"At first, it was kind of a joke, we were just having a laughf then we decided to develop it, " said organiser Laura Larkin. "I think it's really great and it fits in with the festival nicely." Nationalities are at a minimum, as many Irish people seemed to have had the same idea of heading along for an exotic date. Bar a couple of Zimbabweans and a woman just back from Rome, most are relatively local.

Nora Kielty and her cousin Sinead munched on a panini before the dating got under way. "We're just here for the laugh, " they chimed, confessing they had a bit of difficulty getting from Finglas to Dun Laoghaire, never mind locating Harry's bar.

"It's like something out of Sex & The City, isn't it?"

Nora giggled.

Across the room is Liam, who has just moved back to Dublin after 15 years abroad. It's his first time speed dating. "Well, I've just got back from being away for so long, " he stated confidently. "So I thought this would be a fun way to meet some new people."

"All the girls sit on the left, " explained Robert Fitzhugh, one of the festival volunteers who is MCing the evening. "Each person has four minutes to work their magic and then a whistle is blown and they move down one table."

Arnold from Zimbabwe who lives in Bray ordered a drink from the bar. "I'm just here for the fun. It's something I've read about and seen on TV.

Whatever happens, happens, " he smiled. "Just go with the flow."

Eventually, because the mic amplification is too quiet, the barman claps loudly and relative silence falls. The name badges are filled out and with a shrill blow on the whistle, Fitzhugh yells "start dating!"

Immediately, the room bursts with conversation.

The attractive and well turned-out singles smile, nod, listen and chat as the first date ends. Outside, pedestrians, intrigued at the racket, peer in the windows. The whistle blows, and the men move on.

A few hours after the event, they are notified by text and email of their matches, with the idea that a matched couple head along to one of the festival events over the weekend.

Raymond from Zimbabwe is reflective during the interval. "It's ok, " he shrugged. "It's a bit of fun, I'm having a good time. I've met some really interesting people. You get a different vibe from everybody. I'm a bit tipsy, though. Someone said I talk the hind legs off, what is it, a donkey?"

Outside, Liam is chatting to the Finglas girls.

"We're Northsiders, Liam, " one giggles, "is that international enough for ya?"