Love Island-style Irish language show is looking for singletons to take part

It promises to be the Gaeltacht like "you’ve never seen it before".

A new Love Island-esque Irish language programme is on the hunt for singletons who want to take part. Macalla Teoranta and Virgin Media Television are seeking out people from across Ireland and Northern Ireland to compete in Grá ar an Trá, which will follow twelve singletons as they "couple up, try to find love and learn the language". This is with the ultimate aim of being crowned "couple with the most focail". "The rules of Grá ar an Trá are very simple: we have six single women and six single men all looking for love," a statement for the series reads.

"Our lánúineacha (Couples) are matched carefully in advance based on likes, personality, etc., by our experienced casting team. Crucially, they are matched on their fluency: those líofa sa Gaeilge are paired with those who are not. "Each week over five weeks, they undertake challenges to improve their Gaeilge as a couple. Those who make the most improvement survive another week."

Keeping a sharp eye on the couples to make sure they are practising and progressing will be ‘an breitheamh' ('the judge'). "Through entertaining challenges and practical tasks in Irish, our couples will compete against each other. Improving their fluency with the overriding goal to win the Couple Crown," the statement continues.

"Of course, as they get to grips with the language, will romance also blossom between them? "Bring your best chat up lines and you could walk away with the Grand Prize worth around €10,000 AND the girl/guy of your dreams."

The show is looking for men and women that are fluent in Irish or have a cúpla focal. They should be aged between 18 and 30, as well as single and interested in trying "a different dating scene this summer". Filming for the programme will begin in May and contestants will live together in a house with fixed rig cameras to capture all the action. You can apply for Grá ar an Trá by following this link or emailing graarantra@gmail.com for more details.