Laois 'cocktail maestro' returns in new Blind Dates series on RTÉ

Durrow native Neil Kenna is back behind the bar on TV for a new series of Blind Dates in RTÉ2.

Neil returns for his second stint serving the drinks to guests arriving at the restaurant in the hope of meeting the potential love of their lives.

Neil knows all to well how his guests will be feeling as he serves them their date tipple since he was a dater on the show before he got the gig behind the bar.

But instead of finding him a match, the production team thought he would better suited serving drinks.

"I just went for it for the craic and I didn't think I'd get any further to be honest," he told Ray D'Arcy on RTÉ about his own Blind Date's experience after landing the barman's job in the hit show.

The 37-year-old explained that he had to send in an audition tape for the job.

"They just asked me to send in a video of me making a cocktail and my friend recorded it for me and I sent it on through and that was it.

"I didn't even make a cocktail, I just randomly put some stuff into a cocktail shaker and just started shaking.

"There were a series of questions I had to answer while making the cocktail," he said.

He told Ray how working as a barman can put pressure finding love.

"The hours are very different and if you're not with somebody that works within the industry well then it's very hard for them to understand when you come home at three or four in the morning. It does put a strain on it as well," he said.

RTÉ decribe Neil as their 'cocktail maestro' who'll be hand, as always, with warm welcomes, words of encouragement and matchmaking savoir faire with Maitre’D Mateo, table angels Alice and Pete when the first episode of season 8 of First Dates Ireland screens on RTÉ 2.

MORE BELOW TWEET.

New series alert! We’re kicking things off double-trouble style! ‍♀️

Brand new #FirstDatesIRL starts Thursday 9:30pm pic.twitter.com/xIpLBFwbgL

— RTÉ2 (@RTE2) January 4, 2023

Bursting through the door for the first episode in the new series are best friends and irrepressible personalities Aisling (25) and Naomi (26) ready for an unforgettable double date.

Self-confessed ‘girlo’ Aisling is matched with insurance underwriter Ross (30) from Dublin who can’t believe his luck.  While a few tables away, dancing queen Naomi unleashes her best moves on marketing executive Brodie (32) who grew up on a sheep farm in New Zealand.

Operation Transformation reveals final leader ahead of tonight's new series based in Laois

Meanwhile, old school romantic and multi-instrumentalist Garry (73) from Wexford makes sweet music with line dancer and marathon runner Mary (71) from Galway.

Newly crowned world darts champion Michael Smith comes to Laois

And it’s revs to the redline as professional auto detailer Colm (28) from Dublin accelerates from a standing start with petrolhead and ‘classy car girl’ Sorcha (25) from Donegal.

Doors open for a new season of First Dates at 9.30pm on Thursday, January 5. Your table awaits!