Matchmaking Festival, County Clare

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking festival takes place annually in September in the town of Lisdoonvarna. It goes back a long time and was a way for the local single farmers to come to town and find a wife. These days its as much an excuse for a party and a bit of a tourist attraction. Don't go on a Tuesday night though as its all older people waltzing! Supposedly its livelier on the weekends. Avoid sleazy drunk old men in zip up shirts!

Should you happen to be single, visiting in September and looking to be hitched to an Irish lad or Irish lass, head for Lisdoonvarna's annual matchmaking festival. The festival is held in September becauase of tradition, by September the harvest was done and the bachelor farmers would be in search of a wife. Lisdoonvarna became a popular place to come because of the spa here and it was due to the popularity of the spa that matchmaking became quite common here.

The only official matchmaker left today would seem to be more suited for equine pairing as Willie Daly's full time occupation is operating the horse riding center in a nearby town, match making is just a hobby. But the annual festival is Europe's largest single's event, thousands of people come here during September, maybe to find a mate, maybe just to have a good time. It's one festival that I hope I'll never need!