Speed Friending in Wexford
Make real life friends (like it’s 1999) and build a social life you love.
Real Life Friends Club will help you to build a social life you love.
If you (or someone you know) wants to meet new people, Speed Friending events give the opportunity to meet new people and form friendships.
Upcoming Speed Friending Events
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Speed Friending: Kids Club
Make Friends & Make Art in Gorey
Speed Friending (8-11 yrs): with a mixed media art activity - starting 28 March 2026 at Caroline Bergin Art in Gorey, Wexford (this will be a 4 week block) €100
Go to Caroline Bergin Art to book.
carolineberginart.com
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Speed Friending: Mixed Social
Saturday, 21 March 2026, 4-6pm
The Sky & the Ground, Wexford Town
Early bird €15
Standard Ticket €20
2 for 1 €20/€10 each
Featured in The Irish Independent
Helping people in Wexford meet, connect and belong by creating spaces for connection with speed friending and tackling loneliness in rural communities.
Speed Friending: Mixed Social at
The Sky & the Ground, Wexford Town
What is Speed Friending?
Speed Friending is designed to spark genuine connections — not just small talk.
It’s a relaxed and friendly way to meet new people and expand your social circle. Whether you’re new to the area or simply want to meet new people, this event makes it easy and natural to form new friendships.
This is about real conversations, shared interests, and meeting others who are also open to making new connections.
How it works
You’ll have a series of short, one-on-one chats (around 5 minutes each). When the bell rings, you’ll move on to someone new. Conversation cards are available to help spark meaningful discussions.
All you need to bring is an open mind.
Events are held in welcoming local spaces such as community venues, cafés, and pubs.
It’s OK to come alone — most people do.
Who can come?
Adults of all ages are welcome. Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, connecting with people from different backgrounds and life stages brings fresh perspectives and meaningful friendships.
It’s not about age — it’s about genuine connection.
Our Mission
Founded in Wexford, Ireland, Real Life Friends Club is on a mission to bring real-life connection to communities everywhere.
Speed Friending sessions— curated spaces that spark genuine connection, one conversation at a time. A coffee, conversation and local experiences that remind you life’s still good right here.
Every gathering is part of something bigger — a growing Friends & Finds Guide to local gems, cosy spots, and connection-based experiences that help you belong where you are. Think of it as your local guide to connection — not just what’s on, but where to belong.
Less screen time. More face time — in real life.
✨ Join the Movement: meet new people, try new things and fall in love with where you live. Real life is waiting outside the scroll….
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"I went to Rebecca’s speed friending event in Gorey a couple of weeks ago and honestly loved it. There was a great crowd of women and it really opened my eyes to how many people are at a bit of a loose end socially and don’t always know how to build friendships at this stage of life. The 5–7 minute chats were fun and easy, but the highlight was the group conversation at the end, great energy and real connection. Some of the girls even went for a drink after, and the following week I met two girls for coffee. Even without expecting a close bond, it’s just lovely getting to know new people. Rebecca’s events genuinely add value to society by filling a growing social gap, and I think it’s a sustainable business with huge potential."
—Mary
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"Even after living here for a few years, I was still finding it really hard to make friends in Wexford. I discovered Rebecca’s Friends Group in Gorey and went along...now I go whenever I can. I’ve met such lovely girls, and even though we’re all different, we just click. Rebecca makes everyone feel welcome and truly part of the group!!! I’m so grateful for it and would highly recommend it to any ladies out there feeling lonely 💛
—Melissa
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"This was my second time at one of Rebecca’s events. The location was perfect, very welcoming and warm. The group of women that attended were great and there was so much chatting going on it was amazing. No awkward silences so don’t worry if you’re thinking of attending. And each interaction is only 5 mins regardless! Some of us even stayed afterwards to talk some more. I’d love to meet up with the group again. Highly recommend trying it out 🙂"
-Carole
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I was quite apprehensive about going at first, but the atmosphere Rebecca created was so relaxed and welcoming that it felt easy from the start. The questions were thoughtful and a little different, which helped people connect beyond small talk. I met some really lovely people and have already caught up again for coffees and made plans to meet again. I’m genuinely delighted I went and really looking forward to the next one. Huge thanks to Rebecca for setting it up.
- Kinga
“Every person is a new door to a different world.”
Ireland
The Irish Independent — Interview
Beat 102–103 — Radio Interview
South East Radio - Radio Interview
Newstalk — Radio Discussion
Beat 102–103 — Radio Interview
KCLR — Regional Coverage
Australia
ABC Radio — Interview (Perth)
96FM — Regional Coverage (Perth)
New Zealand
Next Magazine — Editorial
Press & Media
Coming soon: Friends & Finds Guide
Coming Soon: The Friends & Finds Guide
Last winter, I found myself in my first Irish winter — missing the Aussie warmth, The cold, grey days made me feel disconnected and frozen out of life. That’s when it hit me and I realised something powerful: if I can’t find the sun, I need to be the sun. I asked myself, what makes me come alive? Trying new things and meeting new people! The Friends & Finds Guide exists from that moment - a vision for warmer days, even in the rain. That’s how the Real Life Friends Club was born.
It’s your curated companion for discovering local gems, connection-based events, and experiences that help you meet people, try new things, and truly feel part of your community.
Whether you’re exploring solo or with friends, this guide will show you the places and moments where you can belong.
Stay tuned — your next adventure (and maybe a new friendship) is just around the corner.
Not just what’s on — where to belong.
If you’re a connection-based business and would like to be featured in the founding edition for free, please email hello@reallifefriendsclub.com.
Hi, I’m Rebecca Smith Andreou
👋 Meet Your Host
The Story
Hi! I’m Rebecca, an Australian now living in Gorey. As a (nearly!) 40-year-old woman, mother, and photographer. I love meeting and connecting people. I’ve been running Speed Friending and friendship events for over 10 years in Australia & New Zealand—helping people create lifelong friendships. It all began when I relocated and found myself in need of new friends. Whether I was in my hometown of Perth, Australia, or when I moved to Melbourne, New Zealand, or Ireland, one thing became clear—no matter where you are, people crave more opportunities to connect and build meaningful friendships.
That’s how Speed Friending started and the rest is history.
✨ Want to know how it all started? Read about it in this New Zealand Next Magazine feature here!
Do you have any questions? Please email me (a real human) hello@reallifefriendsclub.com
“Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”―Howard Thurman
Real Conversations
Real Friendships
Real Life
Real Conversations Real Friendships Real Life
FAQs
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Real Life Friends Club is about helping people meet new friends, try new things, and fall in love with where they live. We host small, connection-based events like Speed Friending and local experiences, and we’re creating the Friends & Finds Guide — a curated list of cosy spots, workshops, and community gems that make it easier to belong.ion text goes here
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To start, our gatherings are female-only, creating a relaxed, welcoming space for women to connect. As interest grows, we’ll also host mixed events — because connection belongs to everyone.n text goes here
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Not at all — most people come alone! Every event is designed to make it easy to chat, laugh, and meet others naturally. You’ll be welcomed from the moment you arrive.iption text goes here
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Our signature event is Speed Friending, a fun and pressure-free way to meet people through meaningful conversations. We also run small community experiences — from coffee mornings and creative workshops to seasonal gatherings.
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Tickets range from €10–€15.
Weekday sessions are €10 (introductory rate), and weekend sessions are €15.
Special evening events range from €30–€50 depending on the venue, extras and experience.
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It’s a seasonal, curated guide featuring local gems, connection-based experiences, and things to do that help you feel more alive where you are. Think of it as a mix between a lifestyle guide and a community map — not just what’s on, but where to belong.
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Absolutely. Our events are intentionally gentle, small, and well-facilitated. You’ll never be put on the spot — it’s all about creating a space where connection feels natural.
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Local cafés, studios, and community spaces can partner with us to host events or be featured in the Friends & Finds Guide. If you’d like to collaborate, email hello@reallifefriendsclub.com.
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You can sign up to our mailing list for event dates, new guides, and local connection opportunities — or follow us on Instagram/Facebook @reallifefriendsclub.
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Real Life Friends Club is growing — and we’re looking for warm, friendly people who love helping others feel welcome. Our Hosts are the heartbeat of the club: they greet guests, spark conversation, and create spaces for connection in their towns. Whether you want to help at events, suggest local gems, or grow a Friends Club in your area, we’d love to have you involved.
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Founded in Wexford, Ireland, Real Life Friends Club is on a mission to bring real-life connection to communities everywhere.