Laois witchcraft fan hopes for magic on First Dates Ireland

A Laois jewellery designer with an interest in witchcraft will be hoping for magic in the First Dates Ireland restaurant next week.

Rebecca Routledge, 25, from Borris-in-Ossory appeared at the end of the first episode on RTÉ 2 on Thursday night, January 5, showing her shock when her date told her he "keeps a bucket and gloves in his boot" and asked her if she likes skulls.

"I'm a very open person. I'm into crystals and I'm interested in witchcraft and spirituality, and having a bit of a laugh. But he didn't get the whole crystal thing. That moment with the bucket was a real cliffhanger," she said.

While sworn to secrecy about whether she found love until the show airs, Rebecca told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that it was a positive experience.

"I'd never even been on a blind date before. It was my first time applying to the show, a friend was doing it so I said I'd do it for the craic. It was really enjoyable," she said.

Series 8 of First Dates Ireland returned to our screens on January 5.

On hand, as always, with warm welcomes, words of encouragement and matchmaking savoir faire are Maitre’D Mateo, table angels Alice and Pete, and cocktail maestro, Laois man Neil Kenna from Durrow (below right).

Rebecca went to secondary school in St Fergal's Rathdowney, and graduated from IADT in 3D Design, Model Making and Digital Art.

She works in Aldi, Portlaoise, but her real passion is creating silver jewellery with her own website called sugartripdesign.

"I make sterling silver ankle jewellery, I have my own workshop at home where I make custom orders. I wore all my own jewellery on the date," said Rebecca.

She recommends applying for First Dates Ireland to others.

"It's a once in a lifetime experience. You get to meet someone new that you probably wouldn't be matched with in real life. Everybody there was amazing and so nice, they chatted with me the whole time. It was really enjoyable," Rebecca said.

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She'll be on the couch at home like everyone else next Wednesday, January 12 at 9.30pm to watch herself on the television, with her aunt Annmarie beside her for support.

"I don't know how well I'll cope watching it!  Being on camera was very new to me, it was in the back of my mind the whole time, it was a bit nervewracking."