How DO YOU meet people?

I know this is a classic question but...seeing as there is a solution for everything else in here it could be worth a try! I would really like to make new friends and meet interesting people (sounds cliched but true). I'm in my 30's, have good solid friendships but we're all tied up in our own busy lives in many ways. Not interested in the drinking culture, cant really join evening classes - living in rural ireland, options arent great and work 2 evenings as it is. I have poked my head into some of the dating websites but not drawn to them. dont shoot me for saying this but some can seem very sexual and others seem desperate to bag a wife. Is there anywhere that people just join to enjoy and meet and leave the rest up to whatever happens? Are there men who would like to go for dinner/dancing classes/cinema without going in for the kill!! I know I'm being a little tongue-in-cheek but i would love to know if others have found a way around this. (I know I'm not the only one who thinks like this, i just have not yet discovered how to find the others!) Looking forward to hearing back.....

what about maybefriends? Its quite versatile, a friend and myself joined a few years ago - she wanted new friends to socialise with, i wanted dates. They run social events where members can go to interact and meet other people without the pressure of it being a date. Also the interactions between members online is not too pressured along the 'trying to bag a wife' or other unsavoury lines!!! (I have no connection other than a breif foray into the world of online dating).

Other than that the best recommendation I can make for you is to join something where you DO meet people - some kind of sport, dancing classes, drama classes, reading groups etc....

Maybe Set Dancing classes/workshops. All ages, bit of craic, good exercise.

Dasein said:

- Are there men who would like to go for dinner/dancing classes/cinema without going in for the kill!!

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Yep, go to ballroom dancing classes every week, and have a ball

They are always looking for extra men, so I go to the beginners and continuation on my own, (my wife and I go to the advanced).. I am married, so no killing or injuring involved. Good exercise and meet some great people.

However, since

Dasein said:

cant really join evening classes -

That kind of knocks it on the head, since that is where most people go for classes.

Don't take this up the wrong way, but you may have to make more of an effort, due to your location etc.

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Since you live in a rural area, have you tried Macra Ne Feirme? They're not just for farmers, they organize lots of social events for people in rural areas and small towns so you'll probably find like-minded people there.

Also, don't knock maybefriends. You can set up your profile to specify what you're looking for. You might still get the "bag a wife" and "only after the legover" types, but you can easily screen them out online.

Thats a shame, its not really going to be possible to give constructive comments to the original query of the OP cant give feedback.

Have you tried MeetUp.com? Lots of different interest groups.. site takes a bit of navigation but persist and you'll find Ireland.
Also, plentyoffish organises some great singles nights. Look in the Forums, General Discussions, Getogethers.
And try things like amateur dramatics - they also want people to paint scenery not just act!
Basicaly, join something in which you're interested. You'll get to know a lot of people that way.