A Look At Charleen Murphy’s Dating History With Ex Dano

After months of speculation, Charleen Murphy has officially entered the Love Island villa as a Casa Amor bombshell, instantly shaking up the dynamic among the OG Islanders.

The 27-year-old Irish influencer wasted no time making an impression on arrival, with several contestants already turning their heads as she settles into villa life in Mallorca.

Charleen is already forming strong connections, particularly with Kavan, as sparks have flown during group interactions and challenges.

As her Love Island journey kicks off on screen, we take a look back at her dating history – which has largely centred around her on-off four-year relationship with footballer Dano Mandroiu.

2020: Charleen begins dating Dano

Although Charleen has never publicly revealed exactly when she and footballer Dano started dating, interviews suggest the pair began their relationship around 2020, before she reached the height of her current influencer profile.

By July 2021, Charleen was already publicly speaking about Dano, revealing a previous direct Love Island link as she revealed she was no longer interested in appearing on the shiw because she had met him.

In an interview with EVOKE, she confirmed that she had previously auditioned for Love Island and had been in the running for the show.

“I did audition before, but now I have met Dano so that ship has sailed,” she explained at the time, adding simply: “I have a boyfriend!” before joking that her previous Love Island ambitions had gone out the window after meeting the Shamrock Rovers star.

At this stage, Charleen was still building her online presence, meaning the relationship developed alongside her rise in public visibility rather than after it.

June 2022: Charleen and Dano split for the first time

 

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In June 2022, Charleen confirmed that she and Dano had ended their relationship after around two years together.

Speaking on an episode of her Hold My Drink podcast titled The Break-Up Episode, Charleen insisted that “nothing bad” had happened between the pair and stressed that the breakup was something she “had to do” for herself.

“I think I put a lot of pressure on the relationship with Instagram and stuff,” she admitted.

“People used to always text me saying, ‘Oh my god, you’s are just perfect together, you’re going to be together forever.'”

She also revealed she worried that followers would be disappointed if they broke up, explaining: “I had to do it for me… there was nothing bad. People just wanted there to be something bad.”

The influencer later admitted that the rumours surrounding the breakup were difficult to deal with, saying she spent weeks “in the horrors” while trying to process the split.

January 2023: The couple rekindle their romance

@charleenmurphyyI missed the chance to say ‘say pookie looks like a parisian princess’ 💔♬ original sound – Charleen Murphy

Just months after confirming their breakup, Charleen revealed that she and Dano had rekindled their relationship.

Sharing photos of the pair together on Instagram, she simply captioned the post: “Guess who’s back.”

The reunion delighted fans, with many of Charleen’s friends taking to the comments section to celebrate the pair getting back together.

The influencer had previously hinted she was seeing someone again after sharing snaps with a mystery man on social media, before later confirming that the mystery man was in fact Dano.

June 2023: Charleen shares advice on getting over heartbreak

Months after reuniting with Dano, Charleen candidly spoke to followers about dealing with breakups during an Instagram Q&A.

When one fan said they hoped to reconcile with an ex “like ye”, Charleen encouraged them not to focus on getting back together.

“I think it’s important when you go through a breakup to not expect or anticipate yous getting back together,” she explained.

“I always think if it’s meant to happen it will and if you cling on to hope too much then it actually stops you from actively trying to move on with your life.”

She urged followers to focus on themselves instead, adding: “Do things for yourself again and make yourself feel good and what’s meant to will be.”

March 2024: Charleen opens up about long-distance relationship struggles

 

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By March 2024, Charleen and Dano had been together for around four years. Following their reconciliation, Charleen spoke more openly about the realities of maintaining a long-distance relationship, as Dano was based in the UK playing football while she remained in Dublin.

Speaking to Goss.ie, the influencer said: “I wish he was here, I feel like an empty person,” while attending the awards ceremony alone.

Charleen explained that communication was the key to making the relationship work.

“It’s just about communication and making sure you’re there for each other and talking to each other a lot and making time – it’s hard,” she said.

Across interviews during this period, she consistently described the relationship in stable, positive terms, often highlighting the importance of being with someone who feels like both a partner and a best friend.

January 2026: Charleen confirms their split for a second time

 

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A post shared by Charleen Murphy (@charleenmurphy)

In January 2026, Charleen confirmed that she and Dano had ended their relationship for a second time.

The influencer revealed the news during a TikTok Live after fans noticed the footballer had been absent from her social media.

When asked how she was finding single life, Charleen admitted: “It’s just a new life, it takes getting used to, a new way of life with someone not being in it.”

She also revealed she had been dealing with major life changes and was trying to embrace “the fear of the unknown” and look at it as “the excitement of new things to come.”

During an Instagram Q&A around the same time, she admitted she struggled with change, saying she was working on adjusting to “the fear of the unknown” and what her future might look like.

February 2026: Charleen reflects on heartbreak following her split

In the weeks following the split, Charleen opened up about relationships and heartbreak during an Instagram Q&A.

When asked how someone knows when it is time to leave a relationship, the influencer shared some candid advice.

“I think doubts are natural to have in any situation in life and in relationships at times,” she wrote.

“But if you’re asking yourself or other people when it’s right to leave then it might already be time, your gut might already know before you do what is best.”

She added: “Don’t ignore your feelings and your inner voice. Learn to trust yourself as hard as it can be.”

March 2026: Charleen admits being single in her late twenties is ‘scary’

@charleenmurphyy♥️♬ we can’t be friends (wait for your love) – string version – Ariana Grande

A few months after the breakup, Charleen spoke honestly about navigating single life in her late twenties.

During a TikTok ‘get ready with me’ video, the influencer admitted: “It’s kind of scary becoming single at this age. It’s something that I never thought I’d have to think about.”

She explained that societal pressures and watching friends reach milestones such as engagements had left her feeling “behind in a sense”.

“I just feel like I’m getting older and that aspect of your life is non-existent,” she said.

However, Charleen insisted she was trying not to stress, adding that she had learned that “if something is meant for you, it will come to you regardless.”

Love Island: early sparks in Casa Amor

 

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Now, the Irish blonde bombshell has entered the Love Island villa as part of Casa Amor – and she’s already making waves.

Early interactions show immediate chemistry forming between her and several Islanders, with Kavan quickly emerging as one of the most interested contestants.

With connections already forming and sparks clearly flying, Charleen’s Love Island journey is beginning with instant drama – here’s hoping things between her and Kevin are only just getting started.

Words by Robyn Jane Lawlor

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