Matchmaking in Lisdoonvarna
The little village of Lisdoonvarna in the West of Ireland is known for one annual festival that draws in romantics from across the country and around the world. The Matchmaking Festival fills the town for the entire month of September. And no one is busier than Willie Daly. He’s a third-generation matchmaker.
“It’s about listening to people and matching them up. My grandfather did it, my father did and now I am the town’s matchmaker.”
He has the giant leather book where the notes on those looking for love are kept. And hd has it down to quite a process. He encourages those he sees as matches, to dance. Then he moves around rematching couples to find the right chemistry.
It’s a rowdy, month long event, that has grown from a long weekend to a week to two weeks to an entire month. Farmers come in from the rural areas, ladies interested seem to congregate together, some wait for his direction, others just jump in when the music moves them.
Some are there just for an evening of fun, others are seriously looking for a longterm match.
Just plan ahead, if you plan on going, because it’s a very popular event every year!