Mayo woman bringing single people together through Match West
By Tom Gillespie
A 32-year-old Westport secondary school teacher is launching a series of events to bring single people together.
Marion Coulon hopes to introduce like-minded people to each other through dinner dates, outdoor hikes, cycle outing, cooking classes and whiskey and wine tasting sessions.
Marion came up with the idea during Covid lockdown when she established her business project - Match West.
Her first event takes place this Saturday (March 26) and consists of a three-course meal in Cobblers Bar at the Wyatt Hotel at the Octagon, Westport, commencing at 6 p.m.
Marion told me how she came up with the Match West idea.
She said: "I have been single for a few years and have experienced the highs and lows of dating in the 21st century.
"About 10 years ago, Tinder was launched which was a huge success amongst 20 to 30-year-olds. Many of my friends are now married as they jumped on the Tinder bandwagon and snatched themselves a great catch!
"Over the years, many apps were introduced which made it difficult for people to meet online.
"Frightening stories emerged in the media and later on Netflix. New terms were introduced in our social circles such as ghosting and bread crumbing, which created anxiety amongst people when meeting new people and dating."
She went on: "I was never a fan of online dating and often relied on meeting men on nights out, at the gym or at the local supermarket. Many friends on the other hand both in Westport and Dublin persevered with little success at dating either.
"During the lockdown, as you can imagine, it was nearly impossible to meet people let alone go dating.
"As restrictions improved, going for a walk and coffee became the new and only way to date. This is something that I was allergic to or even the thought of it.
"As time passed, many of my friends became busy due to family commitments and I am still single.
"I saw the need for a single community and to create single events in the west. This is when the idea of Match West was born.
"I saw the need to give single people the opportunity to make connections, socialise and date again. For that reason, my new business idea is an exciting service which will be providing singles with an opportunity to meet like-minded people through day and evening events in Mayo."
Her three-course meal on Saturday in the Cobblers Bar will give attendees an opportunity to meet other groups of single people.
Marion went on: "The idea is to sit with a different group for each course to provide variety and to maximise the amount of people you speak to on the night.
"We will then go to The Gallery, Wine & Tapas Bar at Brewery Place for wine tasting while listening to soulful music by resident DJ Tom."
Tickets are currently available on eventbrite, Singles night: Dinner and Wine Tasting, Westport, and cost €80.93 for the night.
Future events, she said, will include cycles, hikes, cooking classes, whiskey tasting and much more and she will be opening up events for different age groups.
Marion concluded: "I look forward to teaming up with local businesses, hope to help single people make true connections, possible friendships but more importantly find love."
Marion is available for queries through MatchWest on Instagram or on matchwestevents@gmail.com.