With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, singles across Ireland are turning to their phones in the search for love. To find out which counties are most actively looking for romance, Virgin Media Ireland, Ireland’s leading telecommunications and entertainment provider, analysed Google search data from February 2023 to 2025 to reveal which counties are most actively on the lookout for love.
Dublin leads the way as Ireland’s online dating capital, recording over 16,000 dating-related searches during February across the past three years. This works out at 1,124 searches per 100,000 people, the highest in the country. With fast-paced lifestyles, busy work schedules, and plenty of social spots, many Dubliners are turning to online dating as an easy way to meet potential partners.
Carlow ranks second, with 1,001 dating-related searches per 100,000 people across February over the past three years. Valentine’s Day is a popular time for singles in the county to get back on dating apps, particularly as February consistently sees a spike in online dating related searches. With its busy nightlife and walkable town centre, Carlow makes it easy for online matches to move quickly from messages to real-life meet-ups.
Waterford takes third place, recording 793 searches per 100,000 people. As Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford has centuries of romantic history behind it, from Viking love stories to modern-day Valentine’s dates along the coast. The mix of city buzz and seaside settings makes it a popular spot for those hoping their online match might turn into something more.
Longford ranks fourth, with 770 per 100,000 people. In a county where everyone tends to know everyone, Valentine’s season sees many singles widening the net through dating apps. Online matches offer a bit of mystery, making first dates feel that little bit more exciting in a place where familiar faces are the norm.
Rounding out the top five is Leitrim, which logged 767 dating-related searches per 100,000 people. As Ireland’s least populated county, Leitrim shows how online dating is changing Valentine’s Day for rural singles. Apps allow people to meet beyond county lines, turning quiet February evenings into the start of long-distance love stories, weekend trips, or surprise Valentine’s plans.
For more information visit: https://www.virginmedia.ie/play/irelandsbiggestonlinedaters/
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