EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today’s Deal
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| All Singles* |
44%*
56%*
|
2 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
Elite Singles attracts single professionals who may have pushed aside their romance goals in favor of their career goals at one point in time. It’s a great site for people who live in Ireland and are serious about making a long-term love connection. Elite Singles is part of the Spark Network, which is one of the leading dating networks in Europe.
The dating website forms smart matches based on intellectual compatibility and personal preferences. As for the dating pool, over 75% of singles on the site have a bachelor’s degree at the very least. “We aim to deliver a smooth browsing experience that ensures you can easily find Irish singles with whom you share real chemistry,” boasts the site. Elite Singles also aims to make the dating process easier overall by sending match recommendations for eligible partners each day, meaning you don’t even need to actively search the database to meet someone new.
★★★★★
Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dates, Affairs
Match System: Search by age, location, appearance, and more
Our Experts Say: “With its massive user base and advanced privacy features, Ashley Madison is the #1 site for discreet hookups, dates, or relationships…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today’s Deal
|
| All Singles & Attached* |
71%*
29%*
|
65 Million* | Start Now for FREE |
While Ashley Madison has a reputation for supporting affair partners in the dating scene, but that’s not all it has to offer. The casual dating service is also a great way to find discreet romance or add a third to an existing relationship. Dating is not a one-size-fits-all situation, and it’s true that many Irish residents are looking for companionship without commitment.
Browsing Ashley Madison is especially worthwhile for women, who can browse and chat for free. The website originated in 2001 and is the first dating website to welcome married people. It’s been a helpful resource for polyamorous couples and individuals looking for secret relationships or unconventional connections. To quote the motto of the Ashley Madison team, “Life is short. Have an affair.”
★★★★★
Relationships: Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System: Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion
Our Experts Say: “SilverSingles is a fast-growing, easy-to-use niche dating site exclusively for active daters over the age of 50…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today’s Deal
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| Mature Singles (50+)* |
41%*
59%*
|
800,000* | Sign up for FREE |
As part of the Europe-based Spark Network, SilverSingles has robust tools to help senior people make long-lasting connections. The dating platform caters to older daters over the age of 50. New members will be greeted with a personality test to help reinforce the platform’s values-driven matching.
Much like Elite Singles, SilverSingles will send its users a handful of expertly chosen matches per day. That means users can easily scroll through already-selected profiles while sipping on their morning coffee. For mature users in Ireland, it’s a great way to step back into the dating pool after years or decades of being paired up with someone else. One of the positive aspects of SilverSingles is the fact that most users are in the same stage of life and can relate to each other’s experiences, values, and priorities.
5. Flirt.com
★★★★★
Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dating, Chats
Match System: Search by age, location, gender, orientation, and other factors
Our Experts Say: “Flirt.com frees singles to chat with attractive locals and pick up dates on the spot. This hookup site is always open to horny and sexy people seeking one-night stands, casual dating, threesomes, and other sexual encounters…”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today’s Deal
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
1 million* | Browse Profiles Free |
Unlike some of the other sites on the list, Flirt.com originated in the United Kingdom, making it especially good for Irish singles. The casual dating site is easy to use and accessible 24/7 whether you sign up using a laptop or your phone.
Flirt.com is a top site for international dating, interracial dating, and dating within the LGBTQ community, meaning that you’re bound to find a variety of diverse singles while using the site. As with many other dating sites, you can get a free account on Flirt.com, but you’ll have to pay for extra features that may make the dating process easier and more fun.
6. OkCupid
OkCupid is a great online dating platform for singles of all kinds. The app strives to make matches based on mutual compatibility and uses an abundance of survey questions to narrow down a user’s selection of candidates. It’s not afraid to ask big questions if it ensures a better match for its users. According to its internal statistics, OkCupid makes over 91 million connections every year, and is responsible for setting up about 50,000 dates per week.
Created by Harvard graduates, OkCupid has always been a data-driven platform. It was also the first dating site to roll out an app to help daters pursue matches and conversation anywhere they go. OkCupid doesn’t put mile-radius restrictions on users, and it’s possible for an Irish person to use the platform to chat with European singles, American singles, and other singles around the world.
7. Bumble
Last but not least, Irish singles should consider downloading Bumble, which has been growing in popularity for years — especially in Ireland. The company ran a user analysis that found its membership base included a slew of new Irish singles looking for a relationship. Overall, Bumble saw over 1 billion matches and nearly 7 billion messages sent via the app during 2020.
Oddly enough, the online app has also attracted plenty of fans of the zodiac. The team says, “In Ireland, people who added their star sign to their profile last month saw a 66% increase in average number of matches than those who did not.” So Bumble isn’t just good for Irish people — it’s good for Irish Libras hoping to find Irish Leos.
FAQs: Is Match a Good Dating Website for Irish Singles?
Match launched in 1995 as the first popular dating service to offer online matchmaking. Though it began in Texas, it has since expanded to 50 countries, including Ireland.
Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
Our Experts Say: “As the largest and most diverse dating site in the world, Match features profiles of millions of local singles and a popular app. If you only try one dating service, make it Match…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
39.7 Million* | Get 3 Days FREE |
Match is an excellent choice for Irish singles. While it may be more well-known in the United States and Canada, Match still has a sizable number of users from Ireland (and all around the world) who have active profiles. If you’re Irish but currently living in the United States and are looking for a diverse match, don’t worry — you’ll have plenty of profiles to peruse.
What Are the Best Dating Sites for Gay Men in Ireland?
While many popular websites are LGBTQ-friendly, there are a few specific sites that are especially good choices for gay men in Ireland. Grindr is a popular gay dating app that naturally comes to mind. The swiping app is known for facilitating local matches that often lead to hookups.
If you want to keep things really casual, MenNation is a hookup site for men only. MenNation has a huge following and touts itself as the largest gay hookup site in the world. The website allows posting nude photos and erotic content, plus it has a video streaming section where men leave little to the imagination.
Relationships: Daters & Hookups
Match System: Search by age, zip code, more
Our Experts Say: “MenNation is a well-established gay dating and hookup brand, having been founded in 1996. It’s totally free to join, view profiles, receive matches, and flirt…”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today’s Deal
|
| Singles & Couples* |
95%*
5%*
|
780,000* | Start for Free |
SCRUFF is another gay dating app commonly used by gay, bisexual, and queer men. The app has been steadily gaining popularity, with over 20 million profiles and counting. Irish men can download SCRUFF and use the local matching or travel feature to connect with potential dates all over the world.
It’s important to note that none of these apps and sites perform background checks, so you’ll want to be extra careful in how you share your information and vet new matches.
Is There an Irish Dating App?
Single people living in Ireland should consider downloading Swanned, which was created specifically for British and Irish expats. The app offers a helpful solution for people who’ve moved overseas and want to find a community or companion with a similar background. Swanned is populated by people who understand the struggle of being far away from friends and family. Even if you don’t find true love, you may find a wonderful social network and new friends for life.
Irish People Can Find Romance & Love Online
Online dating is very much an international affair, and many popular dating sites and apps have a robust following in European countries like Ireland. The Irish dating sites on this list have millions of members and countless success stories to back their matchmaking features.
It doesn’t cost anything to download a dating app or create a profile on a dating website, so it’s worth a shot to see who’s out there. Even if you don’t immediately find love, online dating can be a great way to be more social and find like-minded communities you may not have connected with otherwise.
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