Sass Gaeilge
New Irish language date show is a bit naughty... but it’s no Love Island, says host Grainne
BY SIOBHAN O’CONNOR
GRAINNE SEOIGE reckons Ireland’s first dating show as Gaeilge will make the Irish language sexier – but she insisted it’s no Love Island.
Virgin Media reality show Grá Ar An Trá, which translates as Love On The Beach, has been billed as ‘the Gaeltacht like you’ve never seen it before’.
The five-part series sees 10 singletons put through their paces to learn Irish, find love and compete to be crowned the ‘couple with the most focail’.
Show host Grainne, 49, told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “I genuinely don’t believe the production team ever saw Grá Ar An Trá as an Irish version of Love Island.
“The show has a different premise and different priorities, and it was always going to attract a different type of entrant.
“Having said that, the couples are gorgeous young Irish people and they are impressive. It is a very Irish show.”
A trailer shows the contestants arriving at a country mansion complete with hot tub – but Grainne stressed it was nothing like the Love Island villa.
She said: “We are happy we have a broad representation of young Irish people... I think people will see that they are from all over, have a wide range of interests, and took part in the show with the right attitude and a willingness to have fun and learn.”
Grainne, who started her career on TG4 in 1996, said the show might “possibly” make the Irish language sexy.
The Galway native added: “I think those who have Gaeilge know well how much fun it is. “I think this series will reach those who might be wondering about the language and those few remaining people who don’t realise it is a language spoken by young people.”
She joins rising TV star Siomha Ni Ruairc and influencer James Kavanagh who will act as Bean an Ti and Man on Ti to front the programme.
Asked if she felt like their mentor, the mum-of-one replied: “Not at all.
“James and Siomha are very accomplished professionals in their own right... We all have our strengths and I think we all learned from each other as well as having brilliant craic.”
Grá Ar An Trá starts Monday at 9pm on Virgin Media One.
The couples are gorgeous young Irish people and they are impressive