Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival. The sign welcoming visitors in the little spa town each September. Thousands of singles come
The town's 150-year-old matchmaking festival is the subject of folklore. It inspired Christy Moore to sing about "hairy chests and milk-white thighs", and Brendan Shine to write a song called "Catch Me If You Can". "I'm awful shifty," he said, "for a man of 50. I'm off for the craic, the women and the beer". Things have changed in the world of dating since landowners used to bring their daughters into town and haggle over dowries of cows. Speed-dating and chatrooms have replaced the annual ceilidh for maids looking for a partner. But Lisdoonvarna's matchmaker, Willie Daly, is still doing things the traditional way. "I've been a matchmaker for close on 40 years now," he says. "My father and grandfather had done it before me, and I wasn't planning on doing it, but I could see there was a need for it in the area." The lot of men has not been an easy one of late. "Women in the last 20 years have become considerably more independent. Psychologically, their mind dwells in other places. The grass is always greener. Women travel to the cities and men stay at home. It is very difficult for them." Willie invite singles to come to the Matchmaker's Bar snug and fill a special dating application form. Then he finds out their match!
Size: 5100px × 3400px
Location: Lisdoonvarna, County Clare
Photo credit: © Elisabeth Blanchet / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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