Are you looking for love, but tired of blind dates and online dating isn’t your style? Do you enjoy social conversation, Irish country music and dancing, and maybe the occasional pint? Then I’ve got just the event for you: the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival!

The tiny town of Lisdoonvarna (pop. under 1,000) on the Wild Atlantic Way has been hosting Europe’s largest matchmaking festival for over 160 years. It’s a month-long festival beginning in September that draws over 40,000 people from all over the world who are looking for love, fun, and a bit of ‘craic.’

Music wafts into the streets from every bar and pub from 11 am until the wee hours of the morning. Top names in country music play as people gather to celebrate life, good music, and fun – of course with an eye open for their true match.

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking History

Matchmaking is one of the rich traditions of rural Ireland. Originally, Lisdoonvarna was a spa town where visiting gentry came to “take the waters.” Parents orchestrated social gatherings with music or sports, so their children could meet and socialize with other “suitable” upper-class children.

When the West Clare Railway opened in 1887, local farmers also had the ability to “vacation” in the spa town. Suddenly, in September after the late summer harvest, bachelor farmers began to flock to Lisdoonvarna looking for a wife. Understandably, coming from remote rural farms, many of these farmers didn’t have much opportunity to practice their social skills and were shy about asking a lady for a date. Enter the matchmaker.

In the nineteenth century, matchmaking happened primarily when people came together for horse and cattle fairs or weddings. If a matchmaker had a reputation for success, the news of their attendance would spread, and people would travel miles for the chance at love.

Modern Day Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking

Today, Willie Daly is Ireland’s top matchmaker. He’s been at it for 45 years, following in the matchmaking path of his father and grandfather. You can find Willie in his “office” at the Matchmaker Bar where he talks to people looking for love and attempts to match them up.

He famously carries around a 150-year-old “Lucky Book” of love-seeking profiles. It’s said that if you touch Willie’s Lucky Book, you’ll be in love and married within six months. There may be something to that claim since Willie is credited with around 3,000 marriages!

The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is for all ages and nationalities; a place to meet people, dance, enjoy music and celebrate life. And just maybe fall in love. If you want to try your luck at finding love in Lisdoonvarna, let your Covington vacation advisor set up your trip.