Much of the nation is watching Blind Date – the response is epic

Sunday, October 8: the day that Blind Date Orish-style debuted.

Yup, with a certain Al Porter at the helm, the dating show kicked off in style. https://twitter.com/TV3Ireland/status/917102296449802240 Apparently, the show had been inundated with applications - both for contestants and audience members - and certainly the Sunday evening's airing was full of animation. https://twitter.com/Davydoesdublin/status/917119356668178432 The Helix in Dublin played host to the show: the very first couple of pair up was Dionne and David - with Dionne looking stunning in a full-length, sparkling gown, and David keeping it casual in a white long-sleeved tee and jeans. https://twitter.com/MckeonAoife/status/917125565672501248 We also met Hayley and Daniel - who had jetted off to Lisbon during the summer. Although the duo have yet to squeeze in a second date, Hayley promised Daniel that she'd make time to see  him again. https://twitter.com/CoHesl/status/917125399481585664 The second batch of hopefuls include Niamh from Kildare, Jennifer; a former Miss Navan, from Meath; Ciara, a waitress from Blanchardstown in Dublin. https://twitter.com/JustStickers1/status/917126572334833664 Vying for their attention was Gary, 27, from Tallaght. Still living with mammy - Gary goes to the gym six or seven times a week. Indeed, he showed off his strength by lifting host Al into the air. In the end, he couldn't resist No.2 - Co. Meath's Jen. And the pair were sent to Barcelona for a romantic trip. https://twitter.com/Tweetinggoddess/status/917127028914184192 Aisling is a mum-of-four and is from Newbridge. Ray hails from Tallaght, is a life coach, and is a dad-of-three. They had the pleasure of going to Tayto Park on their date. https://twitter.com/CarolineForan/status/917130336739446786 They had a picnic on the grass and seemed to get on great... although Aisling wasn't overly impressed with how romantic the day was. https://twitter.com/frillyflossy/status/917131601116647424 Indeed, she reckoned Ray was a little bit OTT and ultimately "not for her". https://twitter.com/fergmcfadden/status/917131240666525696 Otherwise, Twitter is predictably alight with commentary on the airing - with plenty of viewers happy to chip in their tuppence worth. https://twitter.com/foxymm12/status/917119162975182848 And while the show has already been filmed (over the summer), Blind Date was broadcast from a Tallaght location for Al Porter.