Social media reacts to Kilkenny barber and his brother on latest episode of First Dates Ireland

Kilkenny-based barber Gary Lyons and his brother Anthony (both from Thurles) had a mixed night as they doubled up for dates on the latest episode of First Dates Ireland.

Gary, also known as 'MC Daycent' is a social media personality and well-known barber here in Kilkenny and this was his second appearance on the show, while aircraft engineer Anthony decided to be his 'wingman' this time around as the two were introduced.

Interviewed before meeting the dates, Gary described their dating lives together in terms of a noteworthy former Hollywood duo, saying younger brother Anthony was like Arnie, and he was Danny DeVito!

Gary did most of the early talking and described how they have a low emotional family dynamic but that they "back each other" all the time regardless.

The first lady in the door to date one of the brothers was Australian Angie who described her ideal man as a mix between Keanu Reeves and Jack Black!

Upon being introduced to the awaiting brothers at the bar, she told them that she was 35 years old and Gary said, "You look amazing for 35"!

As it transpired, Angie would be Anthony's date and the pair were taken to their table as Gary was left to wait a bit longer for his lady to arrive.

Shortly after, Gary soon met his match as the self-professed "chaotic energy" of Oriel from Kildare who arrived at the door, and the pair looked like the perfect match at first glance.

Having lived abroad in places like Australia and New Zealand and has travelled extensively, addiction counsellor Oriel was still looking for her match and described her time on the move as "a wild time".

Oriel certainly had the measure of Gary who revealed that he is seldom approached to be chatted up and he thinks it is because of his personality. 

"No one ever comes to chat me up, I don't know. I think it's because I give off far too much energy," he said.

But that wasn't a problem for Oriel who said she never fit in when she was younger because she was "too wild for everybody", and revealed that she used to travel Ireland as a fire-breathing snake charmer years ago!

Gary went on to discuss Oriel's career as an addiction counsellor and revealed that he had issues with cocaine in his younger days and that he hadn't used it in over a year. 

"It's mad what you'll do when you're younger to fit in," he said to the Kildare woman.

The pair were having great craic together at this stage and as the date began to wind down they both described off camera that they were looking for someone who could be their "best pal" and be "unapologetically themselves with someone else."

"I did feel a bit of a spark, yeah," Gary said while Oriel felt the same and described the Kilkenny-based social media man as "gorgeous" and they pair immediately said they'd love to meet again romantically.

People on social media seemed very entertained by the energy of the two brothers (see below):

Some characters the 2 Brothers Lol #FirstDatesIRL

— Darren Lufc (@United_Leeds1) February 2, 2024

These 2 brothers are gas! I hope they get 2 matches! #firstdatesirl

— Gillian Murphy (@Gill_Murphy) February 1, 2024

Gary and Anthony both panicking over who's Angie's date #FirstDatesirl

— Alan (@Sam1AmNot) February 1, 2024

Despite the pair hitting off with their respective dates, and agreeing to see each other again romantically, they didn't last the test of time.