Love was in the cards for one of Waterford's most eligible bachelors

Love was in the cards for one of the Déise’s most eligible bachelors on Thursday night’s episode of First Dates on RTE2.

Eighty-six-year-old clairvoyant, poet, writer and broadcaster Stan Philips from Waterford was paired with 80-year-old writer Lorraine Dormer, from Tullamore, Offaly.

Stan is a recent widower, having lost his partner, Bernadette, in 2023.

“Real love is rare. It's wonderful.

"I've had it a couple of times in my life and I'm hoping that I will have it again," said Stan.

Lorraine was the no-nonsense returning dater, having been on the show in 2020.

But this time, she knew what she wanted, a simple and mature love.

“If I wanted to work as a baggage handler, I’d work for Ryanair,” said Lorraine.

The pair of “free spirits” hit it off straight away.

Over dinner, Lorraine told Stan about her career in politics, and Stan seemed to connect with her rebellious nature.

“I love oddballs. I think I tried to be normal once. It was the worst 10 minutes of my life,” he quipped.

And Stan told Lorraine about the closure of his business, moving to Ireland in the 90s and meeting his late wife Bernadette, who he called “the love of a thousand lifetimes.” Both said they loved music, poetry and people-watching.

“If you can’t laugh at other people, who can you laugh at,” said Stan.

And as it happened, their first day fell on Stan’s birthday but according to Stan, it will be Lorraine’s year.

Reading her future, he told her: “At 80-odd you will have a new challenge ahead of you, one you will want."

He also advised her to avoid arguments that “go nowhere" and those wise words those turned out to be.

At the end of the show, it was revealed that the pair are celebrating Lorraine’s birthday in Spain and are releasing a book together for charity.

The episode is available to view online on the RTE player.