Laois barman returns to First Dates
Neil Kenna (left) on the First Dates set with maitre d' Mateo Saina and waiters Alice Marr and Pete Ungless
A CHEERFUL Laois bachelor has regained his rightful place behind the bar as the new series of gets underway.
Neil Kenna from Durrow, a familiar face on the popular RTÉ2 TV series since 2022, is showcasing his intoxicating blend of moustache, banter and cocktails on the weekly show’s 10th season, which began on Thursday 9 January.
From Erkindale Drive in the heart of Durrow, Neil has won many hearts since he replaced previous barman Ethan Miles on the show three years ago.
Formerly manager at ELY Wine Bar and Brasserie in central Dublin, Neil is general manager at The Dunmore restaurant in Rathmines and has over 22 years’ experience in the bar trade. It’s an ideal CV for his main role on the show, as he helps nervous first daters to relax with the help of expertly mixed concoctions and conversation.
Filming of the entire season is completed in just five long, exhausting but exhilarating days at The Gibson Hotel in Dublin, leaving him free to focus on his busy day job for the rest of the year. The full 10th season is in the can and airs every Thursday at 9.30pm.
Still an eligible youngish singleton, Neil’s first close encounter with came in 2020, when he auditioned to appear as a first dater due to boredom during the Covid lockdown. Instead, he landed the position of long-term bartender, which has proved to be a marriage made in heaven.
He loves the easy-going format of the programme, saying: “It’s genuine people coming on and Irish people are very chatty. Most people aren’t afraid to open up so when they come on, the majority of them are 110% themselves and they are there for the experience.”
His sage advice on relationships, whether on or off the airwaves, is: “Be yourself. Always go in with an open heart. Give a bit of trust at the start and don't let your previous relationships cloud the next relationship.”
As for his own single status, he says: “I’m getting lots of dates but I get more situationships than I do dates now at this stage. Who knows - maybe all that will change in 2025!”
