First Date Ideas For Over 70s

First date on the horizon and not a notion where to go? Not to worry. Nobody expects you to book a weekend in Paris. The best dates at our age are the ones where you can hear each other, sit down when the knees protest, and be home in time for the news. Here are six ideas that work as well in Donegal as they do in Cork.

1. A Long Lunch

Lunch beats dinner hands down for a first date over 70. It is quieter, the light is better and nobody is driving home in the dark and the rain. Pick somewhere handy for you both, so one of you is not stuck on the M50 while the other strolls round the corner. A country hotel, a cosy pub that does a proper carvery, or a cafe in a walled garden will all do nicely. One word of advice: leave the seafood chowder until you know each other well enough to share a napkin.

2. A Stroll Through The Gardens

A gentle walk takes the pressure off, because you are side by side instead of staring at each other over the sugar bowl. The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, the Phoenix Park, Powerscourt or simply the park down the road all make a lovely setting. Bring a brolly, because this is Ireland, and finish with tea and a scone. If the chat runs dry for a moment, sure the weather will give you plenty more to talk about.

3. Be A Tourist In Your Own Town

When did you last visit a museum in your own town? Most of us have never been, because it was always there. A hop on hop off bus tour lets you see the sights without hunting for parking, and the guides are often great storytellers. Smaller towns have their gems too, from a heritage centre to a castle you have driven past a hundred times. And if you are over 66, do not forget your Free Travel pass for the bus or train.

4. A Matinee And A Cuppa

A film is a perfect first date, because for two hours nobody has to think of something clever to say. Choose an afternoon showing: it is quieter, you are home before dark, and many cinemas do a cheaper rate for older customers, so ask at the counter. Afterwards, find a cafe and have a friendly argument about whether the ending made any sense. A play at the local theatre or a trad session works just as well.

5. Out On The Water

A trip on the water makes a lovely first date. Depending on where you live, that could be a cruise on Lough Corrib, a trip down the Shannon, a boat around Dublin Bay or a ferry across to one of the islands. Wrap up well, because it is always colder on the water than you think, and hold on to your hat.

6. A Visit To The Garden Centre

It may not be rock and roll, but a good garden centre with a cafe is a winner. Wander through the shrubs, compare notes on what the slugs did to your hostas, and finish with a pot of tea and a slice of apple tart. If you both love gardening you will never run out of chat, and if your date knows every plant by its Latin name, you may well have found a keeper.

Wherever you go, meet somewhere public, let a friend or family member know where you will be, and make your own way there and home again. Most of all, enjoy yourselves.

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