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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Marisa Mackle

Inside Love Island's infamous Irish 'curse' from Maura Higgins to Jack Keating and Greg O'Shea

Dubliner Catherine Agbaje hopes to be the first Irish contestant to find true love on Love Island as she entered the TV villa.

The estate agent, 22, has said the experience is the perfect opportunity “to reach my goal to find love” - but no other Irish contestant has so far found a lasting relationship on the hit ITV show.

The 10th series sees a host of new lovelies live together, wearing mostly swimwear for a summer in Majorca, but Catherine could rub other contestants up the wrong way as she describes herself as “outgoing and loud” as well as being “bossy”.

READ MORE: Love Island bombshell as League of Ireland footballer tipped to enter villa

“I can be a bit bossy. Some of my friends and family call me bossy. I just like being in control sometimes and navigating situations.”

She said: “I feel like this is the perfect opportunity to narrow down what I’m actually looking for and reach my goal to find love. I want to get my feelings out there and put myself out there. I want to love, and to be loved - and with no distractions as well."

Dubliner Catherine Agbaje (ITV)

If Catherine finds everlasting love in the villa, she will be the first Irish contestant to achieve that goal

Former contestant turned TV presenter Greg O’ Shea failed to find an everlasting match despite winning the show with Amber Gill. Fitness expert Rob Lipsett from Dublin didn’t find a love match either during his blink-and-you-’ll-miss-it stint on the show.

Longford’s Maura Higgins became a household name after starring on the TV series yet was also unlucky in love in the villa.

Ronan Keating’s son Jack was unsuccessful at winning any female hearts during his Love Island stint last year but has since welcomed a baby daughter, Maya Ann, who has captured his heart.

The flames of love did not ignite for Northern Ireland’s Matthew MacNabb, but he later found love with dance partner Laura Nolan on RTE’s Dancing with the Stars.

And while this year’s Irish hopeful remains positive about finding love, there is one contestant who likely won’t be watching - former Miss Ireland contestant, Shannen Reilly McGrath.

The Tallaght native was on the show in 2017 and has since urged viewers at home to “be kind” to the Love Island contestants after admitting she was bullied following her time on Love Island.

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