First Dates Ireland is going to air the show’s first ever sign language date

It's a first for both the UK and Irish versions of the show.

Tonight's episode of First Dates Ireland will feature a date conducted entirely in sign language. Deaf daters had previously appeared in the UK version of the show, however, their dates had not been conducted completely in sign language.This episode also marks the first time the that a deaf dater has appeared on First Dates Ireland. One of the couples heading into the First Dates restaurant tonight is Offaly design student John Charles, who is a member of the deaf community, and Dubliner Stephen, who is fluent in sign language. When the couple come face-to-face at the First Dates bar, it's revealed that they've actually met before - and instantly begin communicating using sign language. The date soon reveals some of the difficulties that deaf people may face while looking for love. John Charles tells Stephen how when he goes on a date with a hearing person who doesn't sign, they end up having to use a cell phone to communicate, sending text messages back and forth. He adds:

“It’s really frustrating when people talk into my ear. “I have to say ‘I’m Deaf!’ and then they just talk louder. I try explaining that talking louder doesn’t make a difference and it’s easier just to text.”

Stephen explained to viewers that he had decided to pursue deaf studies at college after he had some difficulties with his communication skills when he was younger. He said:

“Growing up I had a really severe speech impediment to the point where I couldn’t even fully pronounce my own name properly. "I knew exactly what I wanted to say, I’d talk all the time but people couldn’t understand me. "It meant that I was really interested in, if one way of communication wasn’t working for you that you could just choose an alternative."

First Dates Ireland airs on RTÉ2 tonight at 9.30pm.