For the love of Lisdoonvarna – Ireland’s Matchmaking Town
County Clare is preparing for the tide of dancing and romancing that rushes in with the upcoming Matchmaking Festival
Picture, for a moment, an Irish farmer in September, carefully reviewing his To Do list and scratching off his tasks:
1. Gather harvest
Dancing and romancing during the festival
Tick.
2. Shoe horses
Tick
His eyes fall to the final line:
3. Find wife
He stands in front of the mirror, straightens the collar on his fresh shirt and drags a comb through his hair. Then off he shuffles with a hopeful whistle out the door and down to the local pub in Lisdoonvarna. A crowd of other farmers are already lining the bar, eyeing up the coy, giggling groups of lassies in the corner, with their hair in curls and their dancing shoes on.
'Put a ring on it!' say the ladies of Lisdoonvarna
You see, this is not just any village local in Ireland. This is Lisdoonvarna in County Clare, and for one month a year, this is THE centre of the matchmaking universe! And this wonderfully cosy scene has been played out each and every September for more years than anyone can actually remember (it’s thought to be between 100 and 200 years old).
This fantastically unique festival has now evolved into the world’s largest singles event: every September the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival draws 20,000 love-seeking pilgrims to its crowded bars and taverns. That’s pretty impressive when you consider this humble village in the midst of the breathtaking Burren is usually home to just 800.
Matchmaker Willie Daly during the festivities
A programme of set dancing, racing and live music sets the scene for some hormone and Guinness-fuelled revelry. This feast of winks, flirts and all-out craic revolves around eagle-eyed cupid Willie Daly; festival organiser, horse trader and third generation matchmaker.
During the festivities you’ll find him, and his precious notebook of love-seeking profiles, in his ‘office’ (aka the snug of The Matchmaker bar). Queuing behind his table is a line of hopeful singles, all ages and nationalities, crossing their fingers and entrusting the man in charge to find them a mate. You may even find the fourth generation of this matchmaking dynasty, Willie’s daughter, Claire, also in attendance, ready to fix you up and get you chatted up.
We told you this is where the magic happens!
These days the event draws a crowd much more diverse than just farmers, and from far across the globe. Blonde oil baroness Jan Carr got the local media in a small frenzy when she breezed in to snag an Irish lad to share her Texas ranch. In fact, quite a few eager American ladies turn up to get onto Willie’s books each year, with others coming over here from as far away as New Zealand.
Not everyone is looking for love, though: one man told the Sunday World he would bring his wife to find “some poor eejit to take her off my hands”! It’s fair to say, though, that everyone’s looking for the craic, and there’s no better place to find it.
The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival takes place from 2 September – 2 October 2011.
If you’re already found your honey, we have info on how to get married in Ireland, and where to go on honeymoon in Ireland.
I can’t tell you how pationate I am about Ireland.
I live in Ottawa, Canada, and have longed to visit Ireland. Unfortunately, the cost of the flight and accomodations are simply not within my budget.
I am a single, 30 year old, 6′, female, with brown hair and green eyes. After reading about the “matchmaking festival” that takes place in County Clare…I feel even more drawn to this magical place. I will scrimp and try and scrape together enough money to get there in time to meet my “knight in shining amour”, but if I am unable to make it, could you please let him know that I am doing my very best to ensure that we are in each other’s presence as soon as it is possible.
Thank you, and best of luck to all of you attending the festival!
[...] got a blog for that. And if you haven’t yet met your honey, it might be time to try the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival in County Clare to meet an Irish [...]
[...] you haven’t yet met your honey, it might be time to try the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival in County Clare to meet an Irish [...]
I am looking for a group that is going this September to the festival
Ooh great idea Mary! I spoke to the matchmaker’s daughter Claire and she said there’s a brilliant atmosphere around town for the festival. She also said if you like dancing you’d love it.
As for finding some comrades to go with you, it may not be a bad idea to start a discussion group on our Facebook page http://goo.gl/PLwW9 and you might find some like-minded people to go dancing with you!
Promise to come back and let us know how you get on!
i´d love to go. I am a single man in my 30´s, I mean if worse comes to worst, and I don´t find my significant other, well at least I can have a good time.
I have always loved Ireland… it has always called to my soul and heart! My dad’s side of the family has some Irish and I always hoped to see it before I died, but money and health has made it impossible to ever make it I believe. This match making sound’s fun, interesting and a different way that I might of met someone who would love me. I’m not into the bar and internet dating thing… but I do hope others find their one cause that can make so many happy!! Good luck to everyone…
I would love to find someone this way, because I’m not into the internet or bar scene to find someone to love. I have always wanted to come to Ireland but due to health and money it probably won’t ever happen. So good luck to everyone and hope they find their one and only!!
Hi I am Bineesh, 27 year old guy from India, i feel so sad because this Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is limited to Ireland. Shall i expect any response of girls from this group ?
Here’s a lovely article you might be interested in. It’s an interview with Claire Daly, the Matchmaker’s Daughter, and how she has already arranged a couple of pairings that led to marriage! http://goo.gl/9ymNg
Maybe there is still hope for me! HA!
Greetings from Toronto, Canada, I have heard wonderful things about the festival. I am of Irish descent on both sides of the family and have travelled to Ireland four times in hte last couple of years. I have yet to journey to the west coast, but would love the opportunity to do so and to partake in such wonderful activities. It is difficutl when you reach your early forties to find someone with not only the same interests but values as well. Hmm, giving serious though about attending.
Tell me about Lisdoonvarna.